Port Vale v Scunthorpe Utd preview: can new-look Valiants secure first win of 2022?
Port Vale v Scunthorpe Utd preview: after three home defeats, Darrell Clarke’s side will be keen to net three points against Scunthorpe. Who will prevail? Here’s our preview…
Match details
Details:
Port Vale v Scunthorpe United
League Two
Vale Park stadium
Saturday January 29th, 2022, 3pm
Last time we met?
A solitary goal from Ben Garrity earned Vale a 1-0 away win earlier this season.
Overall record:
15 Vale wins, 17 draws and 16 defeats.
Waiting for the game?
If you’re online ahead of the game’s kick-0ff. you may want to try our friends at vegasslotsonline.casino to find the best online slot games. Read their online guides to many of the more popular sites and get the knowledge you require to tackle the games with confidence.
Pre-match quotes
“It’s going to be tough; they’ve been doing quite well this season but I can’t see why we can’t get a result…”
Scunthorpe Utd striker Tyrese Sinclair
“We’ve got to go with honesty and be humble. We have to respect the opponents. We’re going there to try and win the game, or otherwise we may as well sit at home and accept our fate. We’re looking forward to it and we’ve got to be brave.
“With respect to the opposition, they were my outstanding favourites to get promoted at the beginning of the season, purely because of the recruitment drive they went on and they have a real methodology in the way they want to play. Their recruitment and structure behind the scenes is all driven towards success, but on that road there are little bumps where you don’t have positive results and have to reset quickly…”
Scunthorpe Utd manager Keith Hill
Valiants team news
UPDATED: After a busy Friday’s business in the transfer market, it looks to be all change again for the Valiants. Newcomer Harry Charlsley is likely to be in the squad while Devante Rodney, sold to Walsall, will obviously be missing.
In goal, Darrell Clarke can choose between incumbent Aidan Stone and recent loan arrival Tomas Holy while the awful injury to James Gibbons opens up the opportunity for David Worrall to return after he missed last weekend through Covid. Another option, the unfortunate Lewis Cass has been ruled out for the season.
Elsewhere, defender Dan Jones may be fit enough to return to the squad but Jamie Proctor, Tom Conlon and Jake Taylor will all miss out. Another loan signing, Oxford’s Joel Cooper may make the bench.
Opposition team news
Scunthorpe are likely to have recent January signings Tyrese Sinclair (on loan from Mansfield Town) and veteran Liam Feeney in their squad.
Man in charge: Keith Hill
- Age: 52
- Games in charge: 14
- Win ratio: 7%
The former Rochdale manager was appointed in November.
Recent form…
Port Vale
It’s been five games since their last win but Vale at least ended their losing streak with a draw at Leyton Orient
Form (all competitions):
Top scorer (all competitions):
Proctor, Wilson, Garrity (7)
The opposition
Visitors Scunthorpe are in deep trouble with five straight League Two defeats. Their last win was on Boxing Day.
Form (all competitions) :
Top scorer (all competitions):
Loft (6) now departed the club
Connection: Jake Taylor
14 Scunthorpe appearances / 0 goals
49 Port Vale appearances / 9 goal
The midfielder is injured for this clash but nevertheless he has had a far more enjoyable time in Burslem than at Scunthorpe. After a highly successful spell with the Valiants on loan, he was then loaned out to Scunthorpe but managed just fourteen appearances without scoring.
He was signed on a permanent basis by Port Vale in January 2021. However, he has made just eleven appearances this season as he has struggled with injury.
From the archives
Potted history
Formed in 1899, the side turned professional in 1912 and were elected to the Football League in 1950. They secured their first promotion in 1958.
From 1968 the side spent 34 of the next 37 seasons in the basement tier, punctuated by one-season stays in the third tier after they secured promotions in 1971–72, 1982–83 and 1998–99. Their last promotion was 2014 before they returned to League Two in 2018.
Were you paying attention?
Here’s a quick quiz on the opponents:
- What was the score the last time the two sides met?
- Who is the current Scunthorpe Utd manager?
- When were Scunthorpe Utd formed?
- Which midfielder has played for both sides?
Quiz answers (no cheating):
- Scunthorpe Utd 0-1 Port Vale
- Keith Hill
- 1899
- Jake Taylor