Match preview: Port Vale v Leyton Orient
Can John Askey’s side end their awful recent run with a win over Leyton Orient on Saturday?
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Match details:
Teams: Port Vale v Leyton Orient
Competition: League Two
Venue: Vale Park stadium
Kick-off: Saturday 28th November, 1pm
Form guide:
The Valiants run of poor form is now reaching crisis proportions after four straight League defeats. A win is of the highest priority. In contrast opponents Orient have turned their recent poor form around with two consecutive victories.
Port Vale team news:
The Valiants still have a significant number of players missing despite the return of Luke Joyce (pictured) Leon Legge and David Amoo. Tom Pope is still self-isolating, Danny Whitehead is out with injury and fellow midfielder Tom Conlon is set for a scan on his injury. Devante Rodney may force his way into the starting eleven after a goal from the bench in midweek.
However, a predicted Port Vale starting eleven is decidedly hard work. Here goes…
Possible Starting XI:
Brown – Clark, Legge, Smith, Fitzpatrick – Joyce, Oyeleke, McKirdy – Worrall, Robinson, Rodney
One to watch:
The Valiants have been missing the marauding runs of full-back Mitch Clark in recent games. If the defender can regain his attacking instincts it would potentially benefit the side significantly.
Opposition player to watch:
27 year-old striker Danny Johnson is red hot form for Leyton Orient this season. The Middlesbrough-born forward already has eleven goals including nine in the League. He’s had an interesting career so far making his first senior appearances for Real Murcia in Spain before spells in the non-league, League Two, the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish Championship. He switched to Orient in January 2020 and has now scored fourteen times in 25 appearances since his move.
Opposition manager:
39 year-old Ross Embleton is in his third spell in charge of Orient. He was originally appointed interim head coach alongside Dean Brill in 2017 before he was appointed for a second time following the tragic death of Justin Edinburgh. He was replaced by Carl Fletcher but then regained his role when Fletcher left the club. Embleton’s overall record is fifty games in charge with nineteen wins.
Pre-match quote
Things just aren’t going for us at the moment… The only thing we can take from it is that the players are working as hard as they possibly can. We can’t knock them for the effort they are putting in…
John Askey
Connections:
Defender Shaun Brisley will be hoping to keep his place in the side as they play one of his former clubs. Brisley played sixteen times for Orient while on loan in 2016. Current Vale youth coach Anthony Griffith also had a spell at Orient in 2012.
Played for both:
Other players who featured for both sides are:
- Midfielder Marc Laird
- Defender Clayton Fortune (pictured)
- Striker Carl Griffiths
- Defender Paul Beesley
Last time we met:
The two sides last met at Vale Park in January this year. The Valiants ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from David Amoo (pictured). Vale also won their previous home game (in 2014) by three goals to nil. Overall, Vale have an impressive record against Orient with 34 wins to the Londoners’ eigthteen.
The stats:
Overall record: 34 Port Vale wins | 18 Port Vale losses | 9 draws
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
FAQs
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