After a lengthy spell away from Vale park, the Valiants finally return to home action in the league today, with their first home game since New Year’s Day. The Vale will welcome Leyton Orient to Vale Park and you can find all of the key information regarding the game, below.
Fixture: Port Vale vs Leyton Orient
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday 18th January 2020
Kick-Off: 3:00 pm
Venue: Vale Park
Referee: Michael Salisbury
Port Vale
Manager: John Askey
Form: DWDWL
Top Goal Scorer: Tom Pope (7 goals)
The Vale have had an action packed start to 2020, picking up eight points in the league with just one loss, whilst also competing in the Leasing.com Trophy and facing Manchester City in the FA Cup.
The Valiants have dropped just seven points since Boxing Day after wins against table topping Swindon Town and Stevenage, but will be hoping to get another three points on the board today after a defeat against Morecambe on Tuesday night.
John Askey is still without Adam Crookes and Manny Oyeleke, but their recovery has continued to stride forward, whilst Jake Taylor remains sidelined by a knee injury, but that aside, Askey has a fully fit squad to choose from.
“The main thing I think is that we’ve progressed this year, I’m still not happy I still want to do better and the players want to do better and we’re still pushing for that. Just because we lost one game on Tuesday doesn’t mean we’re out of it, it quickly changes, win again Saturday and it changes again.
John Askey, Port Vale Manager
Leyton Orient
Manager: Ross Embleton
Form: WLDLD
Top Goal Scorer(s): Josh Wright (7 goals)
The O’s have had a mixed season so far since being promoted to League Two, finding themselves sat 20th in the table but eight points off the relegation spot.
In the reverse fixture, Leyton Orient were able to deny the Vale their first away win of the season in dramatic fashion as Jake Taylor’s 85th minute goal was cancelled out by Josh Wright in the third minute of additional time, meaning both sides will be looking for their first win over the other this season.
Ross Embleton has a new recruit at his disposal for the fixture, with Ousseynou Cissé joining the side from Gillingham on loan. Embleton will be without Jamie Turley, Jobi McAnuff and Dean Brill however as they all remain sidelined.
One to watch: Jordan Maguire-Drew
Orient’s number 10 has been their star man so far this season, with his skills down the wing, impressive delivery and set-piece specialities being central to the success of the side.
Maguire-Drew made a number of loan moves from Premier League Brighton during his time with the club, featuring for Lincoln City and Coventry City, with his most notable spell happening at Dagenham & Redbridge in 2016.
During his time with the Daggers he won their Young Player of the Season award, scoring 16 goals and bagging 15 assists. In January of 2019 he was signed by the O’s and has hit the ground running.
The midfielders ability to cut in from the left onto his right foot has helped him find the net six times and also pick up three assists so far this season.
Talk:
John Askey: “I won’t be satisfied until we achieve something, I’m not satisfied with mid-table I want to do better, it might not be possible this season but you’ve still got to aim for the top and that’s how the players should be, and if we’re not winning games we’re not happy.”
Ross Embleton: “It is really important for us to keep improving small margins and build on the performance from last week and make sure we are that much more solid.”
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.