Stevenage vs Port Vale
Date - 30/09/17
Venue – Broadhall Way
Preview
Port Vale travel South to face Stevenage next in League Two as they look to bounce back and pick up a second win of the season.
The Valiants were unlucky not to salvage three points at Yeovil last weekend and were unfortunate not to come away with at least one point against Accrington Stanley.
Last time Vale faced Stevenage came at Vale Park during last season’s campaign under then manager Bruno Ribeiro in the FA Cup.
That day, Vale came away with a 1-0 win, thanks to a Remie Streete header, which booked their place in the next round.
The Opposition
Stevenage currently sit 6th in League Two and are in a good position to challenge for a play-off position.
Danny Newton is currently their top goalscorer with five goals as he becomes a catalyst in the first XI and has played an important role in helping to push the club up the table so far this season.
Last season, The Boro finished a respectable 10th position after chasing promotion for most of the season. That will be the aim this time round as gaffer, Darren Sarll has high hopes for the remainder of the campaign to continue their early form.
Talk
Sarll: “They are a good group of players. If you pull them individually it is a good group. Some of them I have worked with before, Tom Pope in particular, who has an indifferent reputation but I absolutely loved the time I spent with Tom at Rotherham. Massive character and was great with me and great with the youth team.
“It will be a tough game. Pope, Tyrone Barnett, Lawrie Wilson, Anthony Kay, Kelle Roos - all good players. Majority of their careers have been spent in League One or the Championship in some cases so it is a good collection of players.
Morgan: “We’ve been really pleased, me and Ned, with the response of the players over the last two games. We’ve changed the shape a bit, the lads have taken to it, but we still haven’t got that win.
“That little bit of quality in the final third is missing and it’s decision making. We got into good areas tonight, but it’s just that final decision that is costing us.”
Team News
Vale could welcome back Danny Pugh to first team action, after he made his return from injury with the reserves this week.
Elsewhere, James Gibbons will return from suspension, but Cristian Montano, Anton Forrester, Kjell Knops and Rob Lainton remain sidelined.
Coverage
iFollow 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.