The Countdown to Port Vale
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Tuesday
Marc Edwards is the referee for the game and it's the fourth time this season a first-year ref has taken charge of an Argyle game after moving up from the National League, he has issued nine yellow cards in four games so far this season.
The assistant referees are Anthony Moore and Graeme Fyvie, while the fourth official is Conor Brown.
Rob Fielding from Port Vale website http://www.onevalefan.co.uk has kindly agreed to give Pasoti users an insight into his club ...
Q: What are your thoughts on Port Vale's summer transfer business?
A: We needed to strengthen upfront and we've certainly done that with Richie Bennett and David Amoo both starting well. The jury's out on some of the other signings simply because we haven't seen some of them in the first-team yet.
Q: What are your views on manager John Askey?
A: Unfortunately, the drama of recent years seems to have rubbed off on some fans who want instant success and it seems that if the manager isn't winning every game and signing marque players then he's "no good" in their eyes. In recent years we've had a revolving door policy with managers so I would like Askey to be given more time. I think he tries to play decent football and needs some time to develop his team.
Q: Is there a sense of a new and financially stable era under new owner Carol Shanahan?
A: There's definitely the sense of owners who are here for the long-term and who care for the club. Crucially, compared to former owner Norman Smurthwaite, the Shanahans "understand" the club and are prepared to put money and resources to develop us as a key part of the local community. In my opinion, we're very lucky to have them.
Q: What are your expectations and predicted finishing position in League Two for Port Vale this season?
A: I personally would be more than happy with a safe and secure season away from the drama of the drop.
Q: Without giving too much away what style of football and formation are Port Vale likely to use against Argyle on Saturday?
A: We'll try and play it from the back, we generally employ three upfront and include a bit of pace up there. It's marked contrast to last season's style of lumping it up to lone striker Tom Pope.
Q: Do you have any tips for Argyle fans for pre-match pubs and car parking?
A: The Bull's Head in Burslem come highly recommended. Good luck with parking - it's pretty much a lottery in the terraced streets.
Q: Looking from afar what are your views on Plymouth Argyle?
A: It seems to be a key transitional period for you. I've seen the images of your new stand which will "finish off" the stadium and I guess you're hoping that manager Ryan Lowe will match that with success on the pitch. I'm aware of the "Bury" influence in your team and I think after their efforts last season, we'll be on our guard against the likes of Danny Mayor, who many Vale fans felt was last season's outstanding player.
Q: And finally do you have a prediction for the game?
A: I'm not good at predictions but I am hoping Vale bounce back from their defeat against Newport County.
The views of the game from some Port Vale fans on forum One Vale Fan....
Since there does not seem a lot of difference in this league, firm up a mid table position in anticipation of a go at the play-offs, maybe ambitious but the sun is shining. Plymouth lost 1-0 at Newport so why should we not go for a win, it is home wins that build a league position. The Archer injury situation does not look promising, but at least we have more choice this season.. Taylor to make a return, with a better chance to play football on a pitch with short grass. .Not sure what to make of the Plymouth/Bury coalition but go for it Vale.
I think we have individuals now that make the opposition think and have to change their normal style of play, to manage our players. I’ve read that the Newport County left back normally supports attacks but with Amoo he had to play a more defensive role which is a positive sign for us. Plymouth will be up there at the end of the season, they’re just having a bit of a blip at the moment so it’s a good time to play them. I think that we’ll need a combative midfielder to play against Danny Mayor, who I believe is the best player in League Two.
Why do some on here seem to fear Plymouth ?
I personally don't. They have recently been held at home 2-2 by both Salford and a poor Oldham. Also thumped in their last away game at Northampton.
These are more than beatable, are they going to be top 7? More than likely and they may not of hit top gear yet. However I am more than hopeful of a win here and so should everybody else.
Conlon dropped for whoever takes the eye in training out of Evans or Taylor and the conundrum up front. Personally i'd stick with Bennett.
Home win on the cards.
