Two minute guide to: Morecambe
Morecambe are the latest visitors to Vale Park as they take on the Valiants on Saturday. Here is our lightning quick guide to our latest opponents.
Man in charge
Former Morecambe player Jim Bentley has now been in charge for 89 games. Bentley took over from Sammy McIlroy and has managed 29 wins, 35 losses and 25 draws.
Last time we met
Vale secured a valuable 3-1 away win back in August. Sam Morsy (pictured) gave Vale the lead in the first minute before veteran Kevin Ellison equalised. But second-half strikes from John McCombe and Tom Pope earned Vale all three points.
Overall record
The two teams have met eleven times and it is all-square. Both sides have won four matches and there have been three draws.
Vale’s home games against Morecambe tend to produce the goals. Last season, the Valiants lost 4-0 while the previous season Vale won 7-2 with both Louis Dodds and Justin Richards netting hat-tricks.
Featured Connection
Chris Shuker (pictured) could face his former team if he makes the Vale starting line-up. The winger endured a disappointing spell at Morecambe where he chalked up twelve starts and fifteen sub appearances.
However, Shuker has not been exactly complimentary of Morecambe’s methods telling the Sentinel last season that: “I had a bit of a bad time mentally in the game with a few things that happened at Tranmere and then I went to Morecambe, where I didn’t enjoy it. The training was poor and I basically spent my time thinking that I didn’t want to be there. It wasn’t a confidence issue with me it was more to do with the training and being unfit because of it. It was a bit of a bad 18 months for me.”
Played for both
Players to appear for both teams include Scott Brown, Michael Twiss, Adam Yates (pictured) and the aforementioned Chris Shuker.
Team news
Vale manager Micky Adams will decide whether to make changes after a disappointing draw with Barnet. The likes of Chris Shuker, Chris Birchall and Ben Williamson could all come into contention. John McCombe and Joe Davis are the Vale’s only injuries.
Robbie Threlfall and Andy Fleming are hoping to make their comebacks from injury for Morecambe.
Pre-match quotes
“Last season’s game against Morecambe was a wake-up call for everyone. They comfortably beat us. They’re a big, strong, powerful unit and we’ll have to find ways of breaking them down but we must remain focused on defending and not switch off.”
– Vale boss Micky Adams
“We won’t go down there with any fear but obviously we respect them being top of the league so it should be a good game for us.”
– Morecambe midfielder Stewart Drummond