Two minute guide to Forest Green Rovers versus Port Vale

Our brand new two minute guide looks ahead to Port Vale latest away fixture…

Pre-match talking points

Vale’s poor form is causing some concern with manager Neil Aspin saying that the team “need a result” at Forest Green.

The Vale manager will be boosted by the expected return of Manny Oleyeke (right) and Tom Conlon to the squad while Aspin has also praised sub Ricky Miller’s contribution against Newport County.

Forest Green are fresh from a 4-0 thumping of their local rivals Cheltenham Town in the Checkatrade Trophy. However, the side will be missing highly-rated striker Christian Doidge who joined Bolton Wanderers for a seven figure sum.

Quotes

“We need to get a result and Forest Green have improved. They improved last year from January where they brought in a lot of players, they’ve continued to improve their squad, and they’ve grown used to playing at this level.

“So we go there now against a much better Forest Green and one that is capable of doing well… we went there (last year) and found it difficult, didn’t make any chances and lost to a goal from outside the box.

“It’s all about confidence and I have to try and make sure that our players are confident when they go out on Saturday and they put on a good display. We certainly need to have more as an attacking threat then we did in our last away game…”

Port Vale manager Neil Aspin

Man in charge

Well-travelled manager Mark Cooper joined Forest Green in 2016 after a brief spell with Notts County. The 49 year-old has now been in charge of 617 games during a fourteen year managerial career.

Featured connection

It’s an obvious one but Gavin Gunning’s move to Forest Green from Vale Park was a controversial one. The Irishman had developed a cult following and Vale’s refusal to offer him a payrise after an impressive start to his Vale career was seen as shortsighted by some. He certainly played his part in helping to keep Rovers in the League last season.