Port Vale: Millers will pose our toughest test, warns Pope

TOM Pope reckons Rotherham United will be the team to beat if Port Vale are to win the race for promotion from League Two.

The 26-year-old striker fears the big-spending Millers could take the division by storm next season.

And after a quick scan of the fixture list, Pope is looking no further than his former club for the likely title-winners.

"Rotherham have spent loads of money already and they're the obvious bet," said Pope.

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"I don't know what their wage bill must be, but they are backed by a wealthy chairman in businessman Tony Stewart, who is prepared to put his money where his mouth is.

"They have signed a few players already and there are probably more to come."

One of those signings was former Crewe youngster Michael O'Connor, the Northern Ireland international midfielder, and Pope says signings of that quality are a signal of intent by new manager Steve Evans.

"He is supposedly one of the most disliked men in football, but he can't be that bad if he is signing all these decent players," added Pope.

"They will definitely be tough to beat, but we did the double over them last year, so maybe we can do it again."

Pope, right, who spent two seasons at the Don Valley Stadium from July 2009, will hope to be part of a Vale team due to entertain Rotherham in a tough-looking run of fixtures during September.

Home games against Torquay, last year's beaten play-off semi-finalists, and Rotherham are followed by the long journey south to play Plymouth Argyle.

After another testing trip, this time to promoted Fleetwood, and a home game against Gillingham, the month is completed at Bradford City.

Pope reckons Fleetwood and perennial yo-yo clubs Chesterfield and Wycombe could also be in the frame ... along with the Valiants.

"Fleetwood look like they are getting a decent side together, although they have not spent as much as people thought they might.

"Chesterfield and Wycombe will also be towards the top I would have thought – they usually are."

Pope, who agreed a new one-year deal with Vale last week, reckons it all adds up to a tougher division than last year, but he is backing Micky Adams to keep his own club in the promotion picture.

"The gaffer has had his hands tied while we are in administration, but he is a great manager.

"It will be difficult for him as he won't have much time left to bring in new players, but he'll produce the goods."