Two minute guide to: Carlisle
We take a look at Saturday’s game against Carlisle United with another of our brief guides to our opponents.
PORT VALE
Manager: Micky Adams
Last game: 0-3 vs Wolves
Form: L-L-L-D-W
Top scorer: Pope (13)
CARLISLE
Manager: Graham Kavanagh
Last game: 0-0 vs Brentford
Form: D-L-W-W-L
Top scorer: Amoo (11)
Team news
Anthony Griffith: could be fit for the game
Vale will monitor the fitness of Anthony Griffith before the match. Loanee Billy Knott is favourite if Griffith should not make it. The Vale otherwise have a fully fit squad with the exception of Rob Taylor and Liam Chilvers, who are both injured. However, the actual Vale line-up is anyone’s guess following Vale’s poor performances recently. The likes of Jennison Myrie-Williams, Ben Williamson, Jordan Hugill and Gavin Tomlin are all pushing for first-team recalls with Adams likely to name a more attacking line-up than the side that lost to Wolves.
Visitors Carlisle are experiencing something of an injury crisis with seven squad players ruled out.
Neal
Grimmer Robertson Duffy Dickinson
Myrie-Williams Griffith Lines Loft
Tomlin Pope
Pre-match quotes
Chris Lines: team will be motivated
“Saturday’s game against Carlisle United is massively important for us. The fact that we haven’t had a great run is going to make us more motivated for the game.”
– Chris Lines
“Teams who come up usually have momentum and they start the season well. Port Vale have done that and there is no doubt this will be a difficult game. We all now know what they are capable of and they have some fantastic players in their team. Tom Pope can score goals, and he can be a real threat, and they have players in areas of the pitch who can really cause problems.”
– Graham Kavanagh
History
Tom Pope: late winner the last time we met
Last time we met
The Valiants won 1-0 back in September thanks to a last-minute Tom Pope winner. The result led to the dismissal of Carlisle manager Greg Abbott.
Overall record
- Vale wins: 10
- Carlisle wins: 10
- Draws: 10
Did you know?
Vale have to go back to 2001 for their last home win over Carlisle.
Ian Armstrong and Steve Brooker scored the Vale goals in a 2-1 victory.
Connections
Chris Birchall: spells with both clubs
Chris Birchall and Jennison Myrie-Williams have both had spells on loan with the Cumbrians. Whether either will make an appearance on Saturday is open to debate.
More connections
Why not find out who else has appeared for both sides by reading our “Connections” feature?
Opposing views
Read the views of two Carlisle fans ahead of the game…
“We have to get the points in March because our run-in is difficult so the game at Vale Park is important…”