'The only way is up' - Vale boss Moore upbeat

Port Vale boss Darren Moore says he has been getting his squad to believe the "only way is up" as they try to stay in touch with safety in League One.

The Valiants are bottom of the table, seven points adrift, and will attempt to prevent that gap growing when they face anther team threatened with relegation, Peterborough United, on Saturday.

Moore's side are on an encouraging run of three unbeaten in all competitions but are chasing their first league win since the end of September when Posh come to Vale Park.

"The only way is up," Moore told BBC Radio Stoke.

"That's the clear message. We have to keep the performances going and the [spirit of] oneness going.

"It can change in a split second. One win can change the whole dynamic."

The only wins Vale have had since beating Barnsley 10 league games ago have been in cup competitions but they did take a well-earned point at play-off chasing Luton Town last time out.

"We feel we're in the room in terms of our performances achieving that [a win] but we know how hard they are [to get]," Moore said.

"The group understand that and they're working incredibly hard to achieve it.

"We want to start looking, and climbing, up so we've got targets to aim for.

"All of us have to give more because what we're giving at the moment is not satisfactory.

"So we need to get in a position where we do feel satisfied and we're not there yet."

Despite their long run without a league win and their perilous-looking position, Moore said it is vital his squad stays mentally strong.

"The minute one game finishes it's 'turn the page' and on to the next one," he said.

"We know what we need to do on the ball on Saturday, and the bits and pieces off it, if we're to make it a positive weekend.

"The performances over recent weeks have been encouraging but we need more."