Two minute guide to: Brentford
We take a look ahead to Saturday’s trip to League One promotion hopefuls Brentford.
Stats and facts
Brentford form: W-W-W-W-W
Port Vale form: D-L-W-W-L
Top scorers: Tom Pope (11), Clayton Donaldson (13)
Team news
Chris Lines: set to return to the side
Midfielder Chris LinesĀ could return after he has recovered from cracked ribs while Micky Adams has indicated that loanee Jack Grimmer will start – probably in place of injured Richard Duffy. There could even be more changes in defence after a poor performance against Plymouth and youngster Joe Davis, fresh from a loan spell at Luton, has also been added to the squad.
Brentford have added two loan signings to their squad – in Blackburn midfielder Alan Judge and promising young Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom.
Possible starting eleven:
Neal
Yates Robertson Grimmer Dickinson
Myrie-Williams Griffith Lines Loft
Tomlin Hugill
Pre-match quotes
Micky Adams: wants Vale to adopt an attacking attitude
“We will go down there and attack them and see what we can do.Ā We don’t want to go there fearful of what could happen to us, we want to be nice and positive if we possibly can, mentally and physically.Ā Get it right and I am sure we will give them a game like we did with Leyton Orient.”
– Micky Adams
“I canāt wait to get in amongst things and hopefully get amongst them.Ā Brentford are flying high at the top of the league and I not phased about throwing myself in at the deep end, going away to the league leaders.Ā Going into every game, whether it is against the league leaders or not, we will be trying for a clean sheet so hopefully everyone puts in a performance and we come away with a good result.Ā I know Marcello Trotta, who is on loan from Fulham, so it will be good to see him and hopefully he will be in my pocket if I am lucky enough to play.ā
– Loanee Jack GrimmerĀ
History
Doug Loft: scored Vale’s first league goal of the season
Last time we met:
The two sides met in the opening game of the season where Vale were largely outplayed by a very impressive Brentford outfit. The Valiants were grateful for an equaliser by captain Doug Loft in a 1-1 draw.
Overall record:
- Vale wins: 25
- Brentford wins: 22
- Draws: 7
Last time we:
Won at Griffin Park was back in 2006 when wingerĀ Jeff Smith scored the winner in a 1-0 win.
Connections
Gavin Tomlin: not a great success at Griffin Park
Striker Gavin Tomlin spent a year with Brentford in 2006. It wasn’t a success as Tomlin was released after just twelve senior appearances.
Other connections
Other players to appear for both sides include:
- Dean Holdsworth
- Joe Allon
- Stewart Talbot
- George Poyser
- Bill Pointon
- Harry Anstiss
- James Nicholls
- Marcus Bent
- Tony Rougier
- Callum Willock
- George Rushton
- Joe Frail
- Marc Laird
Trivia
The Valiants may remember the 2001 LDV Vans Trophy final with affection but spare a though for their defeated opponents Brentford.
In contrast to Vale’s two final appearances and two wins, the Bees have reached the final on three occasions but have lost every single one.
By the way, the scarf adorning Mark Grew in the picture is Rob Fielding’s own scarf which was thrown to the team after the final whistle.