Two minute guide to: Gillingham
We take a look ahead to Gillingham’s trip to Vale Park on Saturday with a brief look at our next opponents…
Team news
There’s a nice selection dilemma for Micky Adams as he has to decide whether to stick with young striking duo Jordan Hugill and Ben Williamson (above) or bring back the more experienced Pope and Hughes. Dan Jones is also back after suspension but we think that, following the Crawley win, Vale will line-up unchanged which will mean Jordan Hugill will make his home debut.
Predicted Vale XI:
Neal
Yates Robertson Chilvers Dickinson
Dodds Griffith Lines Loft
Williamson Hugill
Gillingham striker Danny Kedwell is a slight doubt with a tight hamstring.
Quotes
“They have not had the start to the season that they were expecting, but they won the league last season with the same players. But it is all about us on Saturday, it’s about us adopting a nice positive approach, making sure that we all know our jobs and that we are switched on at all times.”
– Micky Adams
“You know that when you play against any Micky Adams team that they will be organised in every way. I have heard him say that sometimes they are a bit nervous at home. Hopefully that is the case and we start well, but you never know until Saturday.”
– Peter Taylor
History
Vale won a top of the table tussle at the Priestfield Stadium back in January. Vale’s goals came from newly formed strike duo Tom Pope and Lee Hughes (above).
Overall record:
- Port Vale wins: 14
- Gillingham wins: 14
- Draws: 15
Featured connection:
Vale manager Micky Adams received his playing break after he was released by boyhood idols Sheffield United. During a four year stay in Kent, Adams made 92 league appearances and subsequently secured a move to top-flight club Coventry for £85,000.
Other connections:
Other players to appear for both clubs include: defenders Tony Butler, Gary West and Brian McGlinchey; midfielders Simon Osborn and Jeff Johnson plus strikers Gary Mulligan and Peter Beadle.
Trivia
Giant striker Ade Akinfenwa has been the scourge of Vale defenders for almost ten years now.
Last season marked something of a turning point for the then-Northampton man as he failed to score against Vale in two apperances.
However, since his first appearance back in 2004, Akinfenwa has netted five times against Vale defences – for three different sides!
Form
Port Vale’s last game: won 3-0 away to Crawley
Gillingham’s last game: won 2-1 at home to Notts County
Port Vale: D-L-L-L-W
Gillingham: W-W-L-L-W
Vale top scorer: Pope – 5 goals (right)
Crawley top scorer: Kedwell – 6 goals
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