Port Vale at home Saturday 7th August 2021

[GrangeParkCobbler]

We're back! A new season gets underway on Saturday and i'll still do the preview threads as I think and hope they went down well last season!!

So we're back in Division 4, or League 2 whichever you prefer, and the Valiants come knocking on our door first up. Ironic that we grabbed a playoff place in the curtailed 2019-20 season possibly at their expense, they were the form side and had recently beaten us, only for us to win out on points per game when the season finished early.

It's been a busy off season at Vale Park, a number of new signings have been made, goalkeepers Lucas Covolan (Torquay) and Aiden Stone (Mansfield), defenders Ben Garrity (Blackpool), Aaron Martin (Hamilton), Dan Jones (Salford), Ryan Johnson (Hartlepool), Mal Benning (Mansfield) and Lewis Cass (was at Hartlepool last season but signed by Newcastle and sent out on loan to Vale), midfielders Brad Walker (Shrewsbury) and Tom Pett (Stevenage), with forwards James Wilson (Salford) and Jamie Proctor from Wigan. 

Still in situ at Vale are the likes of Leon Legge, Tom Conlon and the transfer listed Theo Robinson as well as last seasons top scorer Devante Rodney.

Darrel Clarke is the man in charge, the former Bristol Rovers and Walsall boss took over in February and led his team to eight wins from 18 games with a final league position of 13th being achieved.

Vale will embark on their fifth season in League 2 following relegation in 2017 and its 21 long years since they dropped out of what is now the Championship. Former players include our now head of recruitment Martin Foyle who was top scorer for Vale in 1992, 94, 95 and 99, Leon Constantine (top scorer in 2006 and 2007) as well as Marc Richards, again a former Vale top scorer in 2009, 10, 11 and 12.

Pre-season, competitive friendlies have been played away at Fleetwood (0-1), home against Forest (0-2) and Sheffield Wednesday (1-2) and an away game on Saturday at Chesterfield which they won 1-0. In that game their goalkeeper Covolan was sent off and it is unclear at present whether that sending off will lead to a ban on Saturday against us.

Head to head over the years, 72 games with 22 Vale wins and 29 Cobblers wins. We have though failed to win any of our last four encounters with them. We did the double over them in 2016/17 but since then its 3 defeats and a draw, with the last meeting that 1-0 win for Vale at Sixfields in February 2020 courtesy of a David Worrall goal. They have graced Sixfields on 12 previous occasions, winning five and losing five with two games drawn,

You have to go back to 2004 for the last time Vale tasted defeat in their opening League game. All good things come to an end though!! 

In the markets they're generally around 16/1 to win the title, similar to us with a top 10 finish expected by the bookies.

[Shoemender]

Last season didn’t actually happen, it was all a dream and we’re exactly where we were 2 years ago in more ways than one!! I am very optimistic about the coming season and am reasonably confident of kicking off with a win if he gets the team and tactics right. COME ON!,

[The 12th Marquis of Sixfields]

I imagine Northants Police are overwhelmed with joy at us having Vale for their first away game they'll have been allowed to attend in 15 months

[Manwork04]

I imagine Northants Police are overwhelmed with joy at us having Vale for their first away game they'll have been allowed to attend in 15 months

Vale fans are absolute scum.

[everbrite]

We're back! A new season gets underway on Saturday and i'll still do the preview threads as I think and hope they went down well last season!!

So we're back in Division 4, or League 2 whichever you prefer, and the Valiants come knocking on our door first up. Ironic that we grabbed a playoff place in the curtailed 2019-20 season possibly at their expense, they were the form side and had recently beaten us, only for us to win out on points per game when the season finished early.



Vale will embark on their fifth season in League 2 following relegation in 2017 and its 21 long years since they dropped out of what is now the Championship. Former players include our now head of recruitment Martin Foyle who was top scorer for Vale in 1992, 94, 95 and 99, Leon Constantine (top scorer in 2006 and 2007) as well as Marc Richards, again a former Vale top scorer in 2009, 10, 11 and 12.

