Chris Martin believes that a bit of reverse psychology by Micky Adams has paid dividends as Vale now occupy a play-off spot for the first time this season.
Adams famously put the entire Port Vale squad on the transfer list in September and since then they have gone from strength to strength with Saturday’s a 2-1 win over League Two leaders Notts County seeing them move in to a play-off spot at just the right time of the season.
“It was a kick up the back-side for all of the lads,” the 19 year old goalkeeper told BBC Radio Stoke.
“We’ve become better players and better as a team because of it.”
Adams chose to make his squad available for transfer after losing to the Magpies in the reverse fixture at Meadow Lane, and admitted he used it as a tactic to get the best out of his squad.
“I played a bit of a psychological game with them,” Adams told BBC Radio Stoke. “I don’t think they fell for it and I don’t think anybody fell for it.”
“But from that day they’ve shown real character to defy the odds and we’ve got a bit of momentum going.”