Colchester Utd v Port Vale preview
Colchester Utd v Port Vale preview: it’s a vital game against fellow strugglers, can the Valiants continue their recent improved form in Essex?
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DISCUSS THIS GAME ON THE DEDICATED FORUM THREADMatch details:
Teams: Colchester Utd v Port Vale
Competition: League Two
Venue: Jobserve Community stadium
Kick-off: Tuesday 20th March, 3pm
Form guide:
Vale’s increased workrate was rewarded on Tuesday with goals and a win over Newport County. However, that was the club’s first win in nine games. Colchester’s form is equally poor with just one win in nineteen matches.
Port Vale team news:
Manager Darrell Clarke will no doubt be keen to keep the same starting eleven that impressed against Newport County but he has some issues to consider first. David Worrall received some physical treatment from the Newport players on Tuesday and Vale fans will be hoping the hugely influential winger is fit to play on Saturday. Cristian Montano returned from injury on Tuesday and Vale will also be hoping he shows no ill effects. The third player Vale will be keen to see fit is midfielder Manny Oyeleke whose fitness issues are well documented. The likes of James Gibbons and Tom Pope are likely to be still out of contention.
Possible Starting XI:
Brown – Mills, Legge, Smith, Montano – Joyce, Conlon, Oyeleke – Rodney, Robinson, Worrall
One to watch:
Manager Darrell Clarke has kept faith with Theo Robinson in recent games. The forward has had a poor start to second spell at Vale Park but to his credit he has put in some improved performances recently. However, what he’s clearly missing is a goal which could do wonders to his confidence. One against his former club would be a huge boost to both player and club.
Opposition manager:
Colchester’s caretaker manager is currently Wayne Brown after the departure of Steve Ball. Brown had been a coach at the club before a spell as a manager of non-league Maldon and Tiptree. He’s been in charge for six games, winning just one. Brown had two spells as a player for Colchester making over a hundred appearances.
Opposition team:
Forward Callum Harriott is the top scorer with eight goals but he’s now without a goal in four games. There’s some experienced faces in the squad such as Paris Cowan-Hall and Frank Nouble. Tom Eastman has been with the club for an age having now reached 400 appearances for the U’s. He’s also been the club’s player of the year on no less than four occasions. The current club captain is the experienced midfielder Harry Pell.
Away from the game
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Connections:
Vale have two strikers who have had spells at Colchester in Kurtis Guthrie (pictured) and Theo Robinson. Guthrie played for the U’s for two years between 2016 and 2018 while Theo Robinson had a successful loan spell in 2019.
Other players to appear for both clubs in recent years include Ryan Inniss, Rekeil Pyke, Liam Chilvers and Doug Loft.
Going back a little further, Ray Harford joined Port Vale in 1971 for £5,000 from Mansfield Town. However, the defender failed to establish himself in the Port Vale side and was sold on to Colchester for £1,750 in 1973. His spell at Colchester was more successful as he made over a hundred appearances. He also won promotion and was named the player of the year in 1974.
Harford went on to have a long managerial career notably with Luton Town where he won promotion. He sadly passed away in 2003 aged 58.
Last time we met:
It was a 1-1 draw earlier in the season with striker Devante Rodney the Vale scorer. Vale’s last visit to Colchester also ended in a 1-1 draw with veteran Tom Pope the scorer on that occasion. The Valiants have a decent record record at Colchester. In the last five fixtures they have managed a win, two draws and two losses.
The stats:
Overall record: 21 Port Vale wins | 25 Port Vale losses | 16 draws
Away from the game
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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