Port Vale v Sheffield Wednesday preview – a full house and tough test as Valiants host Owls?
Port Vale v Sheffield Wednesday preview – the “sold-out” signs have made an appearance as the Vale take on one of the division’s sleeping giants.
Match Info
Venue: Vale Park stadium | Date: 1st Ocober 2022, 3pm | Competition: League One
Predict the score
Pre-match quotes
We will get the data on Port Vale and work towards that one. It’s a difficult place to go but we will be ready for it…
Sheff Wed manager Darren Moore
Port Vale team news
The Vale starting eleven has been a constantly evolving thing since the start of the season and it’s unlikely this game will prove to be any different. After the comprehensive defeat to Peterborough United it’s tricky to know what changes will be made. Duo James Wilson and Ellis Harrison look the strongest pairing upfront and should start but the likes of Tom Conlon and Brad Walker (pictured) could come into the midfield.
Harry Charsley, Jamie Proctor and Rory Holden are unlikely to feature as they recover from injury.
Opposition team news
Wednesday will be smarting from last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Yorkshire rivals Barnsley. That game ended an unbeaten run of five matches. However, Wednesday are hopeful that fans favourite George Byers will be fit to play at Vale Park as he recovers from injury. However, Mark McGuiness, Dennis Adeniran and Akin Famewo are expected to miss out.
Meet (some of) the squad…
- Captain Barry Bannon is now 32. He started his career at Aston Villa.
- Former Stoke forward Lee Gregory, now 34, will be well-known to Vale fans.
- Forward Michael Smith was signed from Rotherham United in the summer.
- Midfielder Josh Windass is approaching 300 career appearances.
Man in charge
Former West Brom and Derby centre-half Darren Moore was appointed manager in March 2021. He was a win ratio of 45.8% from 83 games.
Familiar faces
There are no players on either side who have played for the opposition. However, over the years there have been a number who will be familiar to both sets of fans. They include:
Striker Mark Bright, (pictured) who started his professional career at Vale Park and who was runner-up in both the FA Cup and League Cup finals for the club.
Another striker, Colin West, had spells with both sides. West came on loan to Vale Park in 1991 after a previous spell with Wednesday.
There’s also midfielder Ian Taylor, who was sold to Sheff Wed for £1m before having greater success at Aston Villa.
Through the years…
The two sides first met in 1900 when it ended in a 3-0 win for Sheff Wed. The two sides have met sporadically through the years and it has often been a positive result – there have been just four draws in thirty games between the two sides.
Last time we met…
The Valiants pulled off a minor shock in the League Cup when goals from the Taylors – Kris and Rob – gave the club a 2-0 win. To compound Wednesday’s misery, Francis Jeffers was sent-off.
Overall record
12 Port Vale wins | 4 draws | 14 Port Vale losses
From the archives
Here’s a report from a 2016 friendly game where Bruno Ribero (sorry Vale fans) saw his side suffer a heavy summer defeat. You can also watch the goals below:
A brief history of…
Sheffield Wednesday were founded in 1867 as an offshoot of The Wednesday Cricket Club and they were known as The Wednesday Football Club until 1929. In 1992, they became founder members of the Premier League. The team has spent most of its league history in English football’s top flight, but they have not played at that level since being relegated in 2000. Over its long and illustrious history, the club has been League champions four times, won three FA Cup finals and also lifted the League Cup.
Were you paying attention?
Our traditional quiz…
- Who is the current Sheff Wed manager?
- What was the score the last time the two teams met?
- In which year were the club formed?
- How many League titles have they won?
Answers below (no cheating)…
- Darren Moore
- Port Vale 2-0 Sheff Wed
- 1867
- Four