Two minute guide to: Burnley
Port Vale kick off their new campaign with a Capital One cup clash (try saying that without your teeth in) against Burnley. OVF previews the action…
Last time we met
The two sides met in the FA Cup in 2010 in what was Jim Gannon’s (boo!) first game in charge of Vale. The match ended 4-2 to Burnley with Rob Taylor scoring both Vale goals.
Overall record
The two sides have met 42 times. Vale have won 11, Burnley have won 15 and there have been 16 draws. This is the first time the two sides have met in the league cup.
Connections
Veteran striker Ron Futcher was sold to Burnley by John Rudge for a frankly jaw-dropping £60,000 – a profit of £25,000 on the 34 year-old. Other players to appear for both sides include Ron Jepson, Peter Swan, Steve Harper, Danny Sonner, Alan Lee, Gareth Taylor, Marc McGregor, Kevin Young and Ray Deakin.
Man in charge
Eddie Howe was appointed by Bunley in 2011. The former Bournemouth boss has been in charge for 74 games, winning 30, drawing 16 and losing 28. Despite being just 34 years of age, Howe has now managed over 175 games.
Dangerman
Striker Charlie Austin, if he plays (see Team News) could cause Vale’s defence problems. The 23 year-old was snapped up from Swindon Town and scored 17 times last season.
The build-up…
Many Vale fans will be grateful that they have a team to watch after the horrendous events of recent weeks. We’re even still waiting to see this season’s new home kit and Vale will instead line-up in a pink third strip . Manager Micky Adams said that the last week “has been as tough as they get” as matters off-field dominated the headlines.
A reminder that the Railway stand (top portion of the Railway NOT the Paddock) and family stand will not be open.
It’s been a different story for Burnley, whose main summer activity was the sale of star striker Jay Rodriguez, who joined Southampton early in the summer for £7 million.
Team news
Gareth Owen picked up an injury on Saturday and is likely to miss out, while Lewis Haldane and Rob Taylor are also unavailable through injury. New signings Chris Neal, Richard Duffy, Jennison Myrie-Williams, Darren Murphy and Ashley Vincent could all make their Vale debuts.
Burnley will be missing Marvin Bartley, Danny Ings and Keith Treacy through injury. In fact, the visitors could be without any senior strikers as former Stoke forward Martin Paterson and Sam Vokes are on International duty for Northern Ireland and Wales. Meanwhile, the prolific Charlie Austin missed training on Monday after his partner gave birth.
Form
Vale: W-L-W-L-D *
Burnley: D-L-D-D-W *
* Last season’s form
Pre-match talk
“You have to play as well as you possibly can, your goalkeeper has to play well, you have to have the rub of the green, of course, and then hope the bigger team come with the attitude that all they have to do is turn up to win. If you get all of those ingredients together, which is a massive ask, then you have half a chance.” – Micky Adams
“I have been to Port Vale several times and never had an easy game, but we are looking to hit the ground running and we are looking for a really good performance to hopefully give everyone a lot of confidence.” – Eddie Howe
Trivia
Burnley are one of only three teams to have won all top four professional divisions of English football.