Port Vale will look to return to winning ways on Boxing Day, when we welcome Barrow to Vale Park. You can find all of the key information regarding the game, below.
Fixture: Port Vale vs Barrow
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday 26th December
Kick-Off: 3:00 pm
Venue: Vale Park
Referee: Samuel Barrott
Port Vale
Manager: John Askey
Form: WWDDL
Top goalscorer: Devante Rodney (5 goals)
With the Christmas period fixtures beginning to come thick and fast, John Askey will be hoping that his side can get a win to kickstart a run of three games in eight days.
Despite an excellent first-half performance at Walsall in our last fixture, we were unable to secure any points, but despite this, we still remain only six points out of the play-off picture, so a win on Boxing Day could potentially pull us right back into the race.
The Gaffer has no new injury concerns ahead of the clash with James Gibbons and David Worrall remaining on the sidelines, whilst Cristian Montano and Mark Cullen are doubts.
“We need to start cutting out the little mistakes. We’ve dominated games and we are looking dangerous but we need to start cutting out the mistakes and start keeping clean sheets”
Tom Conlon, Port Vale midfielder
Barrow
Manager: Michael Jolley
Form: LLLLW
Top Goal Scorer: Josh Kay & Dior Angus (4 goals)
Barrow have found life difficult since their promotion to the football league as champions last season, sitting in 22nd place, three points above the relegation zone.
Manager Michael Jolley will be taking charge of his first game after his appointment on Wednesday, following the dismissal of David Dunn earlier in the month.
The Bluebirds ambitions this season are likely to be about surviving in the league in their first season back in the EFL for 48 years.
One to watch: Luke James
The 26-year-old forward has made a big impression at Barrow since he joined the club in the summer of 2020.
He has spent two spells at Hartlepool United, after coming through the youth academy ranks there in 2011, before re-signing for the club in 2018, after four years away from the club, having scored 25 goals for the club across his time at the club.
He has also spent time at Peterborough United and Forest Green Rovers, whilst having also played for a number of clubs across the EFL, before joining the Bluebirds in the summer transfer window and scoring three goals so far, in their return to the EFL.
Talk:
John Askey: “It doesn’t matter who we are playing, we have to be guarded against the teams below as they are all capable of beating anyone, but if we get our defensive duties right, we can beat anybody.”
Tom Conlon: “Like anybody in this league, you cannot underestimate Barrow, and it’s a game we’re looking forward to.”
Coverage:
iFollow The Vale will be providing full 90-minute coverage of the match for all domestic supporters, whilst the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.
To purchase an iFollow match pass click here.
There will also be the build-up to the game with the official Snapchat and Instagram accounts: @officialpvfc
Reaction will be available on the website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and our official social media channels.