It’s back on the road this weekend for Wanderers as a trip to Port Vale beckons, fresh from a scoring spree in midweek in the EFL Trophy.
Ian Evatt’s men will be backed by close to 3,000 travelling fans in this 4th v 7th place clash in Sky Bet League One.
Manager quotes
Ian Evatt:
“Port Vale is one of those places where you know exactly what you’re going into. It’s intense, intimidating, and aggressive and their supporters always back their team incredibly well.
“We need to go and show we can deal with that and any adversity if it comes whilst performing to our highest level. If we can do that like we’ve seen previously this season, we’re a tough team to stop.”
Port Vale Manager Andy Crosby:
“We’re trying to be competitive in every single game. We’re working our way towards something, and Bolton are a fantastic example of bringing in a manager and creating an identity.
“They’re a lot further down the line than we are with that but they play really good football with a really good manager. After finishing in the play-offs last season, I’m sure they’ll be looking to go one further this season.
Team News
Zac Ashworth is set to be available again after recovering from a thigh injury picked up on international duty.
Dion Charles and Kyle Dempsey were rested mid-week to overcome their knocks but will be in contention to play their part in Burslem.
Eoin Toal returns after serving a one-match suspension but Wanderers will be without Gethin Jones and George Thomason after a red card and five yellow cards respectively.
With half a dozen senior players ruled out, Ian Evatt will be looking to utilise his squad’s adaptability in the upcoming fixtures.
Form guide
Since opening day humiliation away at Barnsley, Vale have responded magnificently and in a way that most people might not have seen coming.
Of their first nine league games, Vale have won five, lost two and drawn two whilst also progressing to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.
Impressive wins against the likes of Reading, Oxford and Charlton have propelled Andy Crosby’s side up to 4th place as it stands which will be a start everyone associated with Port Vale will be happy in the third tier.
Wanderers’ last league outing was a hard-fought point against Peterborough where they had to endure long periods of pressure whilst playing for half of the game with ten men.
Midweek provided a win which ‘ticked a lot of boxes’ according to the boss Ian Evatt as Wanderers beat Manchester United U21s 8-1 in the EFL Trophy, securing qualification to the knockout stages.
Officials:
Referee: Declan Bourne
Assistant Referees: Lewis Raper and Steve Durnall
Fourth Official: Mark Jones
Kick-off:
Saturday, 3pm.
Tickets:
Nearly 3,000 tickets have been snapped up by the Wanderers’ faithful. No tickets will be available to purchase on the day of the game.
Supporters who require ambulant disability tickets only, will need to contact the BWFC Ticket Office by calling 01204 328 888. An allocation of tickets has been reserved off for those supporters who require accessible seating.
Supporters who require wheelchair access will need to purchase directly with Port Vale’s Ticket Office by calling 01782655821 or emailing ticketoffice@port-vale.co.uk.
Coverage:
Supporters living outside of the UK can watch the game live via Wanderers TV with a match pass, which can be purchased HERE
Alternatively, UK supporters can listen to live full match commentary on Wanderers TV HERE.