New Port Vale manager Darren Moore takes on former Valiants boss Darrell Clarke as the two relegation threatened sides do battle. Here’s our preview…
PREAMBLE
- Opposition: Cheltenham Town
- Competition: League One
- Venue: Completely Suzuki stadium
- Date: 17th February, 3pm
What a game to have as your first in charge of Port Vale! After the midweek postponement of the game at Peterborough, the fixture list has given new Port Vale manager Darren Moore a mouth watering tie against former boss Darrell Clarke. What’s more with the sides neck and neck in the relegation zone, there’s loads riding on the result.
The Moore appointment looks to have gone down well with Vale fans and a win at Cheltenham will only increase optimism that the Valiants will beat the drop. However, the home side are no pushovers and are in a good run of form right now.
TEAM NEWS
Line-Up
It was a decent end to the game against Stevenage last weekend and the cancellation of the Peterborough game has given the likes of James Wilson and Funso Ojo, both troubled with injuries, additional rest. So, it is possible that Vale will name an unchanged line-up. However, with a new manager on board, Darren Moore may want to swap things around. That’s a long way of us saying we really don’t know what the line-up will be.
Injuries
Dan Jones has returned to the squad while the likes of loanee Dan Gore, James Plant and Mitch Clark are not too far away. However, key players Ben Garrity and Uche Ikpeazu remain on the long-term injury list.
OPPONENTS
- League position: 21st
- Form: L-L-L-W-W
- Top-scorer: Liam Sercombe (7)
- Manager: Darrell Clarke
Season so far
It was a desperately tough start for the Robins as they failed to score in their first eleven League games. That run cost Wade Elliott his job and he was replaced by Darrell Clarke who has revived the club’s fortunes in recent weeks.
Last game
Cheltenham served up a surprise 2-0 home win over Blackpool in midweek. Elliott Bonds scored both goals.
Man in charge
Darrell Clarke needs no introduction to Vale fans. He has been in charge of 23 Cheltenham games so far, winning eight of them.
CONNECTIONS
Current
Plenty. As Clarke has brought in two players he was familiar with at Vale Park – those are reliable midfielder Tom Pett and loan striker Matty Taylor who has been among the goals recently. There were another former Valiant already at the club in loanee George Lloyd. In the Vale ranks is midfielder Tom Sang who spent a spell on loan at Cheltenham in 2020.
Former
Over the years there have been several players to appear for both teams including forward Kaid Mohamed, striker Tony Naylor and defender Charlie Raglan.
Looking further back…
Striker Ted Calland joined the Valiants in 1960 on a free transfer from Exeter City. He had a good start with three goals in twelve games but rapidly lost his place and left on a free transfer to Lincoln City. After a year at Lincoln his next port of call was Cheltenham Town as he dropped into the non-league.
HISTORY
- Port Vale wins: 7
- Draws: 10
- Port Vale losses: 9
Matches
The two sides first met in 2002 when it finished in a 1-0 away victory for the Valiants thanks to a winner from striker Tony Naylor. The last meeting was that disappointing 2-1 defeat at Vale Park earlier this season.
Brief History
Cheltenham Town were formed in 1887 but they didn’t reach the Football League until 1999 when they were promoted from the Conference. They were relegated back to the National League in 2015 only to return 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 Cheltenham manager?
- Which former Vale midfielder now plays for the Robins?
- When were the club formed?
- What was the score the last time the two sides met?
Quiz Answers (no cheating)
- Darrell Clarke
- Tom Pett
- 1887
- Port Vale 1-2 Cheltenham Town
I think if moore plays a back four we have a good chance of winning. a back 3 with wing backs does not work with the players we have to many goals given away going down the flanks. Just hope someone can put the ball in the net as we all know we don’t have a decent striker