Port Vale v Peterborough United preview – can Valiants build on away point at Stevenage?
Port Vale v Peterborough United preview – the Valiants ended their recent pointless run with a draw at Stevenage. Can they go one better at home to Posh? Here’s our preview…
MATCH PREVIEW
Port Vale v Peterborough United: Tuesday October 24th, Vale Park stadium, League One
PREAMBLE
The goalless draw against Stevenage was good for two reasons – firstly it saw the Vale defence record a first clean sheet in nine games. It also saw Vale use two forwards in Ryan Loft and Uche Ikpeazu – with the latter looking a handful for the Stevenage defence despite still being short of match fitness.
Away from the pitch, the club issued an update on the Railway Paddock. With toilet facilities damaged by recent stormy conditions, there will be a reduced capacity in that section until a new block is built in the New Year.
TEAM NEWS
We would imagine the main question would be whether either or both of Ryan Loft and Uche Ikpeazu can play a second game in four days. If Andy Crosby (pictured) decides for the safety-first option, it may mean that Josh Thomas starts this midweek fixture. It will also be interesting to see if Mitch Clark or James Plant start in the left wingback role.
In terms of injuries – Alex Iacovitti, Conor Grant, James Wilson and Tom Conlon all remain sidelined.
OPPOSITION
The visitors are now eight games unbeaten in League One and drew their last match 2-2 against Wycombe Wanderers.
A club renowned for unearthing talent, the current golden boy is defender Ronnie Edwards, a player hotly tipped to move to a bigger club in January.
Top-scorer is the reliable Jonson Clarke-Harris. The 29 year-old now has 74 goals for the club.
MAN IN CHARGE
Familiar face Darren Ferguson rejoined the club on the 4th January for his FOURTH spell in charge. In total, he been in charge for 558 games with a 44% win ratio. The 51 year-old has also had spells with Doncaster Rovers and Preston for a career total of over 750 games as a manager.
PAST MEETINGS
The two sides first met in 1961 when it ended in a 1-0 home defeat for the Valiants.
Vale have a wretched recent record against Posh and haven’t scored against them in their last three meetings. The last player to score for Vale against Peterborough was striker Alex Jones, who netted twice back in 2016.
BRIEF HISTORY
Peterborough United formed in 1934. Having won the Midland League title for five consecutive seasons, they were elected into the Football League in 1960 and immediately won the Fourth Division title in 1960–61. They secured a place in the Championship after manager Darren Ferguson led them to consecutive promotions in 2007–08 and 2008–09 and spent three of the next four seasons in the second tier. They were relegated back into League One in 2013, although they went on to win the Football League Trophy in 2014.
CONNECTIONS
Former Vale captain Tom Conlon made his professional debut in 2013 while a Peterborough player but it was one of just three appearances for the side.
Other players to move between the two sides in recent years include loanee Idris Kanu and striker Ricky Miller. The latter was signed by former manager Neil Aspin.
Other players to play for both in recent years include Tyrone Barnett, Shaun Brisley and Colin Daniel.
OVERALL RECORD
18 Port Vale wins
16 draws
19 Port Vale losses
THE QUIZ
Our now traditional match preview quiz. How many will you get. Answers below (no cheating!)…
- Who is the current Peterborough Utd manager?
- How many spells has he had as Posh boss?
- When was the club formed?
- Who was the last Port Vale player to score against Peterborough?
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:
- Darren Ferguson
- Four
- 1934
- Alex Jones