Form (last six): D-L-D-W-L-L
2002/03 Finish: League; Second Division: 17th
FA Cup: First Round
League Cup: First Round
2002/03 Top Scorer: Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
2002/03 Discipline: 66 yellow, 4 red
2003/04 Top Scorer: Steven McPhee – 8 goals
Even though this article is introducing tomorrow’s opponents, I would just like to divert your attention away from the Port Vale match and towards the Premiership. Just take a look towards the upper end of the table where you will see the regular famous five [Arsenal, Manchester United,
Well now take a look through these big name teams with players that follow suit and you will find the not-so-famous four – these being your Charlton,
When you look at this
Now may I shift your attention back to Port Vale and I think that you’ll agree that Port Vale and Fulham share two similarities in that – other than playing in the same colours – they both have grounds barely fit for the third division and both have emerged as their respective league’s surprise packages – after both having been in their respective driving seats in the early stages of the campaign before a distinct lack in form allowed both sides to slip to seventh in their leagues.
The month of October has proven to be a tricky one for the Valiants as they hit a rough patch – chalking up only 4 points from the possible 18 up for grabs and then to start the month of November off, they slipped up at Saltergate – losing 1-0 to Chesterfield – and then being held to a 2-2 draw against the humble, Ford United.
So Notts will be hoping to capitalise on this poor run of form if they are to look to send Vale’s early run of form into just another statistic.
The match reunites Vale manager, Brian Horton, with two of his former employees whilst at
As we peek over the Port Vale metaphorical fence, it is clear to see that their squad is not without its ‘good’ players. One of these good players being the club’s Young Player of the Year award for last season, Billy Paynter.
This youngster burst onto the scene for Vale in May 2001, making his debut in the Second Division 2-0 defeat at home to
***Star Player*** - Steven McPhee
First and foremost, McPhee is chasing a Valiants record set almost 40 years ago as he looks to equal John Rowland’s record of scoring in six consecutive games for Vale – a feat which Notts will be fighting against as, hopefully, he’ll get greedy and have no intentions of looking up – and should he fail, I for one won’t argue if the chance to be remembered goes to his head and he forgets his responsibilities.
Secondly, McPhee suffered a worrying goal drought last season as his tally shrouded his skilful performances somewhat as he only notched up 3 goals last term. Thankfully for the Vale faithful, McPhee is back on goal scoring form this season – almost trebling last season’s tally, scoring eight goals in seventeen league appearances.
The former
***Worth a Flutter?*** - with William Hill bookmakers
Port Vale – 8/11
Draw – 12/5