Forget the entertainment, forget the welcome for new manager Darren Moore because more than anything Port Vale need to address their slump and get some points. Here’s our preview…
PREAMBLE
- Opposition: Lincoln City
- Competition: League One
- Venue: Vale Park stadium
- Date: 24th February, 3pm
It was a better Port Vale performance against Reading in midweek but ultimately it ended in defeat and points are what the Valiants need right now. It’s now eight games since a Port Vale win with Moore’s first two games, both away from home, ending in defeats.
Will things change when Darren Moore takes charge of his first home game? Well, the club are trying to drum up an atmosphere with an offer to “bring a mate for free” – but will any newcomers leave happy or disappointed? Here’s our preview…
TEAM NEWS
Line-Up
The switch to four at the back seemed to suit Vale better in midweek and the odds are that the Vale will stick with it. The problem is that if Dan Jones, substituted in midweek, is unfit then there don’t seem to be any obvious contenders for the left-back role. The other left-footed options are Conor Grant and youngster Jack Shorrock.
Apart from Jones, the Valiants could well line-up with an unchanged starting eleven, which would mean a full home debut for loanee Alex Mighten.
Injuries
While Jones is an injury doubt, Vale have been boosted by the return of Ben Garrity to the squad in midweek while Mitch Clark and James Plant have also returned to full training. However, Uche Ikpeazu, arguably a key figure upfront remains sidelined.
OPPONENTS
- League position: 10th
- Form: D-W-W-D-W
- Top-scorer: Mandroiu (5)
- Manager: Michael Skubala
Season so far
It’s been a decent season for the Imps so far as they sit in tenth place just outside the play-offs. That League position has been helped by some fine recent form as they remain in their last seven games.
Last game
A narrow 1-0 win over Exeter City at the weekend thanks to a winner from Joe Taylor.
Man in charge
Pole Michael Skubala may not be a familiar name to some. He was snapped up from the Leeds Utd coaching staff following the departure of Mark Kennedy in October. His record stands at five wins from eighteen games in charge.
CONNECTIONS
Current
Injured Lincoln City striker Tyler Walker spent a loan spell with the Valiants during the 2016-17 season. Walker scored twice in six appearances for the Vale. He is sadly currently ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Former
Over the years there have been several players to appear for both including midfielder Tom Pett, striker Geoff Horsfield and goalkeeper Joe Anyon.
Image: Tom Pett in action for the Valiants
Looking further back…
Defender Gary West was one half of a complete revamp of the Vale central defence during the 1988-89 season. Less lauded than companion Dean Glover, West came in after first-choice pairing Bob Hazell and Phil Sproson both suffered career ending injuries. West helped the Valiants navigate the play-offs and promotion to the second division. However, he made just three appearances at the higher level before being sold to Lincoln City for a fee of £25,000. He had had two previous spells with the Imps.
HISTORY
- Port Vale wins: 33
- Draws: 24
- Port Vale losses: 34
Matches
The two sides first met in 1894 when it finished in a thrilling 4-3 win for Lincoln. The last time the two sides met was earlier this season. Both sides had a player dismissed (Ollie Arblaster for the Vale) and Ben Garrity was Vale’s goalscorer in a 1-1 away draw.
Brief History
Founded in 1884, Lincoln became founder members of the Football League Second Division in 1892. The side yo-yo’ed between the lower divisions before they suffered a double relegation to the Conference in 1987.
They regained their Football League status in 1988. They reached the play-offs in five consecutive seasons, from 2002 to 2007, losing in the final twice and the semi-finals three times, which is a competition record.
However they returned to the Conference in 2011. A six-season stay in non-league was ended when Cowley brothers, Nicky and Danny, led the club to the National League title in 2017, as well as a run to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. They won the Football League Trophy in 2018 and the League Two title in 2018–19.
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 Lincoln manager?
- In what year was the club formed?
- Which Lincoln striker had a loan spell with the Valiants?
- What was the score the last time the two sides met?
Quiz Answers (no cheating)
- Michael Skubala
- 1884
- Tyler Walker
- Lincoln City 1-1 Port Vale
Possibly the most important week for Vale, if we can get two positive results then things will look a whole lot better. The big question is who will put the ball in the net? Time will tell, keep the faith, up the Vale.
It’s a long time ago, but worth mentioning that the late Roy Chapman played for both clubs. Signed from Lincoln by then manager Sir Stanley Matthews in 1967, I recall Roy was a fantastic centre forward scoring league 25 goals in his first season, and another 12 in an injury hit second season. He was about 33 when the Vale signed him, but he was tall and one of the strongest and canny strikers I’ve seen play for the club. Held the ball up expertly, virtually impossible to push him off it. Some player he was.
I have had enough now,you keep Flitcroft I and my family will keep our cash, you have killed the fan base