The conversation is all about the manager’s future not this game, but nevertheless here’s our match preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Barnsley
- Date: Tuesday 2nd December 7pm
- Competition: Football League Trophy
- Viewing guide: Sky Sports in the UK, live on PVTV overseas
Talking points
The usual musical chairs for Valiants
We expect Darren Moore to give “squad players” a go in this fixture. We’ve produced a potential eleven below but it’s pretty much guesswork. Some of the names which could feature are – Ben Amos, Jesse Debrah, Jaheim Headley, Jordan Shipley, Rhys Walters, George Byers, Ruari Paton and Mo Faal.
Chance for Lomax?
Kyle John is the last man standing as a senior right wingback. He took some heavy challenges on Saturday. Is it worth a rest and giving youngster Ben Lomax a run-out. This seems to have the double benefit of resting John and giving Lomax match exposure. Will Moore do it? We doubt it. Should he do it? We think so.
Known injury list
Mitch Clark, Jordan Gabriel and Liam Gordon are all long-term injured while the afore-mentioned Ojo will miss this game.
Possible Vale line-up (3-5-2)
Amos – Debrah, Heneghan, C.Hall – Lomax, Byers, Shipley, Walters, Headley – Paton, Faal
Jordan Shipley – will he feature?
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Barnsley
- Manager: Conor Hourihane
- Stadium: Oakwell
Need to know
Meet the manager
Conor Hourihane was appointed first-team coach under Darrell Clark in 2024. Following the departure of Clarke in March 2025 Hourihane was appointed interim head coach before being handed the job permanently in April. His record stands at 12 wins from 32 games in charge.
Recent form
League form – OK. The club have recorded two wins, a loss and a draw from their last four games. In the Trophy, the Tyles lost their final group game 2-0 to Lincoln City.
Last match
A 1-1 away draw at Stockport County.
Manager Conor Hourihane
Opposition history
Essentials
- Record goalscorer: Ernie Hine, 131
- Most appearances: Barry Murphy, 569
- Record transfer: £5m for Alfie Mawson, 2017
Over the years
Brief History
The club was founded in 1887 and since 1888 they have been based at the Oakwell stadium. They joined the Football League in 1898. They reached the FA Cup final, where they lost out to Newcastle United after a replay. In 1912, they reached the FA Cup final again, and defeated West Bromwich Albion 1–0 once again after a replay. They have also won the Football League Trophy in 2016.
Stadium
The stadium’s name, Oakwell, originates from the well and oak tree that were on the site when first built.
Trivia
There was a hugely controversial incident in 1920. Having finished the previous season’s Second Division in third place, Barnsley expected to achieve First Division status for the first time, but the Football League instead chose to call a ballot of the clubs. The League voted to promote sixth-placed Arsenal, for reasons of history over merit. Sir Henry Norris, the then Arsenal chairman, argued that Arsenal be promoted for their “long service to league football”, having been the first League club from the South of England. There were accusations of bribery and bias but nothing could be proved, so Barnsley missed out.
The Oakwell 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: 48
- Vale losses: 50
- Draws: 20
Previous games
Fixture history
The two sides first met in 1898 in Vale’s fifth season of League football. The opening game of the 1898-99 season, it ended in a 2-0 win for the Valiants. The return leg was a 2-1 loss. Vale’s Richard Evans scored in both ties while Jim Peake scored Vale’s first-ever goal against the Tykes.
Last time we met
Remember when Vale used to win? That last victory occurred back in September when goals from Jordan Gabriel and Ryan Croasdale earned Vale a 2-0 away win in the League.
Ryan Croasdale – scored in last fixture
Devante Cole in Barnsley colours
Played for both
Player connections
Port Vale deadline day signing Devante Cole will be returning to a club where he made over a hundred appearances and scored 40 goals over two spells. Vale goalkeeper Joe Gauci also had a loan spell with the Tykes, making seven appearances. As for Barnsley, striker David McGoldrick had a loan spell with the Valiants earlier in his career. Other players to appear for both in recent years include Vale loanee Kacper Łopata, midfielder Antony Kay and winger Chris Shuker.
Vintage connection
Striker Marc Richards served both clubs with distinction. He joined Barnsley in 2005 where he played in their 2006 play-off final win over Swansea City. After eighteen goals in 81 games, he joined Vale in 2007 after being signed by Martin Foyle. It proved to be a masterstroke as Richards was top-scorer for four seasons in a row and scored 75 times in 202 games.
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
A change to our normal quiz as we test your Trophy knowledge…
What teams did Vale play in the group stages?
Name Vale’s eight scorers in the Trophy this season
What round did Vale reach last season?
Name Vale’s eight scorers in the Trophy this season
What round did Vale reach last season?
(answers below – no cheating)
Quiz answers
Leeds Utd U21, Fleetwood Town, Accrington
Paton, Curtis, Shorrock. Faal (2), Connor Hall, Shipley, Brown, George Hall
Round of 16
Quiz ratings
Today’s theme is Trophy performances. How did you fare?
0/4 – Out in the first round at Tranmere – 2011
1/4 – Out in the group of 16 last season
2/4 – Reaching the quarter-finals in 2019
3/3 – Lifting the trophy with Rudge or Horton 1993/2001
Probably another draft team stockley is short of match practice so giving him at least 45minutes would make sense so my team would be Amos Lomax Headley Debra henegan crosdale Byers Curtis stockley Paton Shipley let’s see what he picks
The possible team you’ve chosen isn’t exactly bursting with goals! How on earth can Croasdale continuously not be considered for a game, he’s the only midfielder we have who can score goals. He’s the Chislett of the 25/26 season.