Port Vale vs Torquay United
Posted: 24 Nov 2011, 14:00
After last weekends excellent result against our Green friends, we travel to Stoke to face Port Vale at Vale Park. A tough game, in my opinion, made even tougher without Eunan O'Kane, after his strange booking last week. Still, we're in good form whereas our hosts are not. They haven't found the net for 4 games, and are playing apallingly according to their fans - Tuesday's FA Cup Replay defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town seems to be the final straw for some of them. On a different note, credit must go to the club for the £5 ticket offer for tomorrow nights game, fair play for that and a reward for the Gulls who make it up there (although hopefully the return journey will be with 3 points!).
GULLS NEWS.
We're without O'Kane, and Brian Saah is injured until the New Year. We're being linked with Tom Aldred as a replacement, but we have just over 3 hours until the loan deadline surpasses, so I hope we get someone in quick.
THE OPPOSITION.
Micky Adams is the manager at Vale Park. A cult figure at the club not so long ago, fans detested him for leaving Vale mid-way through last season, with Vale in the top 3. It all went wrong for the club and for Adams, as he failed to keep Sheffield United in the Championship. Vale's season tailed off terribly, finishing outside the top 7.
On the pitch, and in goal it'll likely be Stuart Tomlinson. The former Crewe keeper has been at Vale Park since 2010, making over 50 appearances for the club. His back up is Chris Martin, who has come through the youth ranks at VP. The third keeper is youngster Sam Johnson.
In defence, and at right back we'll see either Adam Yates, or the more experienced Robert Kozluk. Yates has been a regular at Vale for a few years now, whereas Kozluk joined the club in the summer. Kozluk has several years experience, and made a name for himself at Sheffield United, making over 200 appearances at Bramall Lane. On the other side, the left back role can be filled by Rob Taylor or Lee Collins. Taylor can play on the wing and upfront aswell, and has been involved since 2008 at Vale. Collins, on the other hand can play in the heart of the defence or at left back. He has made over a century of appearances at the club. In the middle of the back four, there are a few options. Former Gull Gareth Owen is a regular, as is John McCombe. This was the partnership for Vale last season, which started so strongly last year. Other options at the back include loanee Liam Chilvers and Clayton McDonald, both signings this summer.
In the midfield, in the engine room it is likely to be Anthony Griffith, who likes to sit infront of the back four. His partner in the middle could be any of these; Gary Roberts, Sam Morsy and Doug Loft. Several options to choose from there, with the controversial Roberts being an excellent player on his day. On the wings, then. Another area with plenty of choice. Lewis Haldane can play either on the right or left, as can Ryan Burge and Sean Rigg. Rigg has been doing well this year, hitting the net a few times already. Louis Dodds can play on the wing if necessary, though I believe he enjoys a forward role more.
That brings me on nicely to the attacking position. Captain Marc Richards is probably one of the first names on the teamsheet these days. He's fairly prolific, although I understand he's having a hard time this season. His partner could be Vale-supporter Tom Pope, who made the permanent move from Crewe in the summer. Ben Williamson provides another option upfront.
HOW THEY LINED UP.
This is how they lined up at Blundell Park on Tuesday night:
Chris Martin
Adam Yates
John McCombe
Clayton McDonald
Lee Collins
Sam Morsy
Gary Roberts
Anthony Griffith
Louis Dodds
Tom Pope
Rob Taylor
Subs: Tomlinson, Kozluk, Rigg, Roe, Davis, Lloyd.
LAST TIME AT VALE PARK.
Port Vale (1) 1 [Griffith 37]
Torquay (2) 2 [Wroe 5, Zebroski 28]
Att: 5750 (215 Gulls)
PREDICTION.
Vale 0-0 Gulls
GULLS NEWS.
We're without O'Kane, and Brian Saah is injured until the New Year. We're being linked with Tom Aldred as a replacement, but we have just over 3 hours until the loan deadline surpasses, so I hope we get someone in quick.
THE OPPOSITION.
Micky Adams is the manager at Vale Park. A cult figure at the club not so long ago, fans detested him for leaving Vale mid-way through last season, with Vale in the top 3. It all went wrong for the club and for Adams, as he failed to keep Sheffield United in the Championship. Vale's season tailed off terribly, finishing outside the top 7.
On the pitch, and in goal it'll likely be Stuart Tomlinson. The former Crewe keeper has been at Vale Park since 2010, making over 50 appearances for the club. His back up is Chris Martin, who has come through the youth ranks at VP. The third keeper is youngster Sam Johnson.
In defence, and at right back we'll see either Adam Yates, or the more experienced Robert Kozluk. Yates has been a regular at Vale for a few years now, whereas Kozluk joined the club in the summer. Kozluk has several years experience, and made a name for himself at Sheffield United, making over 200 appearances at Bramall Lane. On the other side, the left back role can be filled by Rob Taylor or Lee Collins. Taylor can play on the wing and upfront aswell, and has been involved since 2008 at Vale. Collins, on the other hand can play in the heart of the defence or at left back. He has made over a century of appearances at the club. In the middle of the back four, there are a few options. Former Gull Gareth Owen is a regular, as is John McCombe. This was the partnership for Vale last season, which started so strongly last year. Other options at the back include loanee Liam Chilvers and Clayton McDonald, both signings this summer.
In the midfield, in the engine room it is likely to be Anthony Griffith, who likes to sit infront of the back four. His partner in the middle could be any of these; Gary Roberts, Sam Morsy and Doug Loft. Several options to choose from there, with the controversial Roberts being an excellent player on his day. On the wings, then. Another area with plenty of choice. Lewis Haldane can play either on the right or left, as can Ryan Burge and Sean Rigg. Rigg has been doing well this year, hitting the net a few times already. Louis Dodds can play on the wing if necessary, though I believe he enjoys a forward role more.
That brings me on nicely to the attacking position. Captain Marc Richards is probably one of the first names on the teamsheet these days. He's fairly prolific, although I understand he's having a hard time this season. His partner could be Vale-supporter Tom Pope, who made the permanent move from Crewe in the summer. Ben Williamson provides another option upfront.
HOW THEY LINED UP.
This is how they lined up at Blundell Park on Tuesday night:
Chris Martin
Adam Yates
John McCombe
Clayton McDonald
Lee Collins
Sam Morsy
Gary Roberts
Anthony Griffith
Louis Dodds
Tom Pope
Rob Taylor
Subs: Tomlinson, Kozluk, Rigg, Roe, Davis, Lloyd.
LAST TIME AT VALE PARK.
Port Vale (1) 1 [Griffith 37]
Torquay (2) 2 [Wroe 5, Zebroski 28]
Att: 5750 (215 Gulls)
PREDICTION.
Vale 0-0 Gulls