Pre-season, competitive friendlies have been played away at Fleetwood (0-1), home against Forest (0-2) and Sheffield Wednesday (1-2) and an away game on Saturday at Chesterfield which they won 1-0. In that game their goalkeeper Covolan was sent off and it is unclear at present whether that sending off will lead to a ban on Saturday against us.

Head to head over the years, 72 games with 22 Vale wins and 29 Cobblers wins. We have though failed to win any of our last four encounters with them. We did the double over them in 2016/17 but since then its 3 defeats and a draw, with the last meeting that 1-0 win for Vale at Sixfields in February 2020 courtesy of a David Worrall goal. They have graced Sixfields on 12 previous occasions, winning five and losing five with two games drawn,

You have to go back to 2004 for the last time Vale tasted defeat in their opening League game. All good things come to an end though!! 

In the markets they're generally around 16/1 to win the title, similar to us with a top 10 finish expected by the bookies.

We're back! A new season gets underway on Saturday and i'll still do the preview threads as I think and hope they went down well last season!! I for one enjoyed them as did Manny so no worries.

[claretparrot]

Enjoy these GPC. Keep up the good work and thanks.

[guest2995]

last time we played them at home , their two centre halves were superb - i don’t know if they still play for them ?
They have a Brazilian keeper we were linked with . Expect a bombardment of crosses .

[The Rauldinho]

Can't wait to get started, but will probably be late as have an U16's friendly to manage with a 12:30 KO. 

Looking forward to seeing how we get on in terms of goal scoring, fingers crossed Etete gets some time on the pitch.

Guessing the line up will not be too different from Cambridge?

[EB Claret]

Thanks for the previews GPC really good work and always leave me looking forward to the game Keep 'em coming.

[guest3338]

Can't wait to get started, but will probably be late as have an U16's friendly to manage with a 12:30 KO. 

Looking forward to seeing how we get on in terms of goal scoring, fingers crossed Etete gets some time on the pitch.

Guessing the line up will not be too different from Cambridge?

It's a friendly and you're the manager. 30 mins each way will be more than enough 😀

[The Rauldinho]

It's a friendly and you're the manager. 30 mins each way will be more than enough 😀

 

I'm almost hoping for it to be rained off!

[west stand oap]

I'm predicting a rare opening day 2-1 victory ending Port Vales long opening day unbeaten run. Shoemaker's, yet to be signed, new striker will have an immediate impact and put us 2-0 up within 5 minutes. Unfortunately those thugs from Port Vale will deal with his threat, like they did Nicholls several years ago, and he will sustain a season ending injury. This will have an unsettling effect on the team and Port Vale will pull agoal back but we will rally to see out the win.
Interesting fact: there is no port at Port Vale, " not a lot of people know that".

[Manwork04]

I'm predicting a rare opening day 2-1 victory ending Port Vales long opening day unbeaten run. Shoemaker's, yet to be signed, new striker will have an immediate impact and put us 2-0 up within 5 minutes. Unfortunately those thugs from Port Vale will deal with his threat, like they did Nicholls several years ago, and he will sustain a season ending injury. This will have an unsettling effect on the team and Port Vale will pull agoal back but we will rally to see out the win.
Interesting fact: there is no port at Port Vale, " not a lot of people know that".

You are correct sir there is no port but this is more than made up for by an enormous shît hole instead.

[guest3086]

A lot of them have cockburns though.

[WMJ]

Vale fans are absolute scum.

Thanks, everyone of us, right?

[guest3465]

It'll be my first game since Bristol Rovers in the promotion season, no expectations at all other than some "entertaining" football

[Winslow Lee]

Thanks, everyone of us, right?

I wouldn’t worry he’s just generally obnoxious

[WMJ]

I wouldn’t worry he’s just generally obnoxious

Thanks for that, much appreciated. All of us have our less desirables, so to speak.

[everbrite]

It'll be my first game since Bristol Rovers in the promotion season, no expectations at all other than some "entertaining" football

What on earth have you been doing for 2/3 years, discount last season tho’! Personally I think it will be a feisty game?

[Clarity]

Thanks, everyone of us, right?

No, the rest of you are delicate snowflakes