Port Vale host Carlisle United to Vale Park today, as they look to extend their home unbeaten run to nine games. After picking up three wins on the bounce heading into the game, the Valiants will be hoping they can turn it into four and continue to climb the table. You can find all of the key information regarding the game, below.
Fixture: Port Vale vs Carlisle United
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday 16th November 2019
Kick-Off: 3:00 pm
Venue: Vale Park
Referee: Martin Coy
Port Vale
Manager: John Askey
Form: LDWDW
Top Goal Scorer: Richie Bennett (4 goals)
The Vale are currently unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, after advancing in both the FA Cup and Leasign.com trophy with wins against MK Dons and the Newcastle United Under-21’s.
Vale currently sit just two points off a Play-Off position and their focus will be on picking up another three points to help keep their climb up the table going today.
Tom Conlon returned to action for the Valiants on Tuesday, playing 60 minutes against Newcastle, handing a boost to John Askey as he adds another option for the midfield. Adam Crookes and Manny Oyeleke both remain sidelined with their injuries but aside from that Askey has a fully fit squad to choose from.
“We’ve been in this position a couple of times before now where we need to push on, obviously the players are confident with how results have gone.”
John Askey, Port Vale Manager
Carlisle United
Manager: Gavin Skelton
Form: LLLDW
Top Goal Scorer(s): Harry McKirdy (7 goals)
Once again the Vale will take on a side who have just sacked their manager, with Steven Pressley being let go by the Blues after just 10 months in charge, with Carlisle sat 19th in the league.
A 3-1 defeat to Morecambe which saw Carlisle knocked out of the Leasing.com trophy was the last game for Pressley and it is now Gavin Skelton and the rest of the backroom staff who take charge of the club.
Carlisle should have the majority of their squad available for selection today, but caretaker manager Gavin Skelton said he feels the game is too soon for midfielder Stefan Scougall to get back into action after his injury.
One to watch: Harry McKirdy
Carlisle’s star man so far this campaign has been their young attacking midfielder, Harry McKirdy, with the Englishman acting as the sides main attacking threat by using his ability to dribble past defenders and find the back of the net.
He began his career in the Aston Villa academy, where his talent earnt him a loan move Stevenage in 2016, and McKirdy excelled, scoring 17 times in his 11 games for the side.
The following two seasons the 22-year old made loan moves to Crewe Alexandra and Newport County before signing permanently for Carlisle in the summer.
McKirdy has shone at Brunton Park, finding the net seven times and also picking up five assists so far this season.
Talk:
John Askey: “They’ll [Carlisle] come into the game and we won't know how they’re going to play, usually when a team have a manage in place you know who’s going to play and how they’re going to play, but obviously it changes things."
Gavin Skelton: “A lot has happened this week, it’s been a full-on week, so our focus is just on the Port Vale game on Saturday at the moment.”
Coverage:
iFollow The Vale will be providing full 90-minute commentary from the match, whilst the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.
There will also be the build-up to the game with the official Snapchat and Instagram accounts: officialpvfc
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.