The League Two play-off race looks like being one of the best yet
Port Vale’s impressive 3-1 home win over League Two title contenders, Exeter City, has set the play-off race wide open.
Vale were supremely clinical in front of goal for a change, giving them the platform to end Exeter’s 11-game unbeaten run and move to within three points of the top seven themselves. Just eight points separate Vale in tenth place and Crewe Alexandra in the third and final automatic promotion spot, and their win over Exeter proves they are capable of mixing it with the best in the division.
Vale getting goals out of Bennett as well as Pope
Richie Bennett is back on the goal trail
Vale boss, John Askey, must have been mightily relieved to see Richie Bennett score one of the goals against the Grecians. Having multiple strikers in form will be vitally important to Vale’s top-seven hopes, with Bennett taking some of the weight off target man, Tom Pope. Pope, who recently had a run-in with John Stones about his defending and Manchester City’s dwindling Premier League title odds, has struggled to get close to double figures so far this term. Their lack of goals has had an impact on their goal difference, which has struggled to edge into positive territory for much of the season so far.
The race for the League Two play-offs is likely to involve half of the league, with even 12th-placed moneybags Salford City still feeling they have a chance to reel in the top seven, being just eight points off the playoff pace. Vale’s win over Exeter has helped create some daylight between themselves and 11th placed Newport, although the South Wales club do have three games in hand. Vale’s inconsistencies still need major ironing out if they are to provide a stiff test to any of the sides currently in the top seven, but there are signs that some inside the playoff places are beginning to feel the heat.
Which teams could Vale hunt down in the top seven?
Bradford City were relegated from League One last term and were many people’s tips for an immediate return to the third tier. After a strong start, the Bantams looked a good bet to cement their top-three credentials, but it hasn’t quite gone to plan of late. A dismal 3-0 loss to lowly Mansfield set the alarm bells ringing around Valley Parade. Not even the recall of the EFL’s most in-form striker, Eoin Doyle, from his season-long loan at promotion rivals Swindon appears to have helped. Bizarrely, the club have also loaned captain James Vaughan to League One strugglers Tranmere for the remainder of the campaign, which could certainly weaken their front line.
Forest Green Rovers have been perennial play-off hopefuls for the last couple of seasons in League Two, but they appear to be lacking the spark to keep them in the top seven this time around. Although they sit above Vale on goal difference, Askey will be hopeful that Rovers’ poor recent form continues, having endured a hat-trick of defeats against Salford, Macclesfield and Carlisle.
Northampton Town have defied pre-season predictions and are one of the surprise packages in the play-offs at present. The Cobblers have also moved to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, securing the services of younger talent from the higher leagues in the shape of West Brom striker, Callum Morton, Arsenal midfielder James Olayinka and Gillingham’s powerful wide man Mark Marshall. Colchester United have also demonstrated that a sound defence can be the bedrock for a successful season, having conceded just 26 goals in their opening 30 games.
Meanwhile Plymouth Argyle, one of the pre-season favourites to get automatic promotion, are also starting to hit their straps now after a sluggish start to the campaign. The Pilgrims have plenty of proven attacking flair and goals on their team, with the likes of Danny Mayor proven operators at this level.
As for Vale, riding the positivity of their latest exploits against Exeter will be important for building momentum for the season run-in. Off the field, the club’s newly-announced board makeup will also give supporters fresh optimism for better times around the corner.