Port Vale v Exeter City preview – boosted upfront, now can Vale keep it tight at the back?
After seven games without a win, the Valiants are desperately in need of three points as they take on Exeter City on Saturday afternoon.
Predict the score
Preamble
It’s clearly been a poor run of form for Port Vale and they badly need a win to address it and avoid getting dragged into the relegation zone. The return of forwards Matty Taylor and Ellis Harrison will help but the side need to tighten up at the back too.
Pre-match comments
One or two players are coming back and it is nice to have some striker options coming back into the fold. When you are on a run like we are on, it is up to myself and my staff to make sure that the boys are coming into work confident and resetting because you always have a chance in football because games come thick and fast and we have a chance on Saturday to put it right.
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke
We’re in for another difficult game against them. They will fight and compete and we have to be ready to go up against that. They have a big squad so they’ve got a lot of options to chop and change their personnel.
Exeter manager Gary Caldwell
An easy day at Port Vale just doesn’t happen. They’re high energy, they’re a strong team, they’re a good team, so it’ll be a physical battle for sure. I feel like we have enough in this dressing room to go there and get the points. We’ll respect them, but we’ll go there and do what we have to do to get the three points.
Exeter captain Will Aimston
Port Vale team news
Despite the loss to Barnsley, it was a boost for the Valiants to be able to draw on trio of returning forwards Jamie Proctor (pictured), Ellis Harrison and Matty Taylor. With Dennis Politic, Mipu Odubeko and Dan Butterworth also options, it now leaves the Vale with plenty of choices upfront.
However, at the back, Nathan Smith aside, it has been a pretty poor show by the defence. Goalkeeper Aidan Stone didn’t do much wrong on Tuesday and could keep his place while Will Forrester hasn’t looked out of place since returning. However, there’s certainly a question mark on the left where many fans would prefer Dan Jones, if fit, over loanee Aaron Donnelly.
There’s also a question mark for the left wingback spot with Mal Benning looking out of sorts recently. With the returning forwards, Gavin Massey could be switched to a wingback role or another option could be a run out for Sammy Robinson on the left.
Opposition team news
Exeter will be missing top-scorer Jevani Brown as he awaits court proceedings following an assault charge. Defender Cheick Diabate is also missing after suffering a broken foot. Goalkeeper Jamal Blackman is also a doubt as he recovers from a hip problem.
Form guide
Both teams are hardly setting the world alight with their form. It’s been four games since the Vale defence’s last clean sheet.
Port Vale: D-L-D-L-L
Exeter: L-W-L-L-D
Man in charge
40 year-old former Scotland International Gary Caldwell took over in October after the departure of Matt Taylor. Caldwell has had previous spells at Wigan and Chesterfield. His record at Exeter stands at 18 games with a 27% win ratio.
Familiar faces
There’s no players who have appeared for either side. However, Exeter played a part in the career of Vale skipper Tom Conlon. The captain made his professional debut against Exeter City in 2013 while he was a Peterborough United player.
Vintage connection
Chris Banks (second from right, front row, on the photo) retired from his role as Port Vale physio this summer – but during his playing days he represented both clubs. Banks progressed through the junior ranks to make 87 appearances for the Valiants and then moved to Exeter in 1988 where he made fifty appearances.
Through the years…
The two sides first met in a competitive fixture in 1938 when it ended in a 3-1 win for the Valiants. Vale have a decent recent record at St James Park having won their last two games – including that dramatic win last season (pictured) when Vale secured a place in the play-offs. However, the Vale have only won once in the last three home fixtures.
Last time we met…
The Valiants exited the FA Cup earlier this season in a game which finished 3-2 to Exeter. Dennis Politic and Dan Butterworth were on the scoresheet for the Valiants. Exeter appear to be somewhat of a bogey team in recent months with Vale losing the season opener 4-0 at St James Park.
Overall record
25 Port Vale wins
12 draws
21 Port Vale losses
From the archives
Some photos from that dramatic final game of the season in 2022:
A brief history of…
Exeter City were founded in 1901 and played their games at St James Park, the stadium which they still play at till this day. They were invited to join the Third Division in 1920. They lost their Football League status in 2003 before returning in 2008.
Were you paying attention?
Our traditional quiz…
- Who is the current Exeter manager?
- What was the score the last time the two teams met?
- In which year were the club formed?
- When did Exeter return to the Football League?
Answers below (no cheating)…
Quiz answers…
- Gary Caldwell
- Port Vale 2-3 Exeter City
- 1901
- 2008