Port Vale are on their travels this weekend as they make the trip south to face Swindon Town in Sky Bet League Two Action. A win would make it three in their last three outings.
Fixture: Swindon Town vs Port Vale
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday 16th March 2019
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Venue: The Energy Check County Ground
Referee: Darren Drysdale
Port Vale
Form: LLDLLLLDWW
League Position: 21st
Top Scorer: Tom Pope (11 goals)
John Askey will be looking to make it three wins in his last three games this afternoon as Vale make the trip to Swindon Town. Wins over Mansfield Town and Yeovil Town have the Valiants sitting 10 points clear of the drop zone as they look to carry on in the same vein against the Robins today.
Vale captain Tom Pope remains a doubt for the fixture having missed the Valiants' last two games. Pope picked up a knee injury a few weeks back and Askey has admitted the skipper has had an injection to aid the injury, but will face a late decision as to whether he can play or not.
Pope's injury aside, Askey faces no new injury problems as his Vale squad remain fit. Having gone with the same team for the last two games, could we see the boss field the same 11 for the third game in a row?
"But obviously, those two wins have given the club a massive lift. Although it's only two wins, it makes the job of staying up a lot easier."
- John Askey, Manager
Swindon Town
Form: WDWLWWDWLL
League Position: 13th
Top Scorer: Michael Doughty (11 goals)
The Robins head into this afternoon's league fixture off the back of two straight defeats and will be looking to amend their poor league form at Vale Park this afternoon. The recent losses to Stevenage and Carlisle United have Swindon sitting in 13th place.
In terms of injuries, Richie Wellens has been boosted by the return of Danny Rose who has the missed the past five weeks through injury. The midfielder hasnt played since February the 9th when he picked up a torn calf against MK Dons.
However, top goal scorer Michael Doughty will remain unavailable having not fully recovered from a hamstring issue picked up weeks ago. With a game in-hand of a number of teams above them, the Robins will be looking for a win to leapfrog a number of their close rivals.
One to watch: Marc Richards
Richards is a prolific goal scorer who enjoyed many years in a Port Vale shirt, racking up over 180 appearances for the Burslem outfit.
His career began in 2000 when he signed his first professional contract with Blackburn Rovers. Over the years, Richards has gone on to represent a plethora of clubs across the Football League; Odham Athletic, Swansea City, Barnsley and Northampton Town to name a few.
In 2007, Richards signed for Port Vale where he would stay until 2012. He scored a total of 75 goals in a Vale shirt.
Richards joined Swindon Town in 2018 and has contributed to three goals and one assist so far this season and will certainly be one to look out for this afternoon.
Talk
John Askey: "From the club's point of view a win would be massive. Another step closer to securing league football.
"But it would keep the confidence of the players going. I just hope they can keep doing what they're doing - it's all based around hard work and closing down the opposition and that's what we've got to continue to do."
Richie Wellens: “We seem to be playing against everyone who runs into a little bit of form – it’s about us, we’re at home.
"I want high energy, back to where it was against Colchester, all around the pitch. I want three points and in these two home games it’s an opportunity to get six points.
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 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.