All-change for Chesterfield? Who may or may not be in contention
After the poor home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers, Vale could ring the changes for the trip to Chesterfield but who could feature where?
First off, let’s rule out the injured – Rob Lainton, Anton Forrester, Tyrone Barnett and Danny Pugh could all miss out with Pugh’s absence creating at least one change to the side that played on Saturday. So let’s look at the likely changes…
GOALKEEPER
Options: Sam Hornby, Ryan Boot, new signing (?)
Ruled out: Rob Lainton (injured), Joe Slinn (loan)
There could be an argument for opting for Ryan Boot over Sam Hornby who looked shaky at times on his full debut. However, unless a new signing is brought in by the weekend, we expect Michael Brown to stick with Hornby.
OVF’s prediction: Sam Hornby
LEFT-BACK
Options: Gavin Gunning, Tyler Denton, Charlie Walford
Ruled out: None
At left-back, Gavin Gunning comes back into contention although Tyler Denton did OK on the left on Saturday. We suspect Brown may opt for Gunning’s experience especially as he has hinted that the loanees need to build up match fitness.
OVF’s prediction: Gavin Gunning
CENTRAL DEFENCE
Options: Nathan Smith, Anthony Kay, Joe Davis, Luke Dennis
Ruled out: None
One of more certain picks, we doubt that Brown will split up the Kay-Smith partnership.
OVF’s prediction: Smith and Kay
RIGHT-BACK
Options: Lawrie Wilson, Joe Davis, James Gibbons
Ruled out: Adam Yates (loan)
Lawrie Wilson has endured a torrid time at Vale so far. It’s probably true to say that he will improve as he gains fitness but right now his place must be in doubt. We actually would not be surprised if Adam Yates is parachuted back into the side as soon as his month’s loan expires but as a stop-gap it could be Joe Davis who fills the gap.
OVF’s prediction: Joe Davis
WINGERS
Options: Cristian Montano, Marcus Harness, Ben Whitfield, Dan Turner
Ruled out: None
We suspect Dan Turner won’t be played out of position and of the two wingers who started on Saturday arguably Marcus Harness had more of an impact. When you add in Cristian Montano’s recent injury and the fact that Ben Whitfield scored a good goal, we reckon there’s a good chance of a Harness/Whitfield partnership. However, one caveat is that Michael Brown has said that Whitfield is not yet match fit so he could keep him back as a bench option.
OVF’s prediction: Harness and Whitfield
CENTRAL MIDFIELD
Options: Anthony De Freitas, Billy Reeves, Michael Tonge, Michael Brown
Ruled out: Danny Pugh (injury)
If Pugh is ruled out his place could be filled by either youngster Billy Reeves, who looked lively on Saturday or at the opposite end of the scale, veteran Michael Tonge.
OVF’s prediction: De Freitas and Tonge
FORWARDS
Options: Tom Pope, Dan Turner, Rekeil Pyke
Ruled out: Anton Forrester, Tyrone Barnett (both injured)
Upfront, Dan Turner, with two goals already this season, looking more lively than Rekeil Pyke and must be favourite to partner Tom Pope unless Vale opt for one upfront.
OVF’s prediction: Pope and Turner
OVF’s Predicted team
Hornby
Davis – Smith – Kay – Gunning
Harness – De Freitas – Tonge – Whitfield
Turner
Pope
We hasten to add this is our predicted team – not necessarily the team we want, but the team that we think will play. What do you think? You can give us your options on the dedicated match thread
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