Port Vale v Shrewsbury preview – another “last chance saloon” game for the struggling Valiants
Should Darren Moore’s side fail to win this one then it would look increasingly like it’s League Two football next season for the Valiants. Here’s our preview…
PREAMBLE
- Opposition: Shrewsbury Town
- Competition: League One
- Venue: Vale Park stadium
- Date: 9th March, 3pm
It felt like men against boys at Pride Park last weekend, so Vale really need to start upping their game. This game at home against fellow strugglers does appear to be the club’s last chance to make an attempt to avoid relegation.
Ahead of this game, a group of fans met with the club’s owners in clear the air talks and in a bid to reset the relationship between supporters and the club. It’s probably fair to say that the resulting statement has had a mixed reaction from the Vale fanbase.
PRE-MATCH QUOTE
Please come, help us, we need you and do it, more than anything, for the badge. You’ve supported this football club through years, though generations, through the family… Do it for the badge…
Darren Moore’s plea to Port Vale fans ahead of the game…
FANS PANEL
I’m not expecting a glut of goals from two woeful sides, both desperately short on confidence. We’re probably looking at a 1-1 draw, which is not what we need…
Read the views of our latest fans panel discussing the match against Shrewsbury
TEAM NEWS
Line-Up
Having senior players in the left-back and striker roles would be a start we would think. With a rare one game week, there is a chance for Vale to both reset. This game could see Mitch Clark come back at full-back, James Wilson playing upfront while captain Nathan Smith may come back into the defence.
Injuries
Dan Jones, Tom Sang, Ryan Loft and James Wilson all missed the Derby game through injury. There’s no news on loanee Dan Gore while striker Uche Ikpeazu is still some distance away from returning.
OPPONENTS
- League position: 20th
- Form: D-L-W-L-L
- Top-scorer: Daniel Udoh (5)
- Manager: Paul Hurst
Season so far
After a decent November, things started to take a turn for a worst in December. Shrewsbury lost seven out of eight games before Paul Hurst joined and won his first game in charge.
Last game
The Shrews lost 2-0 at home to Blackpool at the weekend.
Man in charge
Paul Hurst returned to Shrewsbury in January after the dismissal of Matt Taylor. In this spell, Hurst has two wins from eight games.
ARCHIVE
Leaf through the pages of a 1968 FA Cup programme and a rare goalkeeping appearance for a player who would find fame elsewhere…
CONNECTIONS
Current
It will be a first return to Vale Park for defender Mal Benning who wrote his name into the history books with a goal at Wembley during Vale’s 3-0 play-off win over Mansfield Town. Benning made 80 appearances for the Valiants during a two year stay.
Former
Over the years there have been several players to appear for both including goalkeeper Chris Neal, midfielder Brad Walker and forward Louis Dodds
Looking further back…
Goalkeeper Alan Boswell had lengthy spells with both clubs. Boswell joined Shrewsbury in 1963 and over five years he made over 250 appearances. He later joined the Valiants in 1972 making 95 appearances.
HISTORY
- Port Vale wins: 19
- Draws: 18
- Port Vale losses: 22
Matches
The two sides first met in 1958 when it ended in a 2-0 away defeat to the Valiants. Earlier this season, Shrewsbury defeated Vale 2-1 with Ben Garrity on target for the Valiants.
Brief History
The club was founded in 1886 and after a period in non-league they joined the Football League in 1950. They suffered relegation out of the League in 2003 only to regain it in 2004. The club has reached the semi-finals of the Football League cup as well as winning the Welsh Cup on six occasions.
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 Shrewsbury manager?
- In what year was the club formed?
- Which former Vale defender plays for Shrewsbury?
Quiz Answers (no cheating)
- Paul Hurst
- 1886
- Mal Benning