Two minute guide to: Preston North End
Here is our quick guide to the next visitors to Vale Park – Simon Grayson’s Preston North End side.
Team news
Micky Adams will be forced into at least one change with captain Doug Loft (right) ruled out. The choice is likely to be between Chris Birchall or Gavin Tomlin to replace him on the flank. Tomlin may have edged ahead after Micky Adams took time to praise his contribution against Crewe. Rob Taylor and Richard Duffy are expected to continue in defence with Liam Chilvers on the bench and Carl Dickinson ruled out through injury. Upfront, Adams must decide whether to stick with Jordan Hugill or perhaps bring Ben Williamson back into the starting eleven.
Preston captain John Welsh and defender Tom Clarke are both major doubts after picking up knocks on Saturday. Striker Stuart Beavon is also unavailable through suspension.
Predicted Vale Starting XI:
Neal
Yates, Robertson, Duffy, Taylor
Myrie-Williams, Griffith, Lines, Tomlin
Pope, Williamson
Pre-match quotes
I have no problems with anyone at Preston and had a lot of messages from fans in the summer saying they didn’t want me to leave…
“I have no problems with anyone at Preston and had a lot of messages from fans in the summer saying they didn’t want me to leave. Preston have a great following. Their fans are like ours were at Crewe at the weekend, they take as many as they can to games.”
– Vale defender (and former Preston player) Chris Robertson
“We are in for a tough game on a big pitch – I’ve played on it a few times as a full-back and it tests your legs. Hopefully the size of the pitch will benefit us, help us get our passing game going and we can get back on a winning run.”
– Preston boss Simon Grayson
Head-to-head
Last time we met
The two sides last met back in 2006 for a Carling Cup clash. The Vale came out on top 2-1 thanks to strikes from Akpo Sodje and Leon Constantine.
Overall record
- Vale wins: 17
- Preston wins: 20
- Draws: 11
Last time we…
Won at home in the league against Preston was way back in 1988 when the Vale triumphed 3-2.
Connections
Featured connections
Defender Chris Robertson will be facing former club Preston for the first time since his move to Vale Park in the summer. Robertson signed for North End from Torquay in 2012 and made 44 appearances before leaving to join the Valiants. Preston may want to keep an eye on the big defender at set-pieces as Robertson has already scored three times for Vale this season.
Fellow centre-half Liam Chilvers also had a spell at Preston, making 107 appearances from 2006 to 2010 while goalkeeper Chris Neal also started his career at Preston although he did not make a first-team appearance
Other connections
Other players to appear for both sides include:
Steve Harper, Akpo Sodje, Gareth Ainsworth, Ian Bogie (right), Darren Beckford, Rob Kozluk, Oshor Williams, John Ritchie, Dave Hibbert, Brett Angell, Jim Arnold, Lee Ashcroft, David Beresford, Gary Brazil, David Healy, Jason Jarrett, Jemal Johnson, Ryan Kidd, Ted Critchley and David Carrick.
The late John McGrath also managed both sides – Port Vale 1979 to 1983 and Preston 1986-1990. He also achieved promotion for both sides.
Classic game
Port Vale reach the 1989 play-off final after a 3-1 win over Preston North End at Vale Park. The first leg had ended 1-1 and had been somewhat overshadowed by a fire in the wooden away end. However, Vale made no mistake in the second-leg with Darren Beckford netting a hat-trick.