Two minute guide to: Chesterfield
Chesterfield are the next League Two side to visit Vale Park and ahead of the game we present our quick guide to Vale’s latest opponents.
Man in charge
Paul Cook took over from John Sheridan in October following Chesterfield’s slow start to the season. Cook will be in charge of his ninth game on Saturday – his Spireites record stands at four wins, one draw and three defeats. Cook was previously in charge of Accrington for 33 games.
Last time we met
Chesterfield won 2-0 back in April thanks to goals from Jack Lester and Deane Smalley.
Overall record
Chesterfield have won 37 compared to Vale’s 31 and there have been 21 draws. Vale don’t boast a great home record against Chesterfield – with two defeats and a draw in their last three home games against the Spireites.
Featured connection
It would be hard to cover Vale’s game against Chesterfield without mentioning Marc Richards. Ninth in the club’s all-time scoring charts with 75 goals, Richards ended a five year stay with Vale to join the Spireites in the summer.
After a slow start to the season, Richards has hit three goals in his last six games for his new club.
Other connections
Chesterfield’s squad contains two ex-Valiants in addition to Richards with both Sam Togwell and Jay O’Shea having loan spells at Vale Park and Danny Whitaker spending two years with the Valiants. Current Vale coach Rob Page finished his playing career at Chesterfield. Other players to appear for both sides include Craig Davies, Paul Harsley, Mark Innes, Colin Tartt, John Ridley, Martin Henderson, Gary Pollard, Andy Higgins, Bob Newton and John Callender
Team news
Micky Adams has hinted at changes and it is extremely likely that the Vale team will be much changed from the one that took on Bradford in the JPT. Leading scorer Tom Pope, Ryan Burge and Richard Duffy all return from suspension while Kingsley James and Clayton McDonald come into contention after being rested.
Adams will need to decide if skipper Doug Loft (right) plays, and if so, where. Loft could move into central midfield and Adam Yates returnat left-back or the skipper could continue in the left-back slot he took against Bradford.
Paul Cook will have a virtually full squad to choose from for Saturday. Only Neal Trotman (knee) is unavailable at the moment. Returning to the squad will be former Vale loanee Jay O’Shea and Ben Dickenson,
Pre-match quotes
“Chesterfield are on a decent run of form, but let’s not forget our own league form, which is good. They are a threat, but we won’t worry ourselves about their individuals or them as a unit.The onus will be on us to entertain and get three points and we’ll be trying our best to do so, regardless of the form Chesterfield are in.”
– Micky Adams
“We’ve got players that can hurt Port Vale, they’ll think that they’ve got players that can hurt Chesterfield. I personally think it’ll be a great game to watch, I think it’ll be a really good game.”
– Paul Cook