Anthony Griffith has started all nine league games for Vale this season

Anthony Griffith wants Port Vale to show a nastier side to their game, in an attempt to end their run of six successive defeats in all competitions.

A group of unhappy fans stayed outside Vale Park after last Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Notts County, protesting at the situation on and off the pitch.

But Griffith told BBC Radio Stoke: "We need to be a lot more aggressive.

"I think the crowd will get behind us if we're more nasty, and they'll love it if they see that side to us."

Griffith, 21, who signed for Vale on a free transfer from Doncaster Rovers in May, has pinpointed the team's weakness at defending set-pieces as another area that they can improve on.

"It is a weak point in our game," he said. "We're working on it day in, day out.

"I think we've conceded about 15 goals this season and 12 of those have come from set-pieces. We need to put a stop to it."

Vale, who have now slumped to 19th in League Two, appointed Dean Glover as their new manager on Monday.

Having been in caretaker charge for the last two of Vale's six straight defeats, Glover will take official control of the team for the first time on Saturday at free-scoring Shrewsbury.