Port Vale keeper Chris Martin says mind games paid off

Micky Adams has lost just 13 of his 52 games in charge of Port Vale

Chris Martin believes the decision by Micky Adams to put the entire Port Vale squad on the transfer list in September has helped to galvanise the team.

Vale moved into the play-off places for the first time this season with a 2-1 win over League Two leaders Notts County at Vale Park on Saturday.

"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."

Vale's top scorer Marc Richards and midfielder Kris Taylor netted the goals that put Vale up to seventh position, and with their goal difference better than the teams around them, Richards believes that could prove to be vital at the end of the season.

"It's good to have a plus goal difference, because last year we had something ridiculous," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"It proves what a good job that the manager has done by bolstering our defence, and our attacking options are also very good."