Two minute guide to: Peterborough United
We take a look ahead to Port Vale’s home clash with Peterborough United with another of our brief guides to the opposition…
Team news
Vale have plenty to ponder following the disappointing defeat to Rochdale. Firstly, there is the return of Micky Adams following his hip operation.
Will Dan Jones continue at left-back? Should Lee Hughes, Ben Williamson or someone else partner Tom Pope? Who plays on the wings?
Well, we expect Anthony Griffith to start in midfield, Jones to stay at left-back (with Dickinson switching to centre-half) and Williamson to start upfront (with Hughes continuing his supersub role). We’re probably hopelessly wrong but here’s our predicted Vale team:
Possible Vale Starting XI:
Neal
Duffy, Robertson, Dickinson, Jones
Myrie-Williams, Griffith, Lines, Loft
Williamson, Pope
Gaby Zakuani is a doubt for the visitors as he has an ankle injury. Midfielders Jack Payne and Tommy Rowe are both available for selection
Port Vale’s exclusive betting partner is Betbright and every bet that is placed with them will earn the Valiants money.
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Quotes
“We are coming up against a good side, playing in a slightly different way from most teams in the division – they play a diamond in midfield and that can cause teams problems. They have got good individuals, certainly goals scorers in Barnett and Assombalonga and I can’t say I am disappointed that Tomlin is not playing for them, because I think he is a top quality player at this level.”
– Micky Adams
“We go there very confident, although we know it will be a tough game. I played at Vale enough in my time to know how hard it can be there. Their fans can create a great atmosphere if we let them. It’s the biggest pitch in the Football League as well which is a factor for us. If we play the midfield diamond we will need to keep the ball very well as our opponents will have a lot of space on the wings to attack us.”
– Darren Ferguson
History
Last time we met:
The two sides last met way back in 2005 in a match at Vale Park. The Valiants came out on top, winning 1-0 thanks to a 63rd minute Tony Dinning goal. The Vale team that day also featured a rare appearance from Christian Hansen who lined up alongside Michael Walsh in defence. It was one of only three starts for the centre-half. Chris Birchall, once again a Vale player, also featured.
The Vale team that day was: Goodlad, Pilkington, Hanson, Walsh, James, Birchall, Dinning, Sonner, Innes (Smith), Matthews (Lowndes), Paynter
Overall record:
- Vale wins: 16
- Posh wins: 14
- Draws: 13
Last time we…
…lost at home to Peterborough was way back in 1981 – with Vale winning all of the last nine home league games against Peterborough.
Featured connection:
David Riley faced no ordinary task when he joined the Vale back in 1987. Goal machine Andy Jones had left for Charlton Athletic and many fans expected Riley to be a like-for-like replacement.
Riley’s record looked good; he had two goals from twelve appearances for Forest and two decent loan spells (two goals in six games for Darlington and two goals in twelve games for Peterborough). When he scored in his first three Vale games, all looked well…
But Riley was no Jones. He didn’t have Jones’ star appeal and charisma. Instead of Jones’ powerful physique, Riley was small and lacked pace. But he was versatile.
An injury to Paul Atkinson resulted in a gap on Vale’s left. Riley was shunted out there and though he didn’t excel, his sheer graft gradually won over the fans. He played the majority of the games in the 1988-1989 promotion season scoring three goals in 43 appearances.
But the move to the higher division spelt the end of Riley’s Vale spell. He rejoined Peterborough in 1990 and later on had spells in non-league football.
He now runs a kitchen unit manufacturing company.
Connections:
Other players to appear for both sides include Dave Hibbert, Leon Constantine, David Riley, Justin Richards, Sagi Burton, Ernie Moss, Brian Jackson, Ronnie Jepson, Krystian Pearce, Gary Pollard, Kenny Beech, Les Lawrence, Carl Griffiths, Exodus Geoghaghan, Billy Kellock and Danny Sonner.
Jim Gannon has managed both sides with differing success.
Upon this rock…
Like many football clubs, Peterborough’s current crest leans heavily on the coat of arms of the city Peterborough. This particular design was launched in 2008.
It contains two lions which are the coat of arms of the Marquess of Exeter – the hereditary Lord Paramount of Peterborough. The crossed keys are common in many coats of arms and are indicators of the Christian faith. The motto has similar Christian roots.
Why ‘Posh’?
The nickname “The Posh” is believed to have been coined in 1921, after the then manager of Fletton United (the forerunners of Peterborough United) was reported to say he was “Looking for posh players for a posh new team”.