Port Vale v Barnsley preview – a place in the final sixteen is at stake…
Port Vale v Barnsley preview – can the Valiants proceed to the final sixteen of the Football League Trophy competition?
Match Info
Venue: Vale Park stadium | Date: 23rd November 2022, 3pm | Competition: Football League Trophy
Predict the score
Pre-match quote
It is our biggest priority at the moment because it is our next game. When you get through the group stages as successfully as we did, with three different calibre of teams, that was the objective done and we moved on knowing that it would guarantee a home game. I think out of all the teams that were left in the competition, it was probably the hardest game we could have got in terms of the draw but we look forward to the game. We thought Barnsley were very good when we played them in the league game a couple of months ago, so we are expecting a really tough game, but the carrot at the end of the competition is to go and play at Wembley so that is all the motivation the group needs…
Port Vale assistant manager Andy Crosby
Port Vale team news
We’re expecting plenty of changes for this one – and it will probably include: starts for Saturday’s subs Dennis Politic, Aidan Stone, Lewis Cass and Harry Charsley. Youngsters Tommy McDermott and James Plant could also feature. Suspension-free Ellis Harrison may get a run-out too.
The likes of James Wilson, David Worrall and Tom Conlon are likely to be rested as they’ve all suffered from injuries already this season.
Opposition team news
Striker Slobodan Tedic is unlikely to be involved, as he has not featured since sustaining an ankle injury against Shrewsbury. James Norwood is also a doubt in attack, having struggled with an injury recently, so Fabio Jalo may be chosen to partner Jack Aitchison upfront.
Youngsters Will Lancaster and Jasper Moon featured for the Tykes in the EFL Trophy match against Doncaster Rovers, and they could be given more first-team game time on Wednesday night.
Man in charge
Belfast-born 44 year-old Michael Duff was appointed in June after a successful stint at Charlton Athletic. His Barnsley record is 24 games with a 54% win ratio.
Familiar faces
Barnsley will be very familiar to Port Vale Director of Football David Flitcroft who managed the club between 2012 and 2013. He had a 31% win ratio during his time at the club.
Face from the past
The late Lee Collins was sold from Port Vale to Barnsley in 2012 as the club tried to raise money after going into administration. He made over 150 appearances for the Valiants but just seven for the Tykes.
Through the years…
The two sides first met in 1898 when it finished in a 2-0 home win for the Valiants. The last home fixture finished in a 1-0 home loss for the Valiants in 2016.
Last time we met…
The Valiants came from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw at Oakwell earlier this season thanks to an Ellis Harrison (pictured) strike.
Overall record
46 Port Vale wins | 20 draws | 46 Port Vale losses
From the archives
Courtesy of our YouTube channel, here’s a full match from the 1990s…
A brief history of…
The club were founded in 1887 and since 1888 they have been based at the Oakwell stadium. They joined the Football League in 1898.
They reached the FA Cup final, where they lost out to Newcastle United after a replay. In 1912, they reached the FA Cup final again, and defeated West Bromwich Albion 1–0 once again after a replay. They have also won the Football League Trophy in 2016.
Were you paying attention?
Our traditional quiz…
- Who is the current Barnsley manager?
- What was the score the last time the two teams met?
- In which year were the club formed?
- In what year did they win the FA Cup?
Answers below (no cheating)…
- Michael Duff
- Barnsley 1-1 Port Vale
- 1887
- 1912