STEADY PROGRESS
Vale boss Askey is gunning for success in league and cup
Port Vale boss John Askey on their start to the season
AMBITIOUS manager John Askey believes Port Vale have already made ‘steady progress’ this season – but is determined to strive for more.
Resurgent Vale headed into the weekend in tenth place in League Two, just two points off the play-offs. They are also through to the second round of the FA Cup following their fine 1-0 win at League One strugglers MK Dons last Saturday and into the knockout stages of the Leasing.com Trophy.
It’s a far cry from when Askey took the reins in February with a remit of keeping the club in the Football League. There was also a poisonous relationship between unpopular owner Norman Smurthwaite and fed-up Vale fans.
“It’s been a steady progression,” the 55-year-old told The
FLP. “Last year was about saving the club, which we did, and we now have new owners (Carol and Kevin Shanahan) which has brought a feelgood factor back.
“You are always hoping that if you do things right, you’ll start the season well. We haven’t got a fantastic budget, it’s one of the smallest, but I’m used to that. We’ve created a good spirit and the players have bought into what we’re trying to do. They’re working very hard and are very fit.”
Heading into yesterday’s home game against Carlisle, Vale were unbeaten on their own patch in League Two this term. Impressive victories in their last two away games at high-flying Bradford and Crewe have also shown they can mix it with the best.
“The players have loads of confidence and we need to push on now,” said Askey. “It won’t be easy, though. I’ve been in football for a long time and know that sometimes you can take one step forward and then two back.
“We need to keep it going and if we are in and around it come January, we can look up the table rather than down. That’s the main aim – keep pushing and get as close as we can to the play-off positions.”
At least Askey knows he has the full support of the club’s new owners to do just that.
“Their arrival has given everyone a lift,” said Askey, whose dad Colin was a Vale legend in his playing days while he was also on the club’s books as a youngster.
“We’ve got two owners who really care about the club. They do everything they possibly can to ensure that my job is as easy as possible.
Care
“For example, a lad had his car smashed into recently and they provided him with a replacement car straight away. Things like that go a long way with players.
“A footballer likes to have an excuse, but they are taking away the excuses. They treat people like they would want to be treated.”
With Vale progressing in both the FA Cup and Leasing. com Trophy, games are coming thick and fast, but Askey is confident they can handle an increased workload.
“At the moment it’s not affecting us,” said the former Shrewsbury boss. “The FA Cup is a Saturday game, but if you start to draw games, the fixtures mount up. In the Trophy, we’ve been able to field players who haven’t been playing.
“We have had quite a few injuries, but the players who came in have done well.”
While Port Vale’s fortunes are on the up, Askey has been saddened to see the plight of his former club, Macclesfield Town. Already a Macc legend from his playing days, he cemented his status by guiding the club into the EFL in 2017-18.
However, financial problems have dogged the Silkmen recently with players going on strike ahead of last weekend’s humiliating FA Cup defeat against Non-League Kingstonian over unpaid wages.
Askey added: “The situation at the club is disgraceful and it’s a shame it’s been allowed to happen.
“They should have pushed on when they got promotion, but there’s no structure there. I feel sorry for the supporters – they are being short-changed. It’s a mess and I fear the worst.”