Fixture – Chesterfield vs Port Vale
Date – 19th August 2017
Venue – The Proact Stadium
Preview
Port Vale will travel to Chesterfield on Saturday in hope of continuing their 100%-win record away from home in the league.
Michael Brown’s side will be looking to bounce back after the 3-2 loss to Wycombe Wanderers last weekend.
Two games in, and Chesterfield sit bottom of League Two without a point. They suffered defeats to Grimsby and Notts County in their opening match-ups with manager, Gary Caldwell, hoping to turn around things fast.
A win for either side will see a huge leap up the table with promotion-chasing Vale, hoping to climb into a play-off or automatic promotion position.
The Opposition
Our opponents for Saturday haven’t enjoyed a great start to life in League Two where they have lost all three of their games in all competitions.
A 3-1 and 2-1 loss to Grimsby and Notts County respectively, saw the Spireites fall into the relegation zone, only to be topped off by a 4-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup.
Similar to the Valiants, Chesterfield will be hoping to return to League One the first time of asking after they finished rock bottom last season.
The encounter will be the first time the two sides have met in a league since last season where Chesterfield ran out as 1-0 winners on the 8th April 2017.
Talk
Michael Brown: “It will be a tough game. Gary is getting a good squad together and already has some good players.”
“I know the results haven’t gone that well for them at the moment, but I think that they will certainly be a team to be reckoned with at the end of the season.”
Tommy Lee (Chesterfield Goalkeeper): “I wouldn’t call it a rot, I’ve been in plenty at this football club, but losing our opening two games isn’t one. We do need to change it though and the lads are chomping at the bit, we had a really good training session on Tuesday and now we want to get out there on Saturday.
Team News
Vale will have a new option available for selection, in the form on new signing Jack Stobbs who will be looking to make his debut. However, the Valiants will be without Danny Pugh, Anton Forrester, Rob Lainton and Tyrone Barnett. Cristian Montano is doubtful.
Chesterfield will be without Jerome Binnom-Williams and Joe Rowley. New signing Chris O’Grady will be one to look out for.
Coverage
Follow The Vale will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, while the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feed will be providing live updates for the entirety.
There will also be build-up to the game with the official Snapchat account: officialpvfc.
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.