Two minute guide to: Sheffield United v Port Vale
Can Port Vale do the business away from Vale Park against an out-of-form Sheffield United side?
Port Vale
Manager: Rob Page
Last match: 0-0 vs Fleetwood
Form guide: W-L-W-D-D
Sheff Utd
Manager: Nigel Adkins
Last match: 1-2 vs Scunthorpe Utd
Form guide: D-D-L-W-L
Team news
The Valiants could welcome back Louis Dodds (above) after he made good progress from a foot injury but the game has come too soon for Ryan Inniss.
Former Vale loanne Neill Collins could be in contention for the home side. Leading goalscorer Billy Sharp may also be fit to start but one person missing will be Jose Baxter who has been suspended by the club.
Pre-match thoughts
Here’s Port Vale manager Rob Page on the game.
While Sheff Utd’s Nigel Adkins also has his pre-match views.
Last time we met
Byron Moore and Uche Ikpeazu scored as Vale triumphed 2-1 back in October.
Overall record
- Vale wins: 7
- Sheff Utd wins: 23
- Draws: 9
Port Vale’s recent record against Sheff Utd: W-L-W-L-L
Memorable match
This memorable match comes from 1988 and is one of a number of vintage Vale clips on our very own OVF YouTube channel.
Played for both
There are a number of people who will face their former clubs. Vale manager Rob Page was a player with Sheffield United while Blades fans still hold Michael Brown (above) in great affection. Meanwhile, former Vale loanee Neill Collins could line-up against the Valiants on Saturday.
Over the years there have been a number of Sheff Utd-Port Vale connections including – Micky Adams who managed both sides and a plethora of strikers including Gary Brazil, Gary Mulligan, Marcus Bent, Jordan Slew and Gareth Taylor.
Other players include 80’s winger Paul Smith and a clutch of defenders – Paul Beesley, Dean Glover and Gary West.
Trivia
The club’s first met in 1892 and rudely Sheffield United promptly recorded Vale’s club record defeat. The Valiants lost 10-0 at home but fared better in the return – conceding just four in a 4-0 loss.
Vale’s biggest win is a far more modest affair. The Valiants won 3-1 in 1999 with goals from Richard Eyre, Allen Tankard and Anthony Gardner.