Port Vale v Barnsley preview – a chance to avenge opening day humiliation?
It’s clearly a big ask following their recent form but can Vale raise their game on Boxing Day?
PREAMBLE
- Opposition: Barnsley
- Competition: League One
- Venue: Vale Park stadium
- Date: Boxing Day, 3pm
Must do better. After their fortunate draw at the weekend, fans will want to see the Vale put on a much better display at home. They will have to do it without influential pair Funso Ojo and Ollie Arblaster.
TEAM NEWS
Line-Up
After the uninspiring display at Wycombe will Andy Crosby be tempted into changes again? Nathan Smith appears out of sorts at the back but Kofi Balmer is out of form – could Jason Lowe be employed instead? There’s likely to be a patched together midfield again while upfront… well, it’s anyone’s guess…
Injuries
Vale will miss influential midfielders Funso Ojo (pictured) and Ollie Arblaster for this one. In defence, Dan Jones and Mitch Clark are likely to be still missing. Upfront, Uche Ikpeazu missed the Wycombe game through illness while James Wilson may only be fit for the bench.
OPPONENTS
- League position: 7th
- Form: W-L-W-D-W
- Top-scorer: Devante Cole (12)
- Manager: Neill Collins
Season so far
After their stunning start against the Valiants, Barnsley have settled into the play-off places. They haven’t lost in their last five League games.
Last game
Barnsley recovered from going a goal down to defeat promotion rivals Stevenage 2-1 at Oakwell.
Man in charge
Neill Collins was appointed in the summer and has won 50% of his 28 games in charge.
ARCHIVE
Taken from our very own onevalefan YouTube channel, here’s the full ninety minutes of a match from the 1990s…
CONNECTIONS
Current
Barnsley boss Neill Collins will be familiar to some Vale fans as he had a brief spell on loan with the Valiants. The defender had a seven game loan spell during the 2014-15 season.
Oakwell will be very familiar to Port Vale Director of Football David Flitcroft, who managed the club between 2012 and 2013. He had a 31% win ratio during his time at the club.
Former
There have been a number of players to appear for both clubs over the years. Defender Lee Collins was sold to the Tykes in 2012 as the Valiants went into administration. Dutch midfielder Robin van der Laan also served both clubs with distinction. There’s also diminutive winger Chris Shuker who had spells with both clubs.
HISTORY
- Port Vale wins: 47
- Draws: 20
- Port Vale losses: 48
Matches
The two sides first met in 1898 when it finished in a 2-0 home win for the Valiants. Interestingly in the first six seasons that the two clubs met it finished all-square in every one with each club winning one fixture. That run finally ended in 1906 when Barnsley did the double. The last visit to Oakwell, well, you probably don’t want us to remind you of that one.
Brief History
The club were founded in 1887 and since 1888 they have been based at the Oakwell stadium. They joined the Football League in 1898. They reached the FA Cup final, where they lost out to Newcastle United after a replay. In 1912, they reached the FA Cup final again, and defeated West Bromwich Albion 1–0 once again after a replay. They have also won the Football League Trophy in 2016.
Predict the score
And finally
Discuss
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…
Quiz time
- Who is the current Barnsley manager?
- What was the score when the sides last met?
- When were the club formed?
Kev Small
27th December 2023 @ 12:19 pm
Is Crosby still here