Walsall v Port Vale preview – another crucial game for promotion chasing Valiants
Walsall v Port Vale preview – it goes without saying this is one of the Vale’s biggest games of the season as they look to boost their promotion chances. Who will prevail? Here’s our preview…
Match details
Details:
Walsall v Port Vale
League Two
Bescot Stadium
Saturday April 23rd, 2022, 3pm
Last time we met?
The Valiants captain Tom Conlon was red carded as Walsall recorded a 1-0 away win
Overall record:
24 Vale wins, 27 draws and 45 defeats.
Valiants team news
Interim manager Andy Crosby will need to work out whether to stick or twist after the home upset against Walsall. With central midfield options limited after injuries to Tom Conlon, Tom Pett and Brad Walker, Jake Taylor struggled at times against Rovers in an unfamiliar withdrawn position – understandable after many months out of the side through injury. Taylor’s replacement – Dan Jones – also played out of position highlighting Vale’s shortcomings. Crosby’s options appear to be to stick with the favoured 3-5-2 formation which would probably mean persisting with Taylor as he regains match fitness or switching formation to get around the lack of central midfield options.
Tom Conlon is out for the season but there are hopes that the likes of James Gibbons and Tom Pett could be back in contention soon and both would strengthen Vale ahead of the crucial end of season fixtures.
Bin the boos – back the boys
OVF recently published this appeal for supporters to get behind the team as the Valiants approach the crucial final stages of the season.
Opposition team news
Forward Connor Wilkinson has been ruled out for the rest of the season through injury while veteran Stephen Ward has announced his retirement.
Man in charge: Michael Flynn
- Age: 41
- Games in charge: 13
- Win ratio: 38%
The former Wrexham boss was appointed as successor to Matt Taylor in February.
Recent form…
Port Vale
That home defeat to Bristol Rovers ended an unbeaten streak of nineteen games for the Valiants.
Form (all competitions):
Top scorer (all competitions):
Proctor (13)
The opposition
Walsall have recorded just one win in their last five games.
Form (all competitions) :
Top scorer (all competitions):
Miller (11)
Connection
Walsall included two former Valiants in their side for the 1-0 defeat to Crawley. Former Valiants defender Zak Mills started while striker Devante Rodney came on as a 74th minute sub. Rodney was the last transfer between the two sides when he left Vale for an undisclosed fee during the January transfer window.
Another notable connection is Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke, who will sadly miss this game due to a close family bereavement. Our thoughts and best wishes are with the Clarke family during this difficult time.
Potted history
The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town and Walsall Swifts. They were invited to join the Football League in 1892 but lost their place for twenty years in 1901. They were invited back with the formation of the Football League Division Three North in 1921. Walsall have won promotion eight times as well as finishing runners-up in the Football League Trophy.
After 94 years at Fellows Park, the club moved to the Bescot stadium in 1990. The new stadium cost £4.5m to construct.
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 Walsall manager?
- When were Walsall formed?
- Which two former Valiants played in Walsall’s last game?
Quiz answers (no cheating):
- Port Vale 0-1 Walsall
- Michael Flynn
- 1888
- Zak Mills and Devante Rodney