Bristol Rovers v Port Vale preview – can Valiants return to winning ways on Tuesday evening?
It’s a trip to Bristol for a midweek game against Joey Barton’s Bristol Rovers. How will Andy Crosby’s side fare? Here’s our preview.
MATCH PREVIEW
Bristol Rovers v Port Vale: Tuesday October 3rd, Memorial stadium, League One
PREAMBLE
The Valiants may have lost at home to Bolton on Saturday but the team still earned praise both from Andy Crosby and opposition manager Ian Evatt. The main problem for the Valiants continues to be converting chances – will that lead to a change in personnel or formation – or will Andy Crosby keep faith with the same starting XI?
TEAM NEWS
This game may be touch and go for Alex Iacovitti after he was forced off early on Saturday. Should the big man miss out it leaves a gap on the left of defence – could Dan Jones return to fill it? Otherwise, Vale are likely to remain uncharged from the starting eleven that took on Bolton on Saturday. Tom Conlon and former Rovers man Ryan Loft remain sidelined through injury.
OPPOSITION
The home side sit in fourteenth place in the table and lost against Peterborough at the weekend. The opponents included striker Jonson Clark-Harris, a transfer deadline day target who Rovers failed to sign after completing the paperwork late. Having missed out on the Posh player, Rovers have added free agent and former Bristol City man Chris Martin to their squad. Highly rated forward Aaron Collins is back amongst the goals after a slow start to the season and will be one to watch.
MAN IN CHARGE
He divides opinion but fair play to Joey Barton’s impact on the pitch. After a fairytale promotion to League One, they comfortably stayed up last season and now, back by new money, are looking for a play-off spot at least. Barton’s eye for a loan signing is also worth complimenting. Elliott Anderson, Connor Taylor and Jarell Quansah have all impressed during loan spells. Barton, pictured above in his Fleetwood days when visiting Vale Park for a friendly, joined Bristol Rovers in February 2021 and has a 37% win ratio from 139 games in charge.
PAST MEETINGS
The two sides first met in 1938 when it finished in a 1-0 away victory for the Valiants. In 1989, Vale secured promotion to the second division after a two-legged play-off final win over Rovers with Robbie Earle scoring four times against them that season – in both League clashes and both play-off games. Last season, Vale lost 1-0 in Bristol but won 2-0 in Burslem with Ellis Harrison and Tom Pett on target.
BRIEF HISTORY
The club was founded in 1883 as Black Arabs FC and entered the Bristol & District League as Eastville Rovers in 1892. The club changed its name to Bristol Rovers in 1899. They were admitted to the Football League in 1920. They have won the Watney Cup in 1972, and have been Football League Trophy finalists two times.
ARCHIVE
From our YouTube channel, here’s the two play-off matches against Bristol Rovers from back in 1989…
OVERALL RECORD
29 Port Vale wins
19 draws
23 Port Vale losses
THE QUIZ
Our now traditional match preview quiz. How many will you get. Answers below (no cheating!)…
- Who is the current Bristol Rovers manager?
- When was the club formed?
- What was the score the last time they met?
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:
- Joey Barton
- 1883
- Port Vale 2-0 Bristol Rovers