Two minute guide to: Coventry City v Port Vale
Can Port Vale climb out of the relegation zone with an away win over Coventry? Read our brief guide to the action…
The two sides
Port Vale
- Manager: Michael Brown
- Last match: 2-1 vs Shrewsbury Town
- Top scorer: Alex Jones (10)
Coventry
- Manager: Mark Robins
- Last match: 0-1 vs Milton Keynes
- Top scorer: Marvin Sordell (6)
Match details
Venue:
Ricoh Arena
Date:
21st March 2017
Pre-match thoughts
“They have got some experience, strength, height and physicality in the side. I went to watch them against Shrewsbury and they were not bad. The first half was poor but then got themselves into a two goal lead in the second half and with Chris Eagles and Ryan Taylor on either flank they have got some decent quality in there. They have got decent quality of delivery into the penalty area and they will try to have a go and fight.”
Coventry manager Mark Robins
Team news
The Valiants are likely to keep the same starting eleven that defeated Shrewsbury Town which means that Deniz Mehmet will keep his place in goal and the returning Ryan Taylor should also play after scoring in the Shrewsbury win.
Last time we met…
The Valiants slumped to a 2-0 home defeat earlier this season.
Overall record
Port Vale wins: 11
Port Vale losses: 10
Draws: 10
Form guide
Club connections
Forward Steve McPhee was possibly Vale’s best-ever addition from Coventry. The forward never made a senior appearance for City and joined the Valiants on a free transfer in July 2001. He scored on his debut and rose to prominence in the 2003-2004 season with 27 goals. That tally prompted much interest in the out-of-contract striker and with some controversy he left for Beira Mar in Portugal in the summer. He subsequently played for Hull City and Blackpool before retiring through injury in 2010.
You can read our cult hero article on McPhee here
Vale stats: 147 games | 44 goals
Other players to appear for both clubs include:
- Defender Peter Clarke
- Winger Mark Marshall
- Midfielder Chris Birchall
- Forward Keith Houchen
- Winger Archie Dyke
Did you know…
- The first game between the two sides took place in 1920 and finished 0-0
- Vale have only lost one of the last seven home fixtures against City
- Vale’s biggest victory is a 4-0 win back in 1924.