The initial ticket allocation of 700 for Argyle fans sold out but a further 190 tickets are now on sale. The away end at Vale Park can hold over 4000 fans.
There is match-day parking available directly in front of the Hamil Road Stand which is pay on the day: Cars £5, Mini-bus £16, Coach £25.
Away Fan Guide to Port Vale Port Vale Football Club, Hamil Road, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 1AW.
Directions: Leave the M6 at junction 15 or 16 and take the A500 towards Stoke on Trent. Follow A500 until the A527 Tunstall exit, where you take the A527 towards Tunstall. At the next island just past the Price Kensington factory turn right for Burslem town centre. Continue on this road up the hill, crossing another island and into Burslem town centre. Continue straight on over the traffic lights at the cross roads and then take the first road on the left which takes you down to the ground.
With administration just around the corner Port Vale were taken over in May this year by Carol and Kevin Shanahan, a local business couple who are also Vale fans and aim to bring back the good times to Vale Park ..... New owners - BBC
Port Vale midfielder Manny Oyeleke is hoping to return to the squad against Argyle after being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Wednesday
Port Vale manager John Askey talked about home form ..
Port Vale keeper Scott Brown talked about Saturday's game ..“Our home form is vital, players look as though they enjoy playing at home, the crowd get behind us and it makes a big difference, so whoever comes here we feel as though we can give anybody a game, and there’s no reason why we can’t win the game on Saturday.
“We feel as though we can match anybody, I know we lost at Newport but I felt we were a match for Newport, so it’s about on the day, it’s about us and if we perform we know we’ll get a result.”
Argyle's all-time record against Port Vale is played 56 games, won 21, lost 25 and drawn 10. Argyle have won just three times at Vale Park from 28 games, losing 19 with the last away win coming in the 2003-2004 season.“You could say Plymouth have the best individual players in the league, we know what a tough game it’s going to be… and we know we’ve got a tough week but we look forward to it.”
According to Sky Bet Port Vale are favourites to win on Saturday with odds of 7/5, an Argyle win is placed at 9/5 and the draw is on offer at 9/4.
They played for both ..... Argyle/Port Vale connections
Thursday
If tickets remain available on the day, they can be purchased from the away sales kiosk outside the away stand which is open from 1-3pm on match-day. This is a cash only sales point and there is a £2 increase on prices at a total of £22 for an adult ticket.
According to the Transfermarkt website the Port Vale squad is valued at £2.21 million while the Argyle squad is worth £3.24 million.
Port Vale are unbeaten at home in the league this season, winning two games and drawing the other and currently sit in 14th place in League Two. A win on Saturday will see the Valiants leapfrog Argyle in the league.
Port Vale manager John Askey weighs up his options for the visit of Argyle .... Stoke Sentinel
Argyle strikers Dom Telford and Joel Grant have returned to full training which means manager Ryan Lowe has a full squad to select from for Saturday's game.
Classic encounters over the years .... Port Vale club website
Friday
A guide to Vale Park
Vale Stats
Match preview .... One Vale Fan
Away Game Guide to Port Vale
Valiants manager John Askey talks about Argyle ... You Tube video
Pay on the day is available, cash only ...
FOR any Pilgrim fans travelling to Port Vale tomorrow who has yet to obtain a match ticket, there are still tickets available to purchase at Vale Park from the away sales kiosk outside the away stand.
This kiosk will be open from 1pm and tickets are sold on a cash-only basis. Match-day prices are listed below and it should be a great day at Vale Park, as Argyle look to get back on the winning trail in Sky Bet League Two.
Prices
Seating
Adult £22
Over 62 £17
18-21 £17
12-17 £10
Under 12 Free
Personal Assistant Free
Saturday
Port Vale defender Leon Legge looks ahead to today's game ... Port Vale club website
Port Vale captain Tom Pope says "Plymouth have some good players, but so do we." ...... full interview
Just over 650 tickets have been snapped up by Argyle fans with pay on the day option available.
Ryan Lowe talks about the big pitch at Vale Park ... club website
Expected Argyle line-up ...