Match preview: Port Vale v Tranmere Rovers (FLT)
It’s the first competitive game of the season at Vale Park albeit in the much reviled Football League Trophy contest. We preview the FLT game against Tranmere Rovers…
Match details:
Teams: Port Vale v Tranmere Rovers
Competition: Football League Trophy group game
Venue: Vale Park
Kick-off: Tuesday 8th September, 7pm
How to watch:
First off, let’s deal with watching this behind closed doors game. It will be available to watch on the iFollow service through the following link
Form guide:
The two sides had contrasting fortunes in the opening Carabao Cup competition. While the Valiants snatched a last-gasp win at Scunthorpe, Tranmere lost in a penalty shootout against newcomers Harrogate. James Vaughan scored Tranmere’s goal as it finished 1-1 in normal time.
Port Vale team news:
The Valiants have a number of injuries in addition to the suspended Tom Pope. Manny Oyeleke isn’t yet match fit while James Gibbons, Cristian Montano and David Amoo are close to full fitness but may not be risked. However, despite the injuries, John Askey may be tempted to rotate his squad. If he does, he could start Dino Visser in goal, Adam Crookes and Shaun Brisley (right) in central defence and possibly Danny Whitehead, Dan Trickett-Smith and Alex Hurst in midfield.
Guesswork XI – Visser, Mills, Brisley, Crookes, Fitzpatrick, Whitehead, Burgess, Trickett-Smith, Worrall, Rodney, Hurst
Opposition team news:
After an impressive summer recruitment drive, some fans see Tranmere as possible dark horses for promotion from League Two. Their new arrivals include experienced keeper Joe Murphy, midfielder Paul Lewis, defender Lee O’Connor, winger Otis Khan and veteran forward James Vaughan.
Morgan Ferrier and Corey Blackett-Taylor both limped off in Saturday’s defeat to Harrogate Town and will both be a doubt for the match.
Opposition manager:
Former defender Michael Jackson took over as Tranmere boss in the summer. It followed Micky Mellon’s departure to Dundee United. The 46 year-old had a brief spell as Shrewsbury Town manager in 2014 but won just three of his nineteen games in charge. As a player he had lengthy spells with Bury, Preston, Blackpool and Tranmere, for whom he made 84 appearances.
Match officials:
Declan Bourne will take charge of the game. It will be his first match of the season and his first Port Vale game. His assistants will be Andrew Dallison and Chris Isherwood, with Scott Tallis taking on the role as fourth official.
Connections:
Should he be selected in this game, Port Vale winger David Amoo (right) will come up against one of his former clubs. The 29 year-old joined Rovers in 2013 and made eleven appearances and scored one goal.
On the opposing side, veteran defender Peter Clarke spent a spell on loan with Port Vale in 2003 while he was an Everton player.
Pre-match quote:
I am looking forward to the season ahead. Every striker wants to score double figures, that is always going to be the main aim. But for me it is about the team getting promotion
Theo Robinson looks ahead to the season
Last time we met:
The last time the two sides met competitively was in February 2019 when the Valiants lost 2-1 at home. The Vale goalscorer was Ben Whitfield (pictured right).
The last time Tranmere and Vale met in the Football League Trophy was in 2012 when Vale won 2-0 thanks to a double strike from Jennison Myrie-Williams.