One minute guide to: West Brom
Rather than our traditional two minute guide, here’s a shorter than usual sixty second guide to our friendly opponents.
Port Vale
Manager: Micky Adams
Last friendly: 2-4 versus Southport
West Brom
Manager: Alan Irvine
Last friendly: 0-1 vs Nottm Forest
Team news
Sam Johnson: in contention?
Micky Adams is expected to name a side that will be pretty close to the starting eleven to face Walsall. One interesting battle will be who lines up in goal with youngster Sam Johnson reportedly pushing Chris Neal hard for a starting place. Vale will be missing Byron Moore who is understandably missing on compassionate grounds.
The Valiants expect to face a strong Baggies line-up with the likes of Ben Foster, Saido Berahino, Craig Gardner, Graeme Dorrans, Chris Brunt and Victor Anichebe all in the squad to face Vale.
Matchday squads
Port Vale: Neal, Veseli, Duffy, McGivern, Yates, Jennings, Brown, Lines, Dodds, Marshall, Pope, Johnson, Robertson, Dickinson, Lloyd, O’Connor, Birchall, Daniel, Williamson, Smith, Boot.
West Brom: Foster, Wisdom, Dawson, Olsson, Lescott, Pocognoli, Baird, Gardner, Mulumbu, Yacob, Dorrans, Berahino, Roofe, Brunt, Anichebe, O’Neil, Garmston.
Pre-match quote
“Chris is a great goalie, probably the best I have worked with, but I like to think I am really pushing him hard. It would mean a lot to me to start on Saturday
– Sam Johnson
Last time we met
The two sides last met competitively back in 2000 when the sides played out a 0-0 draw at the Hawthorns.
The last match at Vale Park was played in 1999 when Vale lost 2-1. Future Valiant Lee Hughes gave the away side the lead before Jeff Minton (right) equalised with a penalty before Kevin Kilbane scored a second-half winner.
Overall record
- Vale wins: 12
- West Brom wins: 16
- Draws: 9
Did you know?
Port Vale’s last competitive win over Bolton was a 3-1 win at Vale Park back in 1995. Vale legends Martin Foyle (right), Tony Naylor and Steve Guppy scored the goals in a 3-1 win.
Any other business?
Vale fans can pick up their season tickets from the ticket office before the game. The office will be open until 7pm.
Highlights
Watch a clip from OVF’s YouTube channel of a 2-1 Vale victory back in 1993.
See more classic Vale video clips on our YouTube channel