Two minute guide to: Sheffield United
We take a look ahead to Port Vale’s away trip to Sheffield United with another of our brief guides to the opposition…
Team news
Micky Adams is expected to make changes after vowing to attack the Blades despite Vale being away from home. A specific diamond formation was deployed to combat Peterborough’s tactics but Vale may opt for wingers if they are to press the home side.
One definite change would appear to be Dan Jones replacing the suspended Carl Dickinson (above). We suspect that Anthony Griffith will be deployed alongside Chris Lines with Doug Loft moving to the flank. So, with a degree of guesswork here’s our possible Vale eleven.
Possible Vale Starting XI:
Neal
Duffy, Robertson, Chilvers, Jones
Myrie-Williams, Griffith, Lines, Loft
Hughes, Pope
Sheffield United’s main concern pre-match was whether a new manager would be in charge. But despite the club claiming that a new boss would be installed, it will be caretaker Chris Morgan in charge. Morgan will probably include loanee Ryan Hall but trio trio Tony McMahon, Florent Cuvelier and Jose Baxter are all doubtful.
Quotes
“I’m a Port Vale man now and all I’m interested in is getting a result for Port Vale. It wouldn’t matter who we were playing on Saturday.”
– Micky Adams
“I didn’t think I’d be sitting here again. I thought there’d be a new manager in place by now, but these things are rarely straightforward.”
– Sheff Utd caretaker boss Chris Morgan
“The atmosphere will be good there and hopefully we can go there and get three points off them.”
– Lee Hughes
History
Last time we met:
The two sides last met back in December in an FA Cup clash. Vale took the lead through prolific striker Tom Pope only for two late Shaun Miller strikes to ruin Micky Adams’ return to his hometown club.
The Vale side that day was: Neal, Duffy, McCombe, McDonald, Yates, Myrie-Williams (Dodds), James, Burge, Vincent (Taylor), Pope, Williamson (Andrew)
Overall record:
- Vale wins: 5
- Sheff Utd wins: 20
- Draws: 9
Last time we…
…won at Bramall Lane was a shock Carling Cup victory in 2009 when two goals from Marc Richards earned Vale a 2-1 win.
Our last league victory was back in 1999 when goals from Richard Eyre, Anthony Gardner and Allen Tankard (pictured) gave Vale a 3-1 win despite having Dave Brammer sent off in the final minutes
Featured connection:
It’s too obvious to focus on Micky Adams‘ connections with both sides, so instead we’ve decided to focus on midfielder Kingsley James.
Midfielder James (pictured) joined the club alongside fellow Blades youth team graduate Phil Roe in 2011. Both had been spotted by Micky Adams when he was the Sheffeld United manager.
James only made twelve appearances for the Valiants but one of those was in Vale’s FA Cup loss mentioned elsewhere in this guide. However, after that game he fell out of favour and spent a spell on loan with Hereford who he joined on a permanent basis in the summer.
Connections:
Micky Adams has managed both clubs with varying degrees of success. Other players to appear for both sides include full-back Phil Roe, Vale legend Dean Glover (a loan spell at Sheff Utd), centre-half Paul Beesley, forward Geoff Horsfield, full-back Rob Kozluk, goalkeeper John Connaughton, left-back Len Birks, forward Jack Wilkinson (pictured), winger Paul Smith, striker (he’s not a winger, Mr Horton!) Marcus Bent and forwards Gary Mulligan, Gareth Taylor, Arian Littlejohn, Danny Webber and Gary Brazil.
Former Sheffield United manager Danny Wilson lived (maybe he still lives there) on the same street as former Vale striker Bob Newton.
Newton revealed his “celebrity” neighbour in an interview with OVF.
Now, would you really want to share a street with this man (pictured)?
Port Vale’s last game: lost 1-0 at home to Peterborough United
Sheffield United’s last game: lost 2-3 away(well, at Northampton) to Coventry
Port Vale: W-W-D-L-L
Sheffield United: L-L-D-L-L
Vale top scorer: Pope – 5 goals
Sheffield United top scorer: Taylor/Maguire – 2 goals
Port Vale’s exclusive betting partner is Betbright and every bet that is placed with them will earn the Valiants money.
To place a bet on this match click on this link:
https://www.betbright.com/portvale