Two minute guide to: Coventry (H)
After a two week break, it’s time for another brief OVF preview and this time we look at our next opponents, Coventry City…
Port Vale
Manager: Rob Page
Last match: 2-2 vs Gillingham
Form guide: D-L-W-L-W
Coventry
Manager: Stephen Pressley
Last match: 0-2 vs Bristol City
Form guide: L-D-W-L-W
Team news
Chris Birchall: expected to play against former club
Former Coventry player Chris Birchall is expected to line-up in central midfield as regulars Chris Lines and Michael O’Connor are both suspended. Veteran Michael Brown is expected to partner Birchall. Richard Duffy and Ryan McGivern may have to settle for places on the bench due to the good form of current central defensive duo Freddie Veseli and Chris Robertson. Former Coventry man Alex Nimely has been touted as an addition to the Vale squad but it’s likely that he’ll start on the bench.
Possible Vale starting XI:
Neal
Yates – Veseli – Robertson – Dickinson
Marshall – Brown – Birchall- Daniel
Dodds
N’Guessan
Pre-match quote
“We’ve had some tough fixtures and hopefully if we win on Saturday we will be right up there…
– Chris Birchall
Last time we met
Ben Williamson: scored Vale’s last goal against Coventry
The Valiants threw away a two goal lead – thanks to goals from Doug Loft and Ben Williamson to leave Sixfields with just a point after two late strikes for the home side. The last time the two sides met at Vale Park, it ended in a five goal thriller with Chris Birchall netting a late winner against his former club.
Overall record
- Vale wins: 10
- Coventry wins: 7
- Draws: 9
Trivia
Coventry have to go all the way back to 1960 for their last victory at Vale Park. The last five fixtures have resulted in four Vale victories and a draw.
The Vale’s biggest victory is a 4-0 home win in 1924. Wilf Kirkham (right) scored twice while the other scorers were Jack Maddock and Bob Connelly.
Should Alex Nimely make an appearance, he will be the 26th player to appear in Vale colours so far this season. In comparison, Vale used 27 players last campaign.
They played for both…
Mark Marshall: set to face former club
Well, this section has quite a few entries from the Vale perspective…
Manager Rob Page made 70 appearances for the Sky Blues from 2005 to 2008.
Midfielder Chris Birchall was purchased by Coventry from Port Vale for £325,000 in 2006.
Defender Richard Duffy had four loan spells with the Sky Blues.
New signing Alex Nimely was under contract with Coventry last season.
Last and by no means least, arguably this season’s player of the year so far, Mark Marshall spent last season with the Sky Blues.