Two minute guide to: Crewe (H)
It’s a game against our near neighbours Crewe and a chance for Vale to reach the play-offs on Saturday…
Port Vale
Manager: Rob Page
Last match: 2-1 vs Peterborough
Form guide: W-L-W-L-W
Crewe
Manager: Steve Davis
Last match: 1-2 vs Notts County
Form guide: L-W-D-W-W
Team news
Tom Pope: he could be on the bench
If Vale manage to win, then the side will enter the play-off places so it really is all to play for. We expect that Rob Page will name an unchanged starting eleven after the win over Peterborough. However, striker Tom Pope could make the bench after returning to full fitness. Vale could start with two former Crewe players (Yates and O’Connor) and with potentially another three (Pope, Daniel and Moore) on the bench.
Jon Guthrie is doubtful for the visitors with with George Ray, Adam Dugdale and Anthony Stewart all in line to replace him.
Potential Vale line-up
Neal
Yates – Veseli – Robertson – Dickinson
Marshall – O’Connor – Brown – Birchall
Dodds
Williamson
Last time we met
The Valiants suffered a poor 2-1 loss earlier in the season. Crewe went two goals clear before Jordan Slew’s penalty narrowed the gap, but the home side were deserved winners on the day.
Overall record
- Vale wins: 33
- Crewe wins: 18
- Draws: 21
Trivia
Carl Dickinson: 250 up?
This match could mark captain Carl Dickinson’s career 250th league appearance.
If Vale win, it will make it four straight home wins for Rob Page’s side.
However, Vale have not won at home against Crewe since 2010 when they won 2-1.
They played for both…
Vale boast five former Alex men in their squad. Michael O’Connor (above), Byron Moore, Colin Daniel and Tom Pope have all featured for the visitors while Adam Yates was on Crewe’s books albeit without making any first-team appearances.
It hasn’t been all one-way traffic – Vale players to appear for Crewe in the last ten years include George Abbey, Lee Matthews and Dave Brammer (right).
However, it’s fair to say that the majority of transfers have been from Crewe to Vale with Tony Naylor, Luke Rodgers, Richard Walker and David Artell all following that route.
Other players to appear for both clubs include Gary Roberts, Stuart Tomlinson, Marc Richards, Geoff Hunter and Tommy Cheadle who are amongst a number of players to appear for both sides.
1996 – Vale hit five
One of Vale’s most memorable victories against Crewe came in September 1996 in a league cup meeting.
Crewe opened the scoring through Dele Adebola before Vale hit back five times through Ian Bogie, Jon McCarthy (pictured), Martin Foyle, Tony Naylor and finally Lee Mills.
It meant that Vale progressed to the next round after a 6-1 aggregate score and it remains the club’s joint-record win against Crewe (Vale also won 5-1 away in August 1978)