Port Vale v Charlton Athletic preview – can home comforts help Valiants after late Carlisle loss?
It was a bitter blow for Andy Crosby’s side to lose the game late on at Carlisle. They may be missing several key players but their performances at Vale Park in recent weeks have generally been stronger. Can they therefore bounce back against Charlton? Here’s our preview…
PREAMBLE
- Opposition: Charlton Athletic
- Competition: League One
- Venue: Vale Park stadium
- Date: 6th January, 3pm
Well, that was a disappointing start to 2024. Vale took the lead through the prolific Ben Garrity on New Year’s Day only to lose it late to Mellish’s added-on time strike. It was also a game which was marred by some distasteful chanting aimed at Connor Ripley. Finally, it’s also worth remembering that this game is Vale’s designated memorial game where we will be paying tribute to Vale fans who have sadly left us. May they all rest in peace, forever Valiant.
TEAM NEWS
Line-Up
There’s plenty for Andy Crosby after he lamented individual errors and also counts the cost of more injuries for his depleted squad. Teenagers Jack Shorrock and Ben Lomax were subbed at half-time and they are likely to be replaced by the more experienced duo Conor Grant and Gavin Massey. Meanwhile, Ben Garrity and Jesse Debrah could both be doubtful.
Injuries
Crosby confirmed that Debrah and Garrity, who were both replaced during the Carlisle defeat were carrying injuries. Losing both for this game will be a big blow. Meanwhile Funso Ojo, Mitch Clark, Dan Jones and James Plant are all set to miss out.
OPPONENTS
- League position: 14th
- Form: D-D-L-L-L
- Top-scorer: Alfie May (19)
- Manager: Michael Appleton
Season so far
It’s been a tough spell for Athletic who are on their second manager of the season and on a run of eight games without a win in League and Cup. However, there’s an outside chance that top-scorer Alfie May could be available for this game.
Last game
New Year’s Day. Take the lead, lose 2-1. Sound familiar? It also happened to Charlton who lost at home to Oxford United.
Man in charge
Michael Appleton took over from Dean Holden in September. The former Oxford and Lincoln, among others, manager has eight wins from his twenty four games in charge.
ARCHIVE
We feel dutybound to roll this one out every time we face Charlton. Taken from our onevalefan YouTube channel it’s highlights of Tony Naylor’s spectacular hat-trick at the Valley in the 1990s. Take a tip from his goal celebration, sit back and relax and enjoy…
CONNECTIONS
Current
It’s a big of a tenuous one but defender Jesse Debrah had a one season trial at Charlton at the age of nine. Yep, we said it was tenuous!
Former
There’s been several players to appear for both sides over the years. The list includes striker Mark Bright, winger Jerome Thomas, defender Ryan Inniss and onevalefan favourite Andy Jones.
Further back, Jimmy Oakes is arguably one of Vale’s finest full-backs who enjoyed a ten year spell from 1923-33. Typically for the Valiants, he was sold due to a financial crisis, to Charlton for £3,000 where he would enjoy two promotions.
HISTORY
- Port Vale wins: 10
- Draws: 10
- Port Vale losses: 15
Matches
The two sides first met back in 1930 when it finished in a 1-1 draw. Meetings have been few and far between since then with just 33 over the proceeding 92 years. Earlier this season it ended in a dramatic 3-2 win for Vale thanks to a late Funso Ojo winner.
Brief history
The club was founded in 1905. They have largely played at the Valley since 1919 apart from brief spells at the Mount and Selhurst Park. Charlton were promoted to Division One in 1936 and finished second the next season. Beaten finalists in 1946, they lifted the FA Cup in 1947. The departure of Jimmy Seed in 1956, manager for 23 years, saw the club relegated out of the top-flight the following year. They returned to the top-flight in 1986 before being relegated in 1990. Charlton won the 1998 play-off final to make their debut in the Premier League. Though they were relegated the next year, they returned in 2000 to spend seven successive years in the Premier League.
Predict the score
And finally
Discuss
Our dedicated match thread on the forum is the place to go to debate the match before, during and after the action. View the thoughts of fellow fans and add your comments…
Quiz time
- When were Charlton Athletic formed?
- Who is their current manager?
- What was the score the last time we met?
Quiz Answers (no cheating)
- 1905
- Michael Appleton
- Charlton Athletic 2-3 Port Vale