Cheltenham Town FC

Mark Yates hopes to pick up all six points over the Easter weekend but knows it will be tough

Manager Mark Yates speaking to the media ahead of Good Friday's trip to Port Vale...

"These are two games (Port Vale and Northampton) in a short space of time against two sides who are both going for it like we are so if we win both it will really propel us. We're trying to take all six points but we know it's tough. Nobody's taking a place from 2nd to 7th and we've got two really tough games.

"Everybody's got tough games and we've got to take it one game at a time. We'll worry about Friday first then we'll worry about Northampton. Port Vale are a good side, particularly at home and on a big pitch. They've got good striking options but we just need to make sure we're as good as we have been. I think we've been decent. They were shocking conditions last time at Barnet and we tried to win the game but we just couldn't see it through.

"I haven't looked back over the Barnet game. The boys worked extremely hard and the conditions took a lot out of the squad. We've had a good couple of days to recover now and we'll prepare as normal for Port Vale now.

"They've predominantly played 4-4-2 this season by the looks of it with two strikers up top who have been scoring goals so it works for them. They'll have a game plan and we'll do what we do best. We'll play our game on a slightly bigger pitch but it's only a couple of yards bigger than normal.

"We've all got to hold our nerve now with our final six games to go and see where it takes us. We've just got to take one game at a time. Our thoughts and focus right now are purely on Port Vale. I'll pick a team on Friday to win the game and deal with Monday afterwards.

"We've always known Sam Deering is a great player but I don't think we found the right formula to get him in the side on a regular basis. He had a spell at the start of the season and a bit in the middle but the team hasn't picked itself for an eight game stretch say, and we've only lost nine games all season - the second best record in the league. We've not scored that many and when Sam's been in he's been unlucky and causes teams problems and he's playing well now long may that continue.

"Russ Penn is struggling with his knee and Mohamed picked up a niggle on Saturday so he's a doubt at the minute. They aren't serious injuries but they may miss a game or two but we'll see where they are later but they won't be training."