Grimsby Town v Port Vale preview – Valiants desperate to end 2024 on winning note

The Vale view

Form

It’s been a really poor run of form from the Valiants and the concern amongst fans was escalated after a Boxing Day defeat to Bradford City. Darren Moore’s men badly need a good performance to get themselves out of the rut.

Fitness

There’s a central midfield crisis brewing with Rakeem Harper and Ryan Croasdale both doubtful, Tom Sang suspended while captain Ben Garrity and George Byers continue to be sidelined. Meanwhile, Kyle John and Sam Hart both missed the Bradford game.

Team selection

There have been calls for Vale not to rotate so much but with injuries and poor form it seems inevitable that changes will be made. Brandon Cover’s form has dipped so Mitch Clark may come in at right wingback. After not playing one, surely Vale will opt for left-footers in the left wingback position? It would mean a start for either Conor Grant or Jack Shorrock. It could be Jason Lowe and Ethan Chislett in a makeshift central midfield.

Possible line-up

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting eleven: Ripley – Debrah, Heneghan, Hall – Clark, Lowe, Chislett, Grant – Hackford, Stockley, Curtis

Trivia: Mitch Clark’s appearance on Boxing Day means Vale have now played 29 different players in the League already this season.

Viewing guide

This game will not be shown on Sky Sports+ in the UK and so Vale fans in the UK will not be able to watch. Viewers outside of the UK can see the game on the PVTV service.

Guide to the opposition

Club factfile

• Team: Grimsby Town
• League: League Two
• Manager: David Artell

Trivia: the home side have won three of their last five League games.

Man in charge

Former Crewe boss David Artell is sure of a “warm” welcome from Vale fans after some controversial comments after previous meetings with the Valiants. Artell was also the sole player in the squad to reject terms when the Vale were in administration in 2012 which further cemented his reputation as terrace boo boy. As a manager he took Crewe to promotion in 2020 and took over as Grimsby manager in November 2023 winning 18 of his 56 games in charge.

Form

Sitting in eighth place in the table, Grimsby are in good form at the moment. However, their home form is somewhat hit and miss having won two and lost two of their last four matches. Their biggest win of the season came earlier this month with a 5-2 thumping of Accrington.

Squad and injuries

Charles Verman continues to be sidelined with injury and is not expected to make this game. Jason Svanthorsson came off the bench to score against Harrogate and could be pushing for a start.

One to watch

Forward Danny Rose leads the assists table for Grimsby and has also netted seven times as well.

History

Current Connections

The Valiants could be reunited with former defender Lewis Cass who is in the Grimsby squad. The defender joined Vale in 2022 after an earlier spell on loan. He made 71 appearances, scoring twice before being released in the summer. He subsequently joined Grimsby where he has made thirteen appearances, scoring once. There’s also two other former Valiants in the squad in former loan strikers Donovan Wilson and Rekeil Pyke.

On the Vale side, Dan Jones has had spells with both but he won’t be involved as he’s on loan at Gateshead.

Former Connections

Players to appear for both sides in recent seasons include defenders Adam Crookes and Zak Mills. Striker George Lloyd has also had loan spells with both clubs. Midfielder Scott Burgess has also had spells with both sides.

Featured connection

Micky Cummins was highly regarded during the midfielder’s six year spell at Vale Park. The Irishman joined on a free transfer from Middlesbrough and played 287 games, scoring 34 goals. He left the club in 2006 and had a spell at Grimsby during the 2010-2011 season. He finished his career with 588 appearances and 67 goals.

Overall record

• Port Vale wins: 34
• Port Vale losses: 42
• Draws: 18

Trivia: it’s five matches since the Vale last won at Grimsby

Last time we met

Cristian Montano was dismissed as the Valiants lost 0-1 at Grimsby back in May 2021. Vale had won the game in Burslem 3-0 thanks to goals from Shaun Brisley, Devante Rodney and a Luke Waterfall own goal.

Fixture history

The first meeting took place in 1893 and ended in a 2-0 win for Grimsby. The Mariners also won the return game 1-0. It took until the fourth game for Vale to score but they did it in style with a 6-1 win in December 1893. Remarkably it came two days after Vale had lost 4-0 to Grimsby. Billy Beats scored Vale’s first goal against Town.

Archive

A selection of images taken from previous games.

Brief history

The club was founded in 1878 and changed its name to Grimsby Town in 1879. It moved to Blundell Park in 1898. Grimsby have reached the FA Cup semi-final stage as well as playing in the top-flight from 1901 to 1903 and from 1929 to 1932 and 1934 to 1947. They have also been managed by the legendary Bill Shankly. In more recent years, they have had two spells out of the Football League, during which time they reached the final of the FA Trophy. They returned to the League through the play-offs in 2022.

Club records

• Record appearance holder: John McDermott, 754
• Record goalscorer: Pat Glover, 180
• Biggest win: 8-0 v Tranmere Rovers, 1925
• Biggest loss: 1-9 v Arsenal, 1931

Your views

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…

Grimsby Town v Port Vale match thread

Predict the score