Head Coach Steven Schumacher says that Wanderers must “stay focused and stay positive” ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League One fixture away at Port Vale, with the Whites aiming to return to winning ways.
Unbeaten in 13 games, Wanderers’ final outing before the international break takes them to Vale Park, where Jon Brady’s Valiants await.
Schumacher is mindful of the challenge that his side will face in Staffordshire this weekend. Wanderers are set to be backed by nearly 3,000 travelling supporters.
Previewing the contest, he told Wanderers TV: “A win would send everybody into the break in a really good mood, we need to not forget that we are unbeaten since 10th January, so we’ve got to stay focused and stay positive.
“They (Port Vale) are a team who can cause you a huge problem. They were good against us in Jon (Brady’s) second game in the Vertu Trophy when they knocked us out.
"They have also shown at home that they can be dangerous, they’ve beaten Bristol City and Sunderland recently, and had a really good result against Huddersfield, which could have gone either way, where they drew the game, so it will be a tough game.
“The pitch plays a part in it, so we have to be mindful of that and play in the right areas, try and pass the ball and get our players on it in the final third if possible and find a way to win the game.
“We don’t want to be getting dragged into a fight which probably suits Port Vale more than us, when we get a chance to play in the spaces there, we have to try and open the pitch up and pass the ball, but more importantly to get people into good areas and in positions to score.
“We have to guard against what they are good at, the set-pieces, restarts and putting you under pressure, so we’ll see two sides of the game from us this weekend.
“You can’t just be a team who enjoy being in possession of the football all the time, you’ve got to fight and scrap and put your bodies on the line and try and get promoted, that’s what successful teams are all about.
“We’ve drawn a couple of games this week that we felt we’ve played well enough to win, so try and win this one.
“We’re getting to the run-in, we’re in the final eight games of the season, it’s going to be exciting and there will be twists and turns yet I’m sure but we’re still in the hunt to get promoted, that was the objective so everybody should be excited.
“Our travelling fans have been brilliant all season so hopefully we can reward them with another good performance and hopefully three points.”
Schumacher also provided an injury update on Amario Cozier-Duberry and Corey Blackett-Taylor.
“Amario has been on the grass with the fitness coaches and the medical team. The plan for him is to join back in with the group the back end of next week in a limited capacity, some non-contact stuff initially, so he’s getting closer. He’s in week 10 of his 12-week prognosis, so he is doing well," Schumacher added.
“Corey was a serious one, we don’t know exactly yet the timescale, but we won’t see him for a little while or potentially again which is disappointing as he’s done so well for us.”
Watch Steven’s pre-match interview in full by clicking here!