Results went against Port Vale in midweek and after some decent cup results, the onus is on the side to start producing in the League. Here’s our preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Luton Town
- Date: Saturday December 13th, 3pm
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: not available in the UK, live on PVTV overseas
Talking points
Do you just cut and paste these things?
With Vale’s midweek game postponed, the points raised in this section are essentially the same as those in our Bradford preview.
Who makes the starting line-up?
There were a host of changes and a more attacking line-up for the two cup games. It saw the Valiants adopt a back four and a number of pacy forwards to test the opposition. It resulted in six goals and two wins. So, the question is – will Darren Moore keep faith for the League or will he flip back to a more cautious formation?
Who starts in goal and upfront?
Joe Gauci made mistakes against Lincoln and Ben Amos has done little wrong in the cups. Which one starts on Tuesday? The two forwards to benefit most from last week’s games appear to be Ben Waine and Ruari Paton with two goals apiece. It’s surely time to give Paton, in particular, a run of starts.
Known injury list
Ben Garrity, Mitch Clark, Jordan Gabriel and Liam Gordon are all long-term injured.
Possible Vale line-up (4-2-3-1)
Amos – John, Heneghan, C.Hall, Headley – Byers, Ojo – Waine, Paton, G.Hall – Cole
Ben Amos – pushing for a League start
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Luton Town
- Manager: Jack Wilshere
- Stadium: Kenilworth Road
Need to know
Meet the manager
33 year-old former England International Jack Wilshere was handed his first managerial job in October. He had previously been caretaker at Norwich. His fledgling career stands at six wins from twelve games in charge.
Recent form
Picking up. The arrival of Wilshere has had an effect. Since late October, the side have lost just once in League and Cups. They have drawn their last two League games.
Last match
A creditable 1-1 away draw at Leyton Orient in midweek.
Manager Jack Wilshere
Opposition history
Essentials
- Record appearance holder: Bob Morton, 562
- Record goalscorer: Gordon Turner, 276
- Record win: 12-0 versus Bristol Rovers, 1936
Over the years
Brief History
Luton Town were formed in 1885 and initially joined the Football League in 1897. They reached the top-flight for the first time in 1955 and contested the 1959 FA Cup final – losing to Nottingham Forest. In 1988 they defeated Arsenal to win the League Cup. They spent five years in non-league football before rejoining in 2013.
Stadium
Despite several plans to move, the quirky Kenilworth Road stadium has been Luton’s home since 1905. The club plan to move to a new stadium, the Power Court Stadium by 2028.
The Kenilworth Road stadium
Archive
This site is thirty years old and has thousands of posts. Here are a couple to feature the opposition.
Head-to-head
How it stands
- Vale wins: 12
- Draws: 8
- Vale losses: 17
Previous games
Fixture history
The two sides first met back in 1898 when it ended in a 1-0 win for the Valiants. It was Vale’s fifth season in the Football League and Dick ‘Jammer’ Evans scored the goal (more on him here). For good measure, they won the return fixture 4-0. However, over the years games have been relatively infrequent with just 37 fixtures in the next 127 years. Vale last won at Luton back in 2008.
Last time we met
It was back in 2017 when the sides last met competitively. On a good day for the Valiants it ended in a 4-0 win thanks to an own-goal, a brace from striker Tom Pope and another from Ben Whitfield. The two sides also met in a friendly in the summer of 2024. Vale won 3-1 on that occasion thanks to goals from Ronan Curtis, Ruari Paton and Connor Hall.
Tom Pope – scored twice in the last meeting
Jayden Stockley – had a spell with Luton
Played for both
Player connections
Port Vale centre-forward Jayden Stockley has appeared for both sides having had an earlier loan spell with the Hatters. Other players to appear for both sides in recent years include striker Ricky Miller, midfielder Anthony Grant and forward Mark Cullen.
Vintage connection
It would be remiss of us not to mention Brian Horton, who had successful playing spells with both clubs (as well as a managerial stint with Vale). Signed from non-league Horton soon proved to be a pivotal figure for the Vale. It was therefore hugely controversial when, after 262 appearances and 37 goals, he was sold to Brighton for just £30,000. After a six year spell on the South coast, Horton moved to Luton in 1981. He was captain as the side reached the top-flight and he made eighty top-flight appearances for the club.
Predict the score
Have your say
Discuss the game
Want to discuss things before, during and after the game? Our forum’s dedicated match thread is the place to be. Share your views with fellow fans
Join the debate:
The Vale Park stadium
Test your knowledge
Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz
Who is the current Luton Town manager?
In what year was the club formed?
What was the score when the two sides last met?
Which Vale striker has previous played for Luton?
In what year was the club formed?
What was the score when the two sides last met?
Which Vale striker has previous played for Luton?
(answers below – no cheating)
Quiz answers
Jack Wilshere
1885
Port Vale 4-0 Luton Town
Jayden Stockley
Quiz ratings
Today’s theme is players who played for both clubs. How did you fare?
0/4 – Ricky Miller
1/4 – Mark Cullen
2/4 – Anthony Grant
3/4 – Jayden Stockley
4/4 – Brian Horton
A MUST WIN GAME,NUF SED
As per my post before Bradford cancellation , failure to win tomorrow should be Mr moores last team selection. I personally see nothing other than a drubbing and that’s me being realistic not negative. All will be revealed at 445 tomorrow.
I can’t see us getting anything from this. Lose tomorrow, and with only 3 wins since August 2nd, and he should be gone. Enough is enough.