Mansfield Town v Port Vale preview – Valiants praying for no Halloween nightmares as Crosby aims to lift gloom with cup progress?
The focus turns from League to Cup as the Valiants aim for a place in the final eight of the EFL Cup competition. Here’s our preview…
MATCH PREVIEW
Mansfield Town v Port Vale: Tuesday October 31st, Field Mill stadium, League One
PREAMBLE
The Valiants left the pitch on Saturday afternoon to a chorus of boos. The only good thing about the game against Cheltenham was a first goal in five games as the Vale slumped to a 2-1 home loss with what Andy Crosby described as the “poorest performance this season”. Hardly ideal preparations for a tricky midweek test at Mansfield!
TEAM NEWS
To compound issues, Vale are best with injury and fitness concerns.
On the fitness front – forwards Ryan Loft and Uche Ikpeazu are still not ready for a full ninety minutes action while Tom Conlon has only just returned from a long lay-off.
On the injury front – Ben Garrity and Jason Lowe were ruled out on Friday and must be doubts for this game. Long-term injured Conor Grant and James Wilson are definitely out while the likes of Kofi Balmer, Alex Iacovitti and Dan Jones must all be considered highly doubtful.
OPPOSITION
We’ve already said several times that the fates are exactly in Vale’s favour and the fact that Mansfield have won four straight games in a row won’t help the Vale’s chances either!
The Stags have hit the target four times in two of those victories with striker Luca Akins scoring three times during the four game winning run.
MAN IN CHARGE
Familiar face Nigel Clough has been in charge at Mansfield Town since 2020. The 57 year-old is closing on 1,500 games as a manager with 167 of them coming in charge of the Stags (45% win ratio).
PAST MEETINGS
Who can forget the two clubs’ last meeting when the Valiants triumphed 3-0 at Wembley to win promotion to League One? You can read about that special day on our special page.
Vale played Town three times during that 2021-22 season and were unbeaten in all three.
The two clubs have never met in the League Cup but have met in the FA Cup in 1985 (Vale winning) and twice in the Football League Trophy (Vale losing one and drawing another).
BRIEF HISTORY
The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changing its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1902 and finally Mansfield Town in 1910. They were admitted to the Football League in 1931 before losing their League status in 2008. They spent five years in non-league before returning in 2013.
CONNECTIONS
Port Vale Director of Football David Flitcroft is a former Mansfield Town manager while Stags forward Will Swan had a loan spell with the Valiants.
There have been a number of connections in recent years with goalkeeper Aidan Stone, defender Mal Benning and manager Darrell Clarke amongst them.
OVERALL RECORD
24 Port Vale wins
17 draws
18 Port Vale losses
THE QUIZ
Our now traditional match preview quiz. How many will you get. Answers below (no cheating!)…
- Who is the current Mansfield Town manager?
- When was the club formed?
- Have the sides met in the League Cup before?
- Which current Town player has played for Vale?
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:
- Nigel Clough
- 1897
- No
- Will Swan