The Valiants are back in action on Saturday as we make the trip to Milton Keynes to face MK Dons.
Our seven-game unbeaten run continued on Saturday as we earned a hard-fought victory at Notts County. Lorent Tolaj scored against the run of play in the 23rd minute when he diverted Ronan Curtis’ low cross into the bottom corner.
Vale came under pressure from County throughout the game, but stood firm, defended excellently and took all three points back to Staffordshire.
Gaffer's Thoughts
Here’s what Darren Moore had to say following last weekend’s 1-0 win
“It was a hard-fought three points, we knew it would be a difficult place to come and we knew we had to put in that performance, certainly off the ball. We got that from the boys, and not just the starting eleven but from the subs who came on. It has been an all-round team effort.”
“I thought we got the selection just about right and, I have said from the start this season, we can have horses for courses with this team.”
With another large number of Valiants making the trip to Milton Keynes, the Gaffer spoke about the impact this has on his players and staff:
“We go over to applaud the fans because the group of players, myself, the football club understand that the fans have had a hard weeks work just as the players have. So we appreciate that, the time and support and the energy that they come to support us as a team and a football club”
“I’ll say now to every single one of them we really do appreciate the support because we know it’s not easy out there in terms of the work that we’re all doing on a daily basis. So that’s an appreciation that when it comes to your weekend, you’re giving up that time and that energy to come and support your team and the players certainly feel that.”
The Opposition
The EFL’s youngest club currently sit in 14th place in Sky Bet League Two with 12 points from 10 games. These points have come in the form of three wins, three draws and four losses. The Dons come into the game with just one win in their last seven games.
In midweek, they drew 2-2 with Arsenal U21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy before eventually winning on penalties to gain a bonus point. Despite one win in seven, MK Dons are unbeaten in four in the League. This one win came against Harrogate Town when they emphatically won 5-1 with five different goal scorers.
Who’s in Charge?
Scott Lindsay recently joined the Dons from Crawley Town. Last season, Lindsey led Crawley to promotion to League One after they beat MK Dons and Crewe Alexandra in the play offs.
After one and a half seasons at Crawley Town, Lindsey made the move to MK Dons after Mike Williamson joined Carlisle United. The 52-year-old is unbeaten as manager of the Dons so far. He has won one and drawn three of his first four games in the hot seat.
Player to Watch
Joe Tomlinson has been the standout player for the Dons so far. The defender has scored once and assisted two goals so far this season. Tomlinson will be looking to better his productivity from last season when he scored seven and assisted six from his left wing-back position.
MK’s leading scorer is Alex Gilbey. The experienced EFL midfielder has scored three times for his side in ten starts this season. Gilbey will also be looking to better last season where he scored ten and assisted fourteen goals to help his side reach the Play-Offs.
Former Valiant Ellis Harrison has scored twice this season. He has been suspended for the previous three games, but he is back and available for selection this weekend.
Last time we met
Port Vale 1-0 MK Dons, Saturday 4th March 2023
The last time the sides met was back in 2023 in a Sky Bet League One fixture and it was The Valiants who ran out winners at Vale Park.
The only goal of this fixture came in the first half when Mal Benning’s cross was cleared as far as David Worrall who saw his low volley diverted home by Aaron Donnelly who was six yards out. In the second half, Vale came inches away from doubling the lead when then-Vale striker Ellis Harrison crashed an effort off the upright from just inside the box.
David Worrall had a good opportunity of his own when a corner from the right fell his way, but his volley was saved well by the keeper who saw it late and made a good block with his legs.
Fixture Throwback
MK Dons 0-1 Port Vale, Saturday 9th November 2019
The sides met in the FA Cup First Round at Stadium MK in the 2019/20 season with the only goal of this Emirates FA Cup meeting coming midway through the first half when David Worrall ghosted in at the back post to head home James Gibbons’ cross to give Vale the lead.
In a fairly uneventful game, the Dons had more of the ball, but were unable to force an opening as Vale defended resolutely to book their place in the next round of the FA Cup.
