It’s all pointing to relegation but can the Valiants at least prolong the drop with a home win? Here’s our preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Rotherham United
- Date: Tuesday 6th April, 7:45pm
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: Sky Sports+ in the UK, PVTV overseas
Talking points
How do you come back from that?
There’s probably two options for Vale after their 7-0 thrashing at Stamford Bridge. They can show their guts and bounce back strongly – or they can be psychologically damaged by it. Sadly, given the character of the team the second option seems more likely.
Rest required?
Ben Waine and Liam Gordon started on Saturday despite long journeys back from International duty. Both looked tired. Is it sensible to start them just three days later or should they drop to the bench?
There could be other changes. Jayden Stockley is fit again and may represent a better option upfront than Martin Sherif. Ryan Croasdale is also back and may bolster the midfield.
Known injury list
George Byers and Ben Heneghan remain out but Jayden Stockley and Ryan Croasdale returned to the squad.
Possible Vale line-up
Gauci – John, Humphreys, C.Hall – Gabriel, Ojo, Croasdale, Walters, Campbell – Stockley, G.Hall
Jayden Stockley – fit again
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Rotherham United
- Manager: Lee Clark
- Stadium: New York stadium
Need to know
Meet the manager
53 year-old Lee Clark was appointed manager following the sacking of Matt Hamshaw in March. Clark has had a varied managerial career including spells in Oman and Sudan as well as Blackpool and Huddersfield. His fledgling spell in charge of United has yielded a draw and a loss so far.
As a player, Clark made over 500 appearances including over 250 for his hometown club Newcastle United. He also played for local rivals Sunderland.
Recent form
Pretty grim. Rotherham last won seven games ago and have just three victories from their last 22 League and Cup games. Their last win, a 1-0 home win over Plymouth Argyle came back in mid-February.
Last game
A 0-0 home draw with Stevenage.
Manager Lee Clark
Opposition history
Essentials
- Most goals: Gladstone Guest (130)
- Most appearances: Danny Williams (621)
- Biggest win: 8-0 vs Oldham Athletic (1947)
Over the years
Brief History
Rotherham United were founded in 1925 which means this season is their centenary. The club were formed after a merger between Rotherham County and Rotherham Town. Town were the original entrants to the Football League in 1919. The newly formed Rotherham United took over from 1925 with their highest League position being third in the Second Division back in 1955.
Stadia
They have played most of their games at Millmoor, apart from a brief spell at the Don Valley stadium before moving to the New York stadium in 2012.
Trivia
Rotherham are League Cup runners-up in highly unusual circumstances. After defeating Aston Villa 2-0 in the first leg played during the 1960-61 season. However, due to Villa’s fixture congestion the second-leg wasn’t played until the next season. Rotherham lost it 3-0 to lose 3-2 on aggregate.
The New York 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: 25
- Vale losses: 26
- Draws: 13
Previous games
Fixture history
The two sides first met in 1920 (read our archive feature on this game through the link) when the opposition were still Rotherham Town. It ended in a 2-2 draw. Since, then there have been 64 meetings between the two sides in League and Cup competitions.
Last time we met
The two sides met in the opening game of the season. Vale shipped two goals before Jaheim Headley was dismissed. The Valiants railled a bit in the second-half as Connor Hall scored. Zak Jules was later dismissed as both sides ended with ten men but Rotherham got the points with a 2-1 win
Classic clash
It’s an obvious choice but we’ll travel back to 2012 when striker Tom Pope hit top form against his former club. Pope, signed by Vale from Rotherham hit the net four times as the Valiants recorded a 6-2 home win. It was a sign of things to come with Micky Adams’ side securing promotion to League One that season.
Connor Hall – last Vale scorer against Rotherham
Cameron Humphreys – played for both
Played for both
Recent player connections
This match will see Vale summer signing Cameron Humphreys face his former club. Vale will potentially face former loanee Dan Gore who has joined Rotherham for a second spell. Finally, Vale will need to look out for former striker Jordan Hugill and former loanee Zak Jules who are both in the United squad. Other players to appear for both sides in recent years include winger David Worrall, striker Jamie Proctor and midfielder Will Atkinson.
Vintage connection
Strapping defender Bob Delgano had spells with both clubs. He was signed from Carlisle by Rotherham in 1973 and spent two years at Millmoor before moving on to Chester. In 1978, Vale splashed out £30,000 on Delgano but it proved to be a poor move. His contract was eventually cancelled by mutual consent in 1980.
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 Rotherham manager?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Rotherham?
Which former Rotherham defender did Vale sign in the summer?
What the score the last time we met?
How many times have Vale beaten Rotherham?
Which former Rotherham defender did Vale sign in the summer?
(answers right – no cheating)
Answers
Quiz answers
Lee Clark
Rotherham Utd 2-1 Port Vale
25
Cameron Humphreys
Quiz ratings
Today’s theme is players to appear for both
0/4 – Dan Gore
1/4 – Zal Jules
2/4 – Bob Delgano
3/4 – Cameron Humphreys
4/4 – Jordan Hugill
Get rid of the whole squad except for Kyle John. Find a new manager too as Brady, Shanahan and Patrick, along with that clown of a CEO will take us into the Conference. Sell the club to someone who knows how to run a football club. Carol Shanahan is a narcissist and more interested in food parcels and LGBTQ than Port Vale. The truth is bitter , so there it is.