Port Vale v Bolton Wanderers preview – can Valiants return to winning ways in the League?
A defeat and a draw in the League was followed by a win in the Cup. How will Port Vale fare on Saturday afternoon? Here’s our preview.
MATCH PREVIEW
Port Vale v Bolton Wanderers: Saturday September 30th, Vale Park stadium, League One
PREAMBLE
After the midweek diversion of the Football League Cup, Vale return to League action with the visit of Bolton Wanderers, one of the division’s biggest clubs.
Vale’s unbeaten run may have come to an end but the Valiants seem to addressed things with a draw against Cambridge and a win over Sutton in the cup.
Away from the first team, the club have also announced the potentially highly lucrative sale of teenager Freddie Lawrie to Aston Villa
TEAM NEWS
The Valiants made nine changes for the League Cup game against Sutton but are expected to bring back many of their regular starters for this.
Top of the list will undoubtedly be Nathan Smith, who will return to the back three alongside Alex Iacovitti. It will be interesting to see who takes the third spot in the backline with Kofi Balmer, Lewis Cass and Dan Jones all available.
Funso Ojo and Ollie Arblaster are set to resume in central midfield with Ben Garrity and Ethan Chislett more advanced. Upfront James Wilson is likely to start but midweek goalscorer Josh Thomas is also an option.
OPPOSITION
Currently standing in seventh place in the table, hopes will be high that Bolton will be challenging for promotion this season. They will be boosted in that regard by key striker Dion Charles turning down approaches from elsewhere and agreeing a new deal at the start of the season. Charles is joint top-scorer alongside fellow forward Victor Adeboyejo.
Wanderers drew with Peterborough in their last League game but are fresh from an 8-1 thrashing of Man Utd B in the Football League Trophy.
MAN IN CHARGE
Former Chesterfield and Barrow manager Ian Evatt joined Bolton in July 2020. The 41 year-old has been in charge for 177 games so far with a 47% win ratio.
PAST MEETINGS
The first game between the two sides was in 1899 and Vale had to wait until 1988 to record their first competitive win. They obviously enjoyed it so much they repeated it again the same year. The last game at Vale Park ended in a 0-0 draw last season.
The last Vale win over Bolton came in 2020 but over the years wins have been few and far between with Vale recording just three in the 41 meetings between the sides.
BRIEF HISTORY
Formed as Christ Church Football Club in 1874, Bolton Wanderers adopted their current name in 1877 and were a founder member of the Football League in 1888. The period before and after WW1 is regarded as the club’s finest as they challenged in the top division. Over the years Wanderers have won four FA Cups and two League Cups.
ARCHIVE
Two of the three Vale wins over Bolton. On the left are the highlights of a remarkable Vale win from December 2020. The Valiants ran out 6-3 winners in a goalfest. Six different Vale players found the net. On the right, taken from our YouTube channel, is a win from back in 1988 when Vale won thanks to a late winner from Ray Walker, set up by (of all people) Bob Hazell…
OVERALL RECORD
3 Port Vale wins
11 draws
27 Port Vale losses
THE QUIZ
Our now traditional match preview quiz. How many will you get. Answers below (no cheating!)…
- Who is the current Bolton manager?
- When was the club formed?
- What was the score the last time they met at Vale Park?
JOIN THE DEBATE
Our dedicated match thread on the forum is the place to go to discuss the match before, during and after the action. View the thoughts of fellow fans and add your comments…
GO'ARN THE VALE!
Quiz answers:
- Ian Evatt
- 1874
- Port Vale 0-0 Bolton Wanderers
