Walsall vs Port Vale: Inside track on the Saddlers' League Two opponents

We spoke to Mike Baggaley, Vale reporter at The Sentinel, to get the inside track on the Saddlers’ opponents.

What’s been the story of Port Vale’s season so far?

A very positive one. The club has been through some grim times, relegation from League One in 2016/17 and then battles just to stay in the Football League for the last two years.

But there was a major change last May when Carol and Kevin Shanahan, who own Burslem-based IT company Synectics Solutions, bought the club and ground. Former owner Norman Smurthwaite had been the subject of supporter protests but the new owners are extremely popular.

Manager John Askey had taken charge in February 2019, following Neil Aspin’s resignation. He made sure Vale stayed up and has transformed them into a team in with a chance of making the play-offs.

Askey grew up in Milton, only three miles from Vale Park, was on Vale’s books as a YTS player and is the son of Vale hero Colin Askey. Colin was part of the Vale side that reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1953/54 and later played for Walsall.

The home form has been excellent with just one league defeat at Vale Park – to Walsall. Vale were tenth for 63 days before their run of 13 points from the last five games culminating in Saturday’s 3-0 win at home to Colchester, arguably their best performance of the season. That’s lifted them to sixth and left us dreaming of the club’s first appearance in the play-offs since 1993.

How does Askey like his team to play?

He likes to play a 4-3-3 with Luke Joyce in front of the back four and then two attacking midfielders, probably Tom Conlon and Scott Burgess, given licence to get forward. He’s stuck with that system for most of the season and believes having a consistent style of play has made it easier for squad players to fit into the team when called upon.

Who are the dangermen to Walsall?

Dave Worrall is probably favourite for player of the season having been outstanding playing either on the right or left of the front three. That said, keeper Scott Brown – an ardent Wolves fan – has maintained the form that saw him sweep the board at last season’s awards. Experienced centre half and captain Leon Legge is also having a fine season.

What’s the mood like among Port Vale fans at the moment?

Buoyant. Most fans I have spoken to would have been quite happy with a mid-table finish this season. So to be in a play-off place at this stage is a pleasant surprise.

There’s plenty of interest in this game and Vale asked for an extra 900 tickets after selling out their initial 1,400 allocation.

However, older fans are well aware that Walsall away is traditionally a bogey fixture for the Vale. They once went 114 years with only one league win there – although that record has improved a bit in recent years.

Any injuries and the likely team and formation?

At time of writing it looks like John Askey will have the option of naming an unchanged side. However, he does have options as right back James Gibbons and striker Tom Pope are both available, after suspension, while midfielder Jake Taylor and winger David Amoo could be back in the squad after injury.

If Askey sticks with the team that beat Colchester it will be (4-3-3) Brown; Smith, Brisley, Legge, Montano; Joyce, Burgess, Conlon; Worrall, Cullen, Browne.

Match prediction?

I’ll go for a 2-2 draw that will keep us all on the edge of our seats.