Port Vale will look to build on Tuesday’s draw at Bradford City, with a positive result at Field Mill when we take on Mansfield Town on Saturday, in our first match of 2021. You can find all of the key information regarding the game, below.
Fixture: Mansfield Town vs Port Vale
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday 2nd January
Kick-Off: 3:00 pm
Venue: Field Mill
Referee: Ben Toner
Port Vale
Manager: John Askey
Form: DDLLD
Top goalscorer: Devante Rodney (5 goals)
Port Vale will be looking to build on our clean sheet and point at Bradford City to round off last year when we take on Mansfield Town on Saturday, in our first match of 2021.
An excellent defensive display ensured that we took a share of the spoils back to Vale Park on Tuesday night, and John Askey will be hoping that his defence can put in a similar shift at Field Mill.
In this fixture last season, we played out a 2-2 draw with the Stags, with centre back pair Nathan Smith and Leon Legge getting on the scoresheet for the Valiants that day.
James Gibbons has returned to training but is unavailable for selection for Saturday’s game, whilst Manny Oyeleke and Tom Conlon are also out of the running for the clash at Field Mill. David Worrall, Cristian Montano and Mark Cullen could return after their respective injury lay-offs.
“Mark Cullen, Cristian Montano and David Worrall are all back in training now, whether they can be involved in Saturday’s game, we’ll just have to wait and see, but it’s just nice to have them at the training ground.”
John Askey, Port Vale manager
Mansfield Town
Manager: Nigel Clough
Form: DDLDW
Top Goal Scorer: George Lapslie (5 goals)
Mansfield have had a difficult season so far, and they sit just three points and two places above the relegation zone.
Nigel Clough took over the Stags and has yielded more positive results, and he will be hoping that his side can turn over a new leaf in 2021, and steer his side well clear of relegation out of the EFL.
The Stags have been one of the favourites for promotion from Sky Bet League Two for the past few seasons, and will be hoping that they can show some of the reasons why they have been so heavily backed in Saturday’s clash.
One to watch: George Lapslie
The 23-year-old midfielder has made a big impression at the Stags since he joined the club on a season-long loan in October.
He has spent the majority of his career at Charlton Athletic, the club where he came through the youth ranks.
He has scored one goal across his 40 appearances for the Addicks so far and was granted a loan move to Clough’s Mansfield side this season.
He has been a shining light in the Stags campaign so far, having scored 5 goals this season, making him their top-scorer from midfield, so the Valiants defence will have to keep on eye on the goalscoring midfielder.
Talk:
John Askey: “It’s about getting the balance right between keeping clean sheets and scoring goals, hopefully the clean sheet at Bradford has given the lads confidence and we can start playing and getting the ball down whilst keeping a clean sheet.”
Nigel Clough: “Port Vale are still more than capable and one of those teams who could easily challenge for the top six.”
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.