Port Vale v Wolves B preview – little interest and nothing at stake, but still a chance for squad minutes…
Port Vale v Wolves B preview – it’s a dead rubber tie against one of the loathed B sides which diminish this competition, but nevertheless here’s our preview…
Match Info
Venue: Vale Park stadium | Date: 18th Ocober 2022, 7.30pm | Competition: Football League Trophy group stages
Predict the score
Port Vale team news
This is effectively a dead rubber for the Valiants so the emphasis will surely be to give some squad members minutes while giving any players carrying knocks a rest. With that in mind we expect…
- Aidan Stone to return in goal
- The likes of Sam Robinson, Connor Hall and possibly even Derek Agyakwa to be handed defensive roles
- Tom Pett, Harry Charsley and Tommy McDermott to be drafted into the midfield
- Mipo Odebeko and possibly even James Plant to play upfront
Opposition team news
There are a few familiar faces that could be in the Wolves squad. They include:
- former Rochdale youngster Luke Matheson who was signed for £1m
- Irish U21 International midfielder Joe Hodge featured as a sub for the first-team at the weekend
- former Exeter City youngster Alfie Pond
The Wolves side have enjoyed a good Football League Trophy so far having won both their group games. They won 2-1 at Shrewsbury Town thanks to a double by Joe Hodge while they also won by the same score at Stockport County thanks to goals from Lee Harkin and Tyler Roberts.
Man in charge
44 year-old former Crewe player James Collins has been in charge of the Wolves B side since 2022. However, with Collins and David Artell in temporary charge of first-team affairs, it looks like Ian Sharps will be in charge for this game.
Through the years…
The two sides have only met once before. That took place in 2020 and ended in a 2-1 win for the Valiants. The scorers that day were Zak Mills and Harry McKirdy.
The Vale team that night also featured the likes of Dino Visser, David Fitzpatrick and Shaun Brisley.
Overall record
1 Port Vale wins | 0 draws | 0 Port Vale losses
From the archives
Highlights of that Vale win in 2020:
A brief history of…
Were you paying attention?
Our traditional quiz…
- Who is the current Wolves B manager?
- What was the score the last time the two teams met?
- Which £1m player could be in the Wolves’ line-up?
- Who were the Vale scorers in the last meeting?
Answers below (no cheating)…
- James Collins
- Port Vale 2-1 Wolves B
- Luke Matheson
- Harry McKirdy and Zak Mills