Crewe Alexandra manager, David Artell, has told the club’s official website that Port Vale have improved under John Askey.
The former Macclesfield and Shrewsbury manager was appointed manager of the Valiants in February and helped the club avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap.They finished comfortably above the drop zone in the end.
A deserved 1-0 win over Crewe Alexandra in April went a long way to seeing the Valaints safe and Artell appreciates that it will be another tough game against our local neighbours this weekend.
Ahead of the first derby of the season, Artell said: “Port Vale are better this season than last season and I think John would say that as well. I saw an interview with him the other day and he said that ‘he hopes the Vale fans are seeing the fruits of their labour’ and I think they are.
“They have certainly improved, they are heading in the right direction and it will be a tough challenge. They certainly play more football under John and are not as direct.
The boss added: “There will be an element of having to stand up to them. It happens in all games, especially derby games and if that is for 90, 60, 30 or for the first 20 minutes, we will have to be ready for that.”