Our brand new two minute guide looks ahead to Port Vale’s away trip to Boundary Park…
Pre-match talking points
Will he or won’t he? The biggest question for Vale’s line-up is whether Neil Aspin will risk talisman Tom Pope (right) or will opt to rest the forward.
One man who will be missing is Ricky Miller. Despite his goal on Tuesday evening the striker is suspended for this clash.
Vale have reportedly been working on set-pieces this week after conceding five goals from them against Lincoln.
Quotes
“After the results we’ve had and the run we’re on, it would be absolutely ridiculous to say anything other than what I’m going to say. It is going to be a hard game, any away game is difficult, you know what it’s like in this league. A big factor is we must not concede in the first five minutes like we’ve done in the last two games. You need to put a platform down to try and get a result…”
Port Vale manager Neil Aspin
“When you’ve been beaten the way that they’ve been beaten last Saturday I think they’ll be tight. Albeit a lot of the goals came from set plays, but I think any manager in their right mind would tighten things up and be disciplined in their performance especially away from home. I’ve played against Neil when he was at Leeds, I haven’t come across him managerial or coaching wise yet, but since he got his chance at Port Vale he’s been doing a good job there…”
Oldham manager Frankie Bunn
Crystal Ball Time…
If you want to find out how our OVF Prediction Panel think the game will unfold click on this link.
It’s a bumper line-up this week and it’s fair to say opinion is divided over whether Port Vale will bounce back from their mauling at the hands of Lincoln City.
Man in charge
Frankie Bunn had a three year stint as a striker for Oldham in the 1980’s. His son Harry currently plays for Bury. Bunn was briefly caretaker at Coventry City before he took over at Oldham in the summer of 2018.
Stats and facts
The two sides have met seventy eight times with Vale holding a narrow advantage. Vale have 31 wins to Oldham’s 28 and there have been nineteen draws. Vale are unbeaten in their last three visits to Boundary Park with each match ending in a draw. The last Vale player to score against Oldham was Rigino Cicilia (right) back in 2016.
Featured connection
Port Vale defender Theo Vassell could be in line to play against the team where he started his career. Stoke-born Vassell graduated through the Stoke City junior ranks but was offered his first professional contract by the Latics. He left a year later without making an appearance. By contrast, he has made four appearances for the Valiants.
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