Scraping a point at home against Wycombe was a start but Darren Moore’s side really need a home win to stop the rot. Here’s our preview…
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Plymouth Argyle
- Date: Saturday November 22nd, 12:30pm
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: live on Sky in the UK, live on PVTV overseas
Talking points
Wingback woes dominate again
Vale ended the game against Wycombe without a recognised wingback on the pitch. Starters Kyle John and Marvin Johnson both picked up knocks. It will therefore be interesting if one or both don’t make it. Things are probably clearcut on the left with Jaheim Headley waiting in the wings. It’s less so on the right. Youngster Ben Lomax is fit and a like-for-like replacement, but Moore doesn’t seem to think he’s ready which would mean a player like Ronan Curtis or George Hall playing out of position. The problem with that is it weakens their game – a point Moore has already noted is the case with Hall.
Consistency is key
A point we have made over and over again is for the team to have some consistency is selection to allow partnerships and understandings to develop. It has rarely happened so far but should this be adopted it would see Paton and Cole continuing upfront – a partnership that shows promise. However, we can see the manager rolling the rotation dice again and there being multiple changes for this game.
Pressure is on
With this being a bottom of the table clash, there has been plenty of speculation about the future of the manager of the losing team. From Darren Moore’s perspective, a win will do a lot to ease concerns over his role at the club.
Known injury list
Mitch Clark, Jordan Gabriel and Liam Gordon are all long-term injured.
Possible Vale line-up (3-5-2)
Gauci – Humphreys, Heneghan, Hall – John, Walters, Garrity, Headley – G.Hall – Paton, Cole
Jaheim Headley – cover on the left
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Plymouth Argyle
- Manager: Tom Cleverley
- Stadium: Home Park
Need to know
Meet the manager
36 year-old Tom Cleverley was appointed manager in June. Cleverley previously had a spell at Championship Watford and his record at Home Park is just seven wins from 21 games in charge.
Recent form
Really poor. Plymouth are on a run of six straight defeats in League and Cup. Their last League One win was back in September.
Last match
They lost 1-0 to Bristol Rovers in the Football League Trophy. Their last League game was a 3-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town.
Manager Tom Cleverley
Opposition history
Essentials
- Record appearance holder: Kevin Hodges, 620
- Record goalscorer: Sammy Black, 184
- Record win: 8-1 (on two occasions)
Over the years
Brief History
Originally founded simply as Argyle in 1886, the club turned professional and changed their name to Plymouth Argyle in 1903. They entered the Football League in 1920. They frustratingly finished as Third Division South runners-up on six consecutive occasions before winning promotion under the long-serving management of Bob Jack in 1930. The club tended to alternate between the Third and Second divisions for some years. They secured a record fifth third tier league title in 2004, and would remain in the Championship for six seasons until administration and two successive relegations left them in League Two by 2011. In 2017 Argyle won promotion to League One, and again in 2020 following relegation the previous season.
Stadium
Home Park has a capacity of 17,300 Home Park has been Plymouth’s stadium since 1903. In 2001, three new stands were constructed and in 2019 the Mayflower grandstand was upgraded to complete the renovation.
The Home Park 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: 22
- Draws: 10
- Vale losses: 27
Previous games
Fixture history
The two sides first met in 1930 when it finished in a 2-1 win for Plymouth. However, the Valiants got their revenge winning the return fixture by the same scoreline. There were some entertaining games in the 1930s with Vale netting four goals in a game twice and Plymouth once.
Last time we met
The two clubs met in the final fixture of the 2022-23 season when Plymouth were celebrating promotion. They enjoyed themselves winning 3-1 at Vale Park with James Plant netting a consolation for Vale.
James Wilson celebrates a goal during a 2-0 Vale win at Home Park in December 2022
Lorent Tolaj in action earlier this season
Played for both
Player connections
There’s clearly one notable name in this category with former Port Vale striker Lorent Tolaj set to face his former side for the first time since his £1.2m move earlier this season. The Swiss striker has eight goals already for his new side.
Two players less likely to make an appearance are Vale’s New Zealand International Ben Waine, who has been on duty for his country and will probably miss this chance to face his former club plus goalkeeper Marko Marosi, who is currently third choice at Vale Park.
Recent connections
Other players to appear for both sides in recent seasons include Tottenham Hotspur loanee Alfie Devine who had spells with both sides, wingback Conor Grant who had contrasting spells with the two clubs and goalkeeper Kelle Roos who also had loan spells with both clubs.
Vintage connection
Striker Fred Mitcheson had an incredible debut when he joined the club in 1933. The forward netted a hat-trick in a 4-0 demolition of Plymouth. It was the highlight of a largely unfulfilled spell at Vale (8 goals in 50 games). However, Argyle clearly remembered that debut as two years later the striker was sold to Plymouth where he made 99 appearances and scored 25 times.
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 Plymouth Argyle manager?
In what year did they start playing at Home Park?
What was the score the last time we met?
Which two current Vale players have had spells with Plymouth?
In what year did they start playing at Home Park?
What was the score the last time we met?
Which two current Vale players have had spells with Plymouth?
(answers below – no cheating)
Quiz answers
Tom Cleverley
1903
Port Vale 1-3 Plymouth Argyle
Ben Waine and Marko Marosi
Quiz ratings
Today’s theme is Vale signings from the West County. How did you fare?
0/4 – Kaid Mohamed (Cheltenham)
1/4 – Colin Miles (Yeovil)
2/4 – Micky Bell (Bristol City)
3/4 – Sean Rigg (Bristol Rovers)
4/4 – Leon Constantine (Torquay Utd)
I bet there wasn’t a clause when selling Tolaj ..saying not to play him against the vale in the 2 league matches.. he’s bound to score against us .probably 2…..we don’t think of that when selling players ..its grab the money and run
So understably there’s alot of speculation regarding Lorent Tolai on Saturday. Be lovely to see him again but for me its more about our quest and need for 3 points. We hear talk of our lack of wing backsdp due to injuries. We’ll what is the chance of a recall for Jack Shorrock. No disrespect to Chester but what on earth are we doing sending a quality youngster to get minutes in a team so low down the ladder. If we would want him to gain valuable experience then what would have been better than pitching him in against Wycombe’s quick right winger last week. Instead what do we do, we expect Conor Hall to fulfill a role that means he does not play to his strengths. Come on Darren, you’re better than that. Up the Val.
What are the odds a Tolaj hat trick? I imagine he’s licking his lips and our defenders are sitting (deliberate spelling error, not wanting to cause offence)their pants.Defeat tomorrow unthinkable for the clown in charge who should already have gone.Moore out whatever the result
Oh dear… The writing on the wall.. we sell our best goal scorer to our opponents… Can we please start Cole and Stockley up front. Stockley is a hit man. He can hold it up then release Cole or just flick it on for him… Simples….