Walsall v Port Vale preview (League Two)
Walsall v Port Vale preview: After two draws at home, can Port Vale pick up a win against their old rivals Walsall?
Image: Banks’s Stadium by Ell Brown is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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Match details:
Teams: Walsall v Port Vale
Competition: League Two
Venue: Banks’s stadium
Kick-off: Saturday 19th December, 3pm
Image: Banks’s Stadium by Ell Brown is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Form guide:
The Vale’s form is nothing to write home about. Those two home draws mean it’s just one win in the last eight League games. In contrast, Walsall have three straight League wins.
Port Vale team news:
Will manager John Askey stick or twist after the draw against Forest Green? Wideman Alex Hurst and Devante Rodney (pictured) both started well but faded. Will they start again or will the likes of David Amoo, David Worrall or Cristian Montano come into the team? Will Manny Oyeleke come into the central midfield or does he need more time to recover? Will Zak Mills remain at right-back or is Mitch Clark in contention?
Possible Starting XI:
Brown – Mills, Legge Smith, Fitzpatrick – Joyce, Burgess, Conlon – Hurst, Pope, Rodney
One to watch:
This could be a big match for veteran Tom Pope. Vale are still looking for a solution to who plays in the centre of the forward three and Pope has impressed in recent games. His hold-up play is excellent and his shot provided the own-goal on Tuesday. He may lack pace but with speedy widemen alongside him, it may work to play the experienced Pope in the middle. Another good performance on Saturday will of course help.
Opposition players to watch:
Dangerman: Striker Elijah Adebayo has been in good form this season. The powerful 22 year-old has eight goals this season including four goals in the last five games.
Others:
The only ever-present in the League so far is defender Dan Scarr. The powerful 25 year-old is closing on a hundred appearances for the Saddlers.
Stoke-on-Trent born forward Josh Gordon has four goals from ten appearances this season. The striker began his career at Stoke City before a spell at Newcastle Town.
Goalkeeper Liam Roberts started the season but in recent games, 25 year-old Jack Rose, who stands six foot five inches tall has started.
Teenager Alfie Bates has broken into the first-team this season. The nineteen year-old has now made ten starts in the League.
Opposition manager:
Manager Darrell Clarke is a Vale oddity as holder of one of the shortest Port Vale careers on record. On loan from Hartlepool United in 2005 he played a solitary minute as a sub during his stay. In terms of management, Clark cut his teeth at Salisbury City before a spell with Bristol Rovers. He joined Walsall in May 2019 and has now been in charge for 68 games.
Image: YouTube
Pre-match quote
When you feel like you are on top, you do want to get yourselves in front. We did get the goal but haven’t managed to get to half time. But we were pleased with the level of performance…
Coach Dave Kevan on the draw with Forest Green
Connections:
Then Shrewsbury Town defender Zak Jules didn’t have the greatest of times when on loan at Port Vale in 2018. He played twice for a total of 141 minutes before he was dropped and didn’t feature again. However, after a successful spell at Macclesfield, the defender joined Walsall where he has now made almost 40 appearances.
Image: YouTube
Played for both:
Other players who featured for both sides are:
Central defender Dean Smith, (pictured) who is now the manager of Premier League side Aston Villa.
Goalkeeper Keith Ball, who made 130 appearances for Port Vale between 1968 and 1972, winning promotion in 1969.
Left-sided defender Kris Taylor, who made 93 appearances for Walsall and 75 for the Valiants.
Port Vale legend (and father of current Vale manager John) Colin Askey, who was a member of the legendary “Iron Curtain” side, making 2017 appearances for Vale and a further 83 for Walsall.
Last time we met:
The two sides last met at the Banks’s Stadium back in February where it ended in a 2-2 draw. Vale’s goalscorers were Leon Legge (pictured) and Scott Burgess. The home game ended in a 1-0 defeat as Vale also saw Tom Conlon dismissed. However, after many years of poor results against Walsall, Vale’s recent away record is good. The Valiants are unbeaten in their last three visits including two wins.
The stats:
Overall record: 24 Port Vale wins | 42 Port Vale losses | 27 draws
From the archives…
In November 1986, the Valiants finally ended a 21 game losing streak against Walsall that stretched back to 1965. They ended it in style as a “‘fluent, passing game” saw John Rudge’s side triumph 4-1. The goals came from striker Andy Jones (a double) and midfielders Robbie Earle and Jon Bowden. Pictured above is Jon Bowden wheeling away in celebration after his goal. The game was played in front of 4,531 fans. Sadly, normal service was resumed in the away fixture with Vale losing 5-2.
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