The Valiants will be backed by a sold-out away end on Saturday as we make the trip to Fleetwood Town.
Vale come into the game off the back of a frustrating 0-0 draw against Harrogate on Tuesday night.
Vale’s closest effort of the night came just four minutes in when Jack Shorrock’s corner was cleared as far as Lorent Tolaj who saw his looping header hit the top of the crossbar. Vale came close again soon after when Rekeem Harper’s powerful effort was palmed wide by James Belshaw. In the second half, Vale continued to push for the winning goal and had a golden chance seven minutes from time Nathan Smith headed the ball into the path of Jerry Umolu, but his low effort crept the wrong side of the upright.
Gaffer's Thoughts
Here’s what Darren Moore had to say following Tuesday night’s stalemate
There was frustration, we tried in vain to get that all-important goal. When I look back on it, we had enough chances. We had double figures with the shot count but when Jerry put that one past the post, I think that signalled to everyone that we could have been here all night and not scored.”
“It was just one of those evenings. We created enough to win two games. We have been good at scoring goals, but we just couldn’t get that all-important one tonight.”
The Gaffer also spoke ahead of Saturday’s trip to Highbury
“We give Fleetwood with the utmost respect, Pete (Wild) has done a great job going in there and steadying the ship and then now turning around the club’s fortunes and what we’re seeing is some fantastic results on the pitch, but not only that, he’s got individuals playing at their full potential.”
“So again, it’s a game that we entertain, but it’s a game that we know we have to be at our very level best of ourselves if we are to come away with any kind of result. We know the task; we know the difficulty of it and it’s another hurdle that we’re looking forward to as management staff and players.”
The Opposition
Fleetwood Town currently sit mid-table in 12th place in Skybet League Two. They come into the game on a three-game unbeaten run which includes two wins and one draw.
Their draw came last weekend when they hosted Notts County. After going a goal down, Ryan Grayson’s brace put them into a winning position before Allassana Jatta popped up with an 89th minute leveller for the Magpies.
Both their recent wins have come on the road, they beat Gillingham 2-1 last month with Graydon scoring the winner. More recently, they thumped Crewe Alexandra 4-1 at The Mornflake Stadium on Tuesday Night. That man Graydon was in the goals again has he opened the scoring in what was a very impressive display by the Cod Army.
Fleetwood’s home form has been decent this season. In their 18 home games they have won six, drawn nine and lost just three games at Highbury. Their last loss came back in January when they were beaten 2-1 by Carlisle United.
Who’s in Charge?
Former Halifax Town and Barrow manager Pete Wild is in charge of Fleetwood Town. Wild took over the reins at Highbury on Christmas Eve 2024 following the departure of Charlie Adam.
The 40-year-old had success with Barrow where he guided them to a 9th place finish in his first full-season in League Two. In the 2023/24 season he saw his Barrow side equal a club record EFL winning run of four matches. Barrow would eventually finish 8th in the League, narrowly missing out on the play off places.
In the fifteen games that Wild has taken charge of Fleetwood he has won six, drawn four and lost five.
It is worth noting that Wild will be serving the first of a three-game touchline ban on Saturday after he picked up a suspension following his misconduct during the Grimsby Town fixture last month.
Player to Watch
Ryan Graydon comes into the game with five goals and one assist in his last four games. The Irish striker has 19 goal involvements so far this season and he is currently in red-hot form.
Brendan Wiredu has been a mainstay in the Fleetwood Town line up for the last three seasons. The left sided centre back has started every game for the Cod Army so far this season and put in some excellent defensive displays.
After leaving Vale in January, Brandon Cover joined Fleetwood Town on loan from Leicester City. Cover has made six appearances for Fleetwood which includes four starts and two substitute appearances. He was an unused substitute on Tuesday night.
Last Time We Met
Port Vale 3-1 Fleetwood Town, Saturday 19th October 2024
Vale will be looking to complete the league double over Fleetwood after a 3-1 victory at Vale Park earlier in the season.
Rico Richards opened the scoring just after the half hour mark when he finished well following Jayden Stockley’s cut back. The visitors swiftly levelled the game when Phoenix Patterson’s deep cross was met by Carl Johnston who cushioned a volley into the back of the net.
In the second half Vale regained the lead when Benicio found Ryan Croasdale in the box who took a touch before finishing well into the far corner. The points were wrapped up in the 73rd minute when Ronan Curtis powerfully headed Ben Garrity’s cross into the top corner.
