Two minute guide to Port Vale v Shrewsbury Town
Can Port Vale continue their good form in the Checkatrade Trophy this season?
The story so far…
Here’s how Vale have fared in the Checkatrade this season…
9th October 2018: Port Vale 1-0 Burton Albion
The Valiants win their first group game thank to a goal from Ricky Miller (pictured right) on the hour mark.
16th October 2018: Port Vale 2-0 Middlesbrough B
Vale win for the second week in a row thanks to strikes from Ricky Miller and Connell Rawlinson.
13th November 2018: Walsall 1-2 Port Vale
And the Vale make it a clean sweep in the group games as goals from Scott Quigley and Danny Pugh set up victory over old rivals Walsall.
4th December 2018: Port Vale 4-0 Stoke City B
One of the most controversial ties in many a year as Vale dominate on the pitch thanks to Tom Pope, Cristian Montano (2) and Luke Hannant but trouble in the away stand causes around £75,000 worth of damage.
Quotes
“I watched Coventry at Wembley a couple of years ago and it was an unbelievable day, so to be able to play there would be incredible. Everybody wants to play there, so this competition provides an opportunity to do that. To me, my family and friends who went to watch that game, it meant a lot. People think it’s not a great cup, but once you’re involved in it the prize is to play at Wembley, so that’s a massive incentive to reach that stage and win it.”
Port Vale striker Dior Angus
“It’s a big game, it’s a game we want to win. I think early on in the competition I think people take it quite lightly. I’m not saying we have but I think a lot of other clubs do, but the further you go on in the competition, yes we’re in a good position now with a great result in the last round and we want to win the game. It’s a bit early to be thinking of Wembley now but obviously if we got that opportunity it’s brilliant. It’s a bit early to be talking about Wembley, we’ll take Tuesday’s game as it comes but like I said it’s a big game for us and it’s a game we definitely want to win…”
Port Vale player coach Danny Pugh
“We can expect a tough game. They have a few good players in fairness. It wont be an easy game for us, especially going to their place – it will make it tougher for us. They will be really keen for it as will we. We will just be worried about us and we will go there to win the game. I really want to do well in this competition…”
Shrewsbury Town manager Sam Ricketts
Man in charge
Former Wrexham manager Sam Ricketts was appointed Shrewsbury manager in December replacing former Macclesfield Town boss John Askey. He has been in charge for eight games.
Stats and facts
The Shrews are slightly ahead overall with twenty wins to Vale’s sixteen and there have been fourteen draws. The last time the two sides met was in the Football League Trophy last season when Cristian Montano (right) scored for Vale in the first minute but former Valiant Louis Dodds and Shaun Whalley gave the visitors a 2-1 win on the night.
Featured connections
There are two former Vale midfielders in the Shrewsbury squad. Anthony Grant could be rested for this fixture but former skipper Doug Loft (right) has been fairly regular in their Checkatrade games and could take on the Valiants.
His future at Vale Park may be subject of debate but should he play, Louis Dodds could face one of his former clubs.
Crossing the lines
There are a large number of players who have played for both clubs in recent years including:
Zac Jules – a former Vale loanee who recently left Shrewsbury by mutual consent.
Ryan McGivern – the Northern Ireland International had spells at both clubs.
Chris Neal – the 2013 promotion winner (right) was signed from Shrewsbury.
Jack Grimmer – the former Fulham player had loan spells with both clubs.