Match preview: Port Vale vs Salford City
John Askey’s side need to turn their form around as they prepare to face big spending Salford City…
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DISCUSS THIS GAME ON THE DEDICATED FORUM THREADMatch details:
Teams: Port Vale vs Salford City
Competition: League Two
Venue: Vale Park Stadium
Kick-off: Saturday 17th October, 3pm
Form guide:
It’s certainly been a poor run of form in the League for the Valiants with two losses and a draw from their last three games. Devante Rodney (pictured) was the last Vale player to score in the League some 289 minutes ago. In contrast, opponents Salford have won one and drawn two of their last three League games. However, ominously for Vale, Salford boast a long unbeaten away record stretching back to January.
Port Vale team news:
What now for Port Vale after the failure of wholesale changes against Carlisle? There’s a lot of guesswork involved but one boost for manager John Askey will be the return of Nathan Smith to the backline. Manny Oyeleke is in contention too and we reckon that Luke Joyce (pictured) and Tom Conlon will also return to central midfield while the formation could switch back to 4-3-3. Zak Mills and James Gibbons both miss out.
With that in mind, our guesswork XI is exactly that…
Guesswork XI:
Brown – Clark, Legge, Smith, Fitzpatrick – Joyce, Burgess, Conlon – Rodney, Robinson, Worrall
Captain Leon Legge had a rare dip on Saturday and we expect him to be back to his imperious best this weekend.
Opposition team news:
Salford made a signing ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline adding Manchester United defender Di’Shon Bernard on loan. The Valiants will be taking on a team with a host of big names (and big salaries). Among the well-known faces in the squad are former Bolton man Jason Lowe, former Man Utd striker James Wilson, former Millwall targetman Tom Elliott and former Preston defender Tom Clarke.
The quality of veteran forward Ian Henderson will be well-known to Port Vale fans and he’s started his Salford spell with four goals in five League appearances.
Opposition manager:
It’s been an interesting week at Salford with the experienced Graeme Alexander dispatched just five games into the season. That’s despite Alexander boasting a 48% win ratio during his 112 games in charge. Into the breech steps Paul Scholes, one of the club’s co-owners. Scholes has little managerial experience with his only spell at Oldham Athletic yielding one win in seven games or a win ratio of 14%.
Pre-match quote
It is early stages, we have a lot of games and points to play for and I am sure we will turn it around…
Cristian Montano
Connections:
Two members of the Valiants squad will be keen to impress against their former club. Midfielder Danny Whitehead and striker Devante Rodney (pictured) both joined Vale from Salford in the summer.
Rodney made 27 appearances for Salford scoring four times while Whitehead played 61 games, scoring six times.
Loan midfielder Lewis Hardcastle, well-liked goalkeeper Chris Neal (pictured) and cultured midfielder Michael O’Connor.
Last time we met:
The two sides met competitively for the first time last season meeting in both the League and the Football League Trophy. The last game was a 1-1 draw at Vale Park with the Valiants scoring through an own goal. The last Vale goalscorer against Salford was Richie Bennett (pictured) who netted in the first meeting between the two sides.
How to watch:
Finally, let’s deal with watching this behind closed doors game. It will be available to watch on the iFollow service. Here’s how to watch it…
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- If you don’t have an existing iFollow account sign up here
- If you have an existing iFollow account sign in here
- When signed in go to this page, select Video packages, select the relevant game and pay
- On matchday, go to this page and there will be an option at the bottom to watch live video
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- If you don’t have an existing iFollow account sign up here
- If you have an existing iFollow account sign in here
- When signed in go to this page, select Video packages, select the relevant game and enter the promo code you have been given to sign-up for free (you’ll need to do this for every game)
- On matchday, go to this page and there will be an option at the bottom to watch live video
FAQs
Q: I am a season ticket holder and I haven’t received a code / I have a problem with my code?
A: Season Ticket holders who experience problems or have not received a code, should contact the Ticket Office on 01782 655821. You can also email: [email protected].
Q: Do I have to set up the account/buy the pass on the day of the match?
A: No, you can set up your iFollow account and/or buy your match pass in advance if it is easier. All you need to do then is log onto iFollow on the day of the match go to this page and there will be an option at the bottom to watch live video.
Q: Can I watch it down the pub?
A: No, it’s illegal to show iFollow streams in public so they would be breaking the law. The service is for private use only.
Q: Can I watch it on the TV screen?
A: The iFollow service is available via an app or a browser. Probably the simplest way to watch it on the TV screen is to watch the stream on a browser and connect your computer to your TV via a HDMI lead. The video and audio should then show on your screen.
Q: What about the programme?
A: Ahead of the game Port Vale will also be sending all season ticket holders a link to a complimentary digital copy of our new-look matchday programme! If you do not receive your digital copy by 1pm on Saturday, then please contact us on the numbers provided above. Additionally, if you wish to collect a physical copy of the programme ahead of kick off – please contact the club shop.
Q: What commentary will be provided?
A: Usually commentary from both teams (home and away) is provided. In Vale’s case it is usually the BBC Radio Stoke commentary team. When the match starts, click on the cog on the bottom RH corner to select home or away commentary.
Q: Does Port Vale make money from iFollow?
A: Yes and in these days of behind closed door matches, the revenue from iFollow can be vital. Clubs like Vale earn around 80% of the cost of an iFollow ticket regardless of whether the game is played home or away.
Q: What about if I still have an issue?
A: If you are experiencing problems with iFollow should contact EFL iFollow by telephone – 0207 8264577 (three hours before kick-off and running until three hours after matches finish) or by email – [email protected] (staffed from 8am to 7pm every day).
Need more information? We have a dedicated forum thread with help and advice right here. There’s also a guide on setting up an iFollow account while here is a guide for season ticket holders redeeming a code