Charlton Athletic v Port Vale preview – will it be a Valley of gloom or a Vale of glory?
Port Vale travel to South London for their latest League One away game. It looks to be a tough task against Charlton. Here’s our preview…
Venue: The Valley stadium | Date: 19th August 2023, 3pm | Competition: League One
Predict the score
Preamble
It’s fair to say that Vale have recovered well from that opening day shocker against Barnsley. A win in the League Cup along with a win and a draw in the League have made it a decent run for the Valiants. However, there are still issues to be resolved particularly the lack of forward options in the squad. Ellis Harrison’s injury, James Wilson’s lack of match fitness and a desire to rest youngster Josh Thomas meant Gavin Massey lined up in an unfamiliar forward role in midweek.
Port Vale team news
If Ellis Harrison continued to be ruled out then it’s likely that the Valiants will recall loanee Josh Thomas as the side’s sole starting forward (unless things develop in the transfer window). It was a boost to see Jason Lowe make his first start in midweek, but it’s uncertain when loanee Kofi Balmer will be fit to be in contention. Tom Conlon remains on the long-term injury list.
Vale’s one to watch…
It’s a small sample size (four games, two as sub) but Alex Iacovitti had arguably his best game in a Port Vale shirt since signing in the summer. The powerful defender has impressed both at the back and also as an option upfront during set pieces.
Opposition team news
Charlton have brought in the likes of Harry Isted, Panutche Camara, Lloyd Jones, Terry Taylor, Tayo Edun and Alfie May since the end of last season to bolster their ranks. However, it’s still been a disappointing start to their season with the side losing two out of three games.
Charltons’s one to watch…
Striker Alfie May will be well-known to many Vale fans from his spell at Cheltenham Town. The 30 year-old has yet to get off the mark this campaign but he netted 22 times last season and will pose a real threat to the Valiants backline.
Man in charge
43 year-old Dean Holden took over in December 2022. The former Bristol City manager has now been in charge for thirty games and boasts a 40% win ratio.
Familiar faces
There are no players in either squad to have appeared for the opposition. However, in recent years there have been several players to appear for both clubs. The list includes winger Jerome Thomas, defender Ryan Inniss, winger Mark Marshall and defender Lawrie Wilson.
Through the years…
The two sides first met back in 1930 when it finished in a 1-1 draw. Meetings have been few and far between since then with just 32 over the proceeding 92 years. Vale are unbeaten in their last three home fixtures against Charlton. However, it’s a different story at the Valley with Port Vale’s last win coming way back in 1996.
Last time we met…
James Plant scored his first senior goal for the club as the Valiants slipped to a 3-2 loss in their final away game of the season. Loanee Matty Taylor was the other goalscorer for the Vale. You can read our match report here
Overall record
9 Port Vale wins | 10 draws | 15 Port Vale losses
From the archive
Taken from our YouTube channel, here’s a look back at Tony Naylor’s superb hat-trick at the Valley back in 1996…
A brief history of…
The club was founded in 1905 and turned professional in 1920, joining the Football League one year later. They have largely played at the Valley since 1919 apart from brief spells at the Mount and Selhurst Park. Charlton were promoted to Division One in 1936 and finished second the next season. Beaten finalists in 1946, they lifted the FA Cup in 1947. The departure of Jimmy Seed in 1956, manager for 23 years, saw the club relegated out of the top-flight the following year. They returned to the top-flight in 1986 before being relegated in 1990. Charlton won the 1998 play-off final to make their debut in the Premier League. Though they were relegated the next year, they returned in 2000 to spend seven successive years in the Premier League.
Our traditional quiz…
- Who is the current Charlton manager?
- What was the score the last time the two teams met?
- In which year were the club formed?
- Who scored a hat-trick for Vale in 1996?
Answers below (no cheating)…
Join the debate
Our forum is the place to be to discuss the game. Join the debate before, during and after kick-off and share your thoughts with fellow Vale fans. Just click on the link below:
Quiz answers
- Dean Holden
- Charlton Athletic 3-2 Port Vale
- 1905
- Tony Naylor
