Two minute guide to Tranmere Rovers v Port Vale

Our latest two minute guide looks ahead to Port Vale breaking their long away duck…

Pre-match talking points

Vale’s long wait for an away victory goes on after the side went down 2-1 in midweek to Carlisle United. However, the second-half display by Vale at least gives some cause for cautious optimism.

In terms of personel, Cristian Montano may come into the reckoning after a bright second-half display while Manny Oyeleke and Tom Conlon are both still expected to miss out.

Home side Tranmere have signed striker Franklyn Akammadu on loan from Italian side US Alessandria for the rest of the season.

Quotes

“It is nice to score a goal but I want to help the team win, that is something we have to take into Saturday’s game…”

Tuesday’s goalscorer Luke Hannant

“I had a really good relationship with a lot of the supporters and it will be nice on that front. But I am going there to do a job now for Port Vale so I try to take away all that and just concentrate on the game..”

Port Vale coach (and former Tranmere manager) Gary Brabin

“It’ll be another tough game, you’ll find all of the games will be tough this year. We’re going to have to be good with and without the ball throughout the full 90 minutes in order to get a result…”

Tranmere manager Micky Mellon

Man in charge

The aforementioned Mellon joined Tranmere in 2016 after previous spells with Fleetwood Town, Barnsley and Shrewsbury. He guided Rovers back to the Football League via the National League

play-offs last season and has just gone past a hundred games as Rovers manager.

Featured connection

Gary Brabin will feature heavily during the game due to his prior spell as Rovers manager. He was appointed manager in 2015 following Tranmere’s relegation to the National League and was in charge for just over a year before being replaced by Mellon. He joined Vale as first-team coach in 2017.

Trivia

• Tranmere moved to the Prenton Park stadium way back in 1912.
• Its largest-ever crowd was 24,424 for a 1972 FA Cup match between Tranmere and Stoke City.
• The only European Fixture to take place at Prenton Park was a UEFA Cup first qualifying round tie between Irish team Shelbourne and Scottish team Rangers, on 22 July 1998. Due to fears of sectarian violence, and after discussions between the two clubs and UEFA, Prenton Park was chosen as the venue for the first leg, with Shelbourne as the home team. The match finished 3–5 in favour of Rangers.