Two minute guide to: Milton Keynes (Cup)
It’s first round of the FA Cup time and here’s our guide to our opponents, Milton Keynes.
Port Vale
Manager: Rob Page
Last match: 2-1 vs Colchester
Form guide: W-W-D-L-W
Milton Keynes
Manager: Karl Robinson
Last match: 2-1 vs Swindon
Form guide: W-L-D-W-D
Team news
Carl Dickinson: not an automatic starter?
Much debate will focus on whether captain Carl Dickinson should return to the side. The indications are that he will start on the bench after Ryan McGivern’s good form in the left-back slot. Vale have also been boosted by the news that impressive loanee Remie Streete is available for the game.
Milton Keynes have suggested that they will make changes with a number of players joining suspended duo Darren Potter and Antony Kay on the sidelines.
Possible Vale starting XI:
Neal
Yates – Duffy – Streete – McGivern
Marshall – Lines – O’Connor – Birchall
N’Guessan – Williamson
Pre-match quote
“It’s just another game really. We take it as another tough game, but we haven’t prepared any differently, we have prepared as we always have and we are looking forward to it…”
– Richard Duffy
Last time we met
The Valiants won 1-0 at home back in April thanks to a solitary goal from now-departed striker Jordan Hugill. However, the away tie was much less memorable as the Valiants slumped to a 3-0 defeat. The two sides have never met in a cup competition.
Overall record
- Vale wins: 3
- Milton Keynes wins: 1
- Draws: 2
Trivia
Michael O’Connor: set for appearance number 300?
Vale have won all three home fixtures against Milton Keynes. And they’ve also drawn two of the three away games.
This game could well mark the 300th senior appearance for midfielder Michael O’Connor. He currently has 245 starts and 54 sub appearances.
They played for both…
Chris Lines had a spell on loan at Milton Keynes
Players to appear for both sides include:
- Midfielder Chris Lines
- Midfielder Jay O’Shea
- Winger Jemal Johnson
- Winger Dominic Blizzard
Cup classics…
To get you in the cup mood, here are some great Vale cup moments