MK Dons v Port Vale preview – more of the same from resilient Valiants?

After the smash and grab away win over Notts County can Port Vale make it two good results on the road? Here’s our preview…

The Vale perspective

Form

Good. The Valiants made it six unbeaten with the away win over Notts County at the weekend. Vale’s only away defeats in League and Cup have both come at the hands of bogey team Barrow.

Fitness

The Valiants have confirmed that defender Kyle John and midfielder George Byers are both set for spells on the sidelines. Conor Grant is close to a return while Mitch Clark and Sam Hart are both back in training.

Team selection

Darren Moore tends to chop and change depending on the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses. It means that even though a back three worked well on Saturday, there’s always a chance of a switch to a back four. There will be at least one change with the impressive Kyle John ruled out and that could perhaps see Ben Heneghan recalled.

Viewing guide

This game is not available on Sky+ in the UK so fans will not be able to watch. Fans based overseas can watch it via the PVTV service.

The opposition

Man in charge

Former Swindon Town and Crawley Town manager Scott Lindsay is a relatively new addition to the dugout having joined MK Dons in late September. He’s been in charge for three games, winning once. The 52 year-old won promotion with Crawley last season.

Form

Not great. MK Dons have just one win from their last seven League and Cup matches. At home, they have recorded three consecutive draws in League and Cup with their last home victory coming back on September 7th.

Squad and signings

Experienced former Birmingham City striker Scott Hogan is the latest addition to the Milton Keynes ranks. The 32 year-old joined earlier this month. Summer signings include Notts County wing-back Aaron Nemane, Chesterfield centre-back Laurence Maguire, striker Callum Hendry from Salford City, Exeter midfielder Tom Carroll plus Accrington midfielders Joe Pritchard and Tommy League. However, perhaps the most eye catching signing was that of Crawley Town midfielder Liam Kelly for an undisclosed fee.

Connections

Current connections

The Valiants will come up against former striker Ellis Harrison whose goals were sorely missed when he departed to the Dons last season. Harrison was signed by Darrell Clarke and scored eleven times in 36 appearances for the Vale. Boosted by a couple of goals in the midweek Football League Trophy game against Arsenal U21 he has five goals this season.

Vintage connections

Over the years there have been a number of players to appear for both sides. The list includes forward David Amoo, midfielder Jay O’Shea, defender Antony Kay and winger Matty Kennedy.

Featured connection

Winger Dominic Blizzard has one of the most unfortunate Vale careers in recent memories. He was signed on loan from Bristol Rovers in a spell that lasted four days and one appearance. His spell went like this – he was signed on loan by Gannon on the 18th August 2011, he played in the game against Accrington on the 19th and returned to parent club Bristol Rovers on the 21st following Gannon’s sacking. His spell at MK Dons was far less eventful as he played ten games on loan in 2006.

History

Last time we met

The Valiants recorded a 1-0 home win back in March 2023 thanks to a winning goal from loanee Aaron Donnelly. The defender showed his class by dedicating his goal to Brian Blackhurst, a fan who had passed away and who was being remembered by a round of applause in the 83rd minute, the time when Donnelly found the net.

Fixture history

The two clubs first met in 2004 when the game ended in a 3-2 win for the Valiants. Steve Brooker and Ian Armstrong (2) were the scorers for the home side. The Vale were unbeaten in the first four games between the two sides.

Memorable match

League Two Vale obtained a minor giantkilling in 2019 when they secured a 1-0 away win in the FA Cup against League One MK Dons. Winger David Worrall scored the winning goal. That game was part of a cup run that saw the Valiants travel to Manchester City in the third round.

Archive

Some photos from our archive…

Brief history

The club was founded in 2004, following Wimbledon FC’s hugely controversial relocation to Milton Keynes from south London, when it adopted its present name, badge and home colours. The club entered the Football League at the start of the 2004-2005 season.

Opinion and quiz

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…

MK Dons v Port Vale match thread

Predict the score

Quiz

Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

1. Scott Lindsay
2. Ellis Harrison
3. 2004
4. Izale McLeod

The tough one: 6,483

How do you think the match will go for the Valiants? Share your thoughts and post a comment below.