The Armchair Prediction League & Preview – Port Vale

Looking at the arse end of League 1 it’s hard to believe so many clubs are caught up in the battle to avoid relegation, with teams as high as 15^th still looking over their shoulders. Just 4 points separates Walsall in 15^th from Colchester in 23^rd and it looks increasingly likely that it’s going to be down to the last game of the season for many, and some teams likely to be saved or relegated purely on goal difference.

Forgive my cruel streak right now, but I can never recall in my 40+ years of going to a football  match and witnessing a team being relegated as the final whistle is blown. I had long hoped following my horrendous visit to Yeovil a few years back and then looking at this season’s fixture list that we may banish them to League 2 on the final day of the season, sadly for me at least that pleasure looks like it will be well and truly decided long before their sorry arses turn up at MK.

So the likelihood of us inflicting the final fatal body blow on a team this season look slim, but with games over Orient and this coming Saturday Port Vale we could with a victory pour more misery on their season and aspirations to stay in League 1 next season.

Taking Yeovil as doomed, I’m still torn who I would want to see relegated, so entirely for personal reasons, I’m waving goodbye to Colchester, Coventry and Orient, purely because I enjoy a day out at the others and the fish & chips at Crewe are top dollar.

Enough I hear you cry, let’s get down to business; the travelling army will descend upon Port Vale on Saturday, and before I forget, make sure you try a cheeseburger outside the away end…..a good reason in itself to extend Vale’s life in League 1.

They are currently 16^th in the League, 2 points above relegation with a playing record of PLAYED 41, WON 14, DRAWN 6, LOST 21, GF 49, GA 59 and a GD of -10 with a 48 points tally.

Their current form (Last 10 Games) stands at 3 WINS and 7 DEFEATS, which includes a current run of 6 straight defeats.

Port Vale Home Form 2014/15 – League Only

Port Vale 1 Colchester 2

Port Vale 2 Crawley 3

Port Vale 0 Swindon 1

Port Vale 0 Oldham 1

Port Vale 3 Doncaster 0

Port Vale 2 Bradford 2

Port Vale 0 Crewe 1

Port Vale 2 Peterborough 1

Port Vale 2 Gillingham 1

Port Vale 2 Sheff Utd 1

Port Vale 0 Coventry 2

Port Vale 1 Rochdale 0

Port Vale 3 Orient 0

Port Vale 2 Scunthorpe 2

Port Vale 4 Yeovil 1

Port Vale 2 Barnsley 1

Port Vale 0 Bristol City 3

Port Vale 1 Chesterfield 2

Port Vale 0 Notts County 2

Port Vale 1 Walsall 1

That’s a home record for Vale of PLAYED 20, WON 8, DRAWN 3, LOST 9, with GF 28 & GA 27.

Port Vale Manager – Robert “Rob” Page aged 40 was appointed, initially as a caretaker in September 2014, this is his first managerial position, and Rob was formerly a coach at Port Vale for 3 years.

His stats show he has a 37.14% win ratio with a record of GAMES 35, WINS 13, DRAWS 4 and 18 LOSSES.

His Senior Career began in 1993 as a defender for Watford where he played 218 games before moving to Sheffield United. Rob had further spells with Cardiff City, Coventry City, Huddersfield Town and Chesterfield where he hung up his boots in 2011. He made 481 appearances in his career scoring 6 goals and also represented Wales at Under 21 level for 4 games and the Senior Welsh team, playing 41 games and on one occasion captaining the side.

Port Vale Danger Man – Ben Williamson 10 Goals (All Comps)

Port Vale Mascot – Boomer a black and white dog.

Former Port Vale Players – Robbie Earle, Billy Bingham, Gareth Ainsworth, Chris Birchall & Roy Sproson who played 842 games for Port Vale in 23 years.

A Former Port Vale Manager – Sir Stanley Matthews CBE

Famous Fan – Robbie “Let Me Entertain You” Williams who is a major shareholder at Port Vale

Current Match Odds – Port Vale 3/1 Draw 27/10 MK Dons 11/10

Last Time Round – 22^nd November 2014 – MK Dons 1 Port Vale 0

Team – Martin, Spence, McFadzean, Kay, Lewington, C Baker (Green), Potter, Reeves (Grigg), Alli, Powell (Bowditch), Afobe

Unused Subs – Hodson, Flanagan, Randall, McLoughlin

Scorer – C Baker 3’

Attendance – 12,007

Ref – Gary Sutton

Match Stats – Former Don Chris Lines was sent off in the 37^th minute for a head butt on Dele Alli after Dele had fouled him, Lines is currently out on loan. Dons recorded 56% possession with 18 shots, 5 of which were on target to Vale’s 3 shots with 1 on target, Dons had 8 corners to Vale’s 1.

Port Vale Titbits – Port Vale is one of few league clubs not to be named after a distinct geographical location, they are based in Burslem, Staffordshire, one of the 6 towns that make up Stoke-Upon-Trent. The name Port Vale exists on maps pre-dating the formation of the club in 1876 and is reference to a valley of ports on the Trent and Mersey Canal associated with the city’s pottery industry.

Port Vale have played more seasons in the second tier of English football (41) than any other club and have never reached the top tier.

They were original founders of the 2^nd Division in 1892 and founder members of the 4^th Division in 1958.

Vale Park is the 5^th home ground of Port Vale.

There appears to be some confusion on Vale’s exact formation with some historians quoting 1879 as its birthdate, with some saying it was an offshoot to Porthill Victoria FC, others suggesting it was formed at a meeting in 1876 that took place at Port Vale House.

In 1884 the club moved to its 3^rd new home Burslem, and promptly changed their name to Burslem Port Vale. The club dropped the Burslem prefix in 1907 a season that saw financial difficulties ending in the club resigning from the league. The club reformed 5 years later and in 1919 the club returned to the 2^nd Division at the expense of Leeds City who were disbanded because of financial irregularities.

In 1992/93 Port Vale played twice at Wembley in one week, winning 2-1 against Stockport County in the Autoglass Trophy and the following week losing 3-0 to West Brom in the Playoff Final.

In 2002 the club went into administration owing 1.5 Million, Valliant 2001 eventually secured control of the club, Port Vale was released from administration in 2003 under a new board of fan ownership.

Genuine hopes of promotion in 2011/12 were brought to an end when the club were served with a winding up order by HMRC, at the time the club were unable to pay tax, bills, creditors or staff wages and were slapped with a 10 point deduction, which put them back in mid table, the following season they were promoted back into the League 1 after finishing in 3^rd place.

Head 2 Head – Port Vale v Milton Keynes Dons

2014/15 – MK Dons 1 Port Vale 0

2014/15 – Port Vale 3 MK Dons 4 (FA Cup)

2013/14 – Port Vale 1 MK Dons 0
2013/14 – MK Dons 3 Port Vale 0
2005/06 – Port Vale 3 MK Dons 1
2005/06 – MK Dons 0 Port Vale 0
2004/05 – MK Dons 1 Port Vale 1
2004/05 – Port Vale 3 MK Dons 2

That’s a record for the Dons of PLAYED 8, WON 3, DRAWN 2, LOST 3 with GF 12 & GA 11, that’s an average of 1.5 goals per game for the Dons and 1.38 for Port Vale.

That’s it for this game, the APL table following the Scunthorpe game will be up later today.

Please make your predictions clearly below, making sure you sort your Baker’s out. No alternatives for the 1^st MK Dons Goalscorer depending on Robbo’s team selection, all the other usual rules apply, you now have until 2pm on matchday to make and edit your predictions.

Good Luck Everyone.

WellDon