Five thoughts following Port Vale’s win over Wigan
It was a cracking Tuesday evening at Wigan for the Valiants and here are six thoughts from Rob Fielding after the final whistle.
DISCUSS THE MATCH ON THE FORUM
Could this game ignite Worrall’s season?
In a parallel universe this could have been the game that David Amoo was remembered for. Wigan were awful on the left of their defence and Amoo’s replacement David Worrall took advantage and ran the Latics ragged. It’s been a quiet start for last season’s player of the year so far – could this be the game that sees him return to top form?
The defence’s “unlucky” right side
After some seasons having issues on the left, this season it seems it is the right side that is causing issues. Vale have four players fit and able to play on the left side but all three who have featured on the right this campaign could be missing on Saturday. If James Gibbons is ruled out, it may be that John Askey asks the likes of midfielder Danny Whitehead to fill in?
Vale suited to ‘giantkilling’ role?
The Vale side may have struggled against League Two opponents Harrogate and Morecambe but put them up against a team from a higher league and it’s a different matter. Askey’s side had already defeated higher placed opponents Nottingham Forest, Rochdale and Fleetwood in the summer and had given Fleetwood a good test in the League Cup. Wigan made changes but this was a strong side from a team that had been in the Championship last season and they had no answer to Vale’s attacking play. In which case, roll on the FA Cup…
Askey shows he has a Plan B
After the criticism of sticking to one central forward on Saturday, the Vale manager switched to two upfront on Tuesday and it paid dividends as the impressive Theo Robinson poached two goals and nearly grabbed a hat-trick. A word too for support man Tom Pope who worked tirelessly on his return. 4-3-3 may remain the preferred system but on last night’s showing Vale should not be reticent to switch to 4-4-2 when the first plan doesn’t work.
Who to start upfront?
And with that change of formation in mind, John Askey now faces a welcome challenge – who to start upfront? Does he go with Mark Cullen with two goals and excellent link-up play? With Theo Robinson who is now this season’s leading scorer? Battering ram Devante Rodney? Or talisman Tom Pope? In light of the tactics last night he may even consider playing two of them in the middle. Vale’s forward line offers a wealth of different options and that’s down to Askey’s astute business over the summer. Fingers crossed his choices work out for him on Saturday.