by Michael Baggaley

WINGER Rob Taylor feared he wouldn't still be at Port Vale this season when Dean Glover was manager.

But the left-sided player staked his claim for a first-team place in some style as he cracked an 87th-minute winner against Premier League Wolves on Wednesday.

He hopes that will help force his way into Micky Adams's plans after a frustrating first year at Vale Park.

He should get the chance to further his case tomorrow when Vale play a pre-season friendly at Stafford Rangers (3pm).

Taylor, aged 24, was signed from Nuneaton by Lee Sinnott, but fell out of favour once he was sacked as manager and replaced by his assistant Glover in October.

Taylor started only 10 league games last season and questioned his future with Vale before Glover was axed at the end of last season.

He said: "If Dean Glover had stayed I might not have got another chance, but that's football. Everyone has their own opinions.

"I was probably going to go out on loan last year, but then got a chance here in January. I took it, but then things slowed down towards the end of the season again.

"I am looking forward to getting opportunities this year, but the only way you can cement your place in the team is to keep doing the business."

Taylor's 16-yard winner, after beating defender Kevin Foley, followed an even more spectacular 20-yard strike at Rocester last week.

Now he hopes to show he can do the same in League Two as he enters the final year of his contract.

He said: "That's what I can do if given the chance, but I have to show that every time I play.

"This could be my last season in professional football, so I have to work damn hard to make sure it isn't. I would love to get another contract here but, if not, get one somewhere else.

"The manager has spoken to the team in general and he's expecting big things from us.

"He's a very experienced manager and I am sure he will get the best out of all of us.

"Confidence is pretty high, training seems to be going well and I think we are all a lot fitter than we were last season."

Taylor's chances of finding a place in the first-team are improved by the fact he is left-footed.

The departure of Paul Edwards has meant a dearth of left-sided players in the squad, which is why Adams has taken former Walsall and Hereford left-back Kris Taylor on trial.

Adams said: "We've not got too many naturally left-sided players. Rob Taylor is definitely left-sided, but when Lee Collins plays at left-back, he is naturally right-footed.

"I always think that, for the balance of the side, natural left-sided players are a must."

Adams started with a 3-5-2 against Wolves, but finished the game with a 4-4-2.

He is certainly leaning towards the three-at-the back system to start the season, but will experiment again at Stafford.

He added: "The fitness is coming and we are about where we want to be.

"But there's a long way to go yet and we will tinker with the system again on Saturday.

"We have employed the (3-5-2) system twice and have won both games. I think it looks slightly negative at times, but at least we have a foothold in games."

Rangers manager Chris Brindley expects his players to rise to the occasion in what he anticipates will be their toughest pre-season test.

Brindley said: "It is a good fixture for us and Vale will bring a strong side.

"We might not see much of the ball, but I am looking to our lads to raise their game and it will be a good fitness exercise."

Rangers have raised the £50,000 required to save their skins and Brindley has put all manner of players through their paces as he rebuilds his team for the challenge of Blue Square North.

Rangers have lost four of their five pre-season games and only scraped home by the only goal against Stone Old Alleynians in midweek.

Brindley said: "We have been looking at lots of players, some impressive others unimpressive, as we search to uncover a gem.

"I will be including another couple of new lads against Vale and after the weekend I will trim the squad down to 16 to 17 players."

Brindley, a former Wolves centre-half, is an old adversary of new Vale assistant manager Geoff Horsfield, having played against him for Hednesford against Halifax in the Conference.

Stafford Rangers v Port Vale, Marston Road, 3pm