Exeter City vs Port Vale
Date: 21st October 2017
Venue: St. James’ Park
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Preview
Vale go into their clash with Exeter in high spirits having won two games in succession, coming out on top against Cheltenham Town and Morecambe respectively.
Neil Aspin’s side also kept their first clean sheet of the season on Tuesday night and they will be looking to build on that versus the Grecians.
Another set of three points would pull the Valiants further away from the bottom two in the division, with the potential to rise three places if other results go their way.
The Opposition
Despite enduring some financial difficulties over the years, Exeter City are now establishing themselves as a strong side in the fourth tier having lost in the play-off final last season.
They have got off to a flyer this time around too, lying in an automatic promotion spot and just a single point away from top spot.
However, they are now without a win in their last two games. An away draw to Wycombe Wanderers was followed by a heavy home defeat to Luton Town, so they will be determined to turn that around.
Talk
Cristian Montano: “No matter how you do it, getting three points is key and the way we did it against Cheltenham was great - people throwing bodies on the line.
“Winning that and then having the midweek game so close, the momentum builds. We went to Morecambe, scored three and kept a clean sheet - that’s all that matters.”
Paul Tisdale: “I think we can only really concentrate on the last two or three weeks. It is no good looking at their previous results.
“They have had a really good three games since he has been in charge and that is what is now relevant and that is what we have to get our thinking from.
“Based on that we are going to get a game against a competitive, focused, well-organised team, who are all pulling in one direction, and that normally means a tough game.”
Team News
Vale remain without long-term absentees Rob Lainton, Kjell Knops and Anton Forrester, but Aspin was buoyed by the return of Cristian Montano on Tuesday night.
The winger played the final few minutes and scored a goal during the 3-0 win, and he could feature once again at the weekend.
Exeter could be without key midfielder, Hiram Boateng, who suffered a calf injury in the Grecians’ clash with Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday.
Other than that, Tisdale has a relatively full strength side to select from, although a couple of players have been carrying niggling injuries.
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 and Instagram accounts: officialpvfc.
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.