No small achievement either, to be the first team to take points from them as well deserves all the credit that has been given over the last week. “I’ve been reading on the forums this week about what a shrewd move it was to sign Darrell Clarke on a five-year contract because it surely cannot be long before a bigger club comes knocking for him. “Be under no illusion, this is the last thing I want to happen with the turn around since he has been manager. No true Vale fan would have ever believed a club that was on the verge of going out of the Football League under the Smurthwaite regime, could be a club challenging at the top half of League One. “So, what is this all down to? Is it just Clarke or is there more to it than that? Pound for pound Clarke has one of the best records of any manager in the Football League over the last eight seasons.
Typical to win against teams riding high on the crest of a wave but just as typical to get beaten by a struggler on a desperate losing run. “I think those of us who’ve followed this club for a very long time have seen it so often over the years that we hardly raise an eyebrow when it happens. Nevertheless, from all accounts it was a fully deserved three points to the Valiants. “I think most of our fans will acknowledge that we’re ticking along nicely at the moment clocking up some good results and probably exceeding expectations as we currently stand ninth the league.
RIP | John ConnaughtonEveryone associated with Port Vale FC is saddened to learn of the death of our former goalkeeper John Connaughton. Born Patrick John Connaughton in Wigan in September 1949, he began his career at Manchester United and also played for Halifax and Torquay United on loan, before signing for Sheffield United. John joined the Vale in May 1974 and soon became the regular number one and his performances earned him the Supporters’ Player of the Year award for the 1974/75 season. He helped the club reach the 5th Round of the FA Cup in 1976/77 and hardly missed a game in his first four years.
Three promotions in his last six full seasons is nothing to be overlooked. “It seems the one thing at the moment that plays into our hands is that the big boys in the Premier League and the Championship seem intent on big names with great playing CVs but with very little management experience. For instance Vincent Kompany and Michael Carrick. “So, what does he do that is so different? He has started more than 28 different players this season, rarely starting the same team week in week out. The talk amongst the fans may be that he has no idea who his best eleven is, but maybe that is his secret, the not knowing. Or, maybe it’s the fact he takes it one game at a time, and plays the best team to win the next match, and not looking any further than that.
" Vale overcame Morecambe on Boxing Day for a third win in four matches. They are just three points outside the play-off places and are enjoying a fine campaign in what is their first year at this level since 2017. "They got promoted last year and we got a scrappy 1-0 win down there earlier this season, " said Moore. "I expect another tough game at S6 but we go into it in a positive frame of mind and we come into it now 11 without loss. I'm really, really pleased with that but we have to be ready for this next game now. " READ MORE: All the latest Wednesday news Five free agents Wednesday could target ahead of January Moore entering pivotal period as he closes in on milestone Wednesday handed Reece James boost ahead of January Moore provides update on Iorfa, Gregory and Wilks Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.
WHAT’S YOUR PREDICTION AND WHY? Ian Woodward: “Vale should be full of confidence following their victory at Plymouth, whilst I note Rovers are also in decent form, having lost just once in their last ten league outings. “Whether folks love or loathe their manager, Joey Barton, Rovers are a decent footballing side and they certainly impressed me when they took the three points on their visit to Vale Park back in April. I’d expect there to be a few goals in this one, but I think we’re capable of getting something. I’ll say, Rovers 2 Vale 2. ” Read More: Darrell Clarke talks Port Vale campaign, improvements and Bristol Rovers Read More: 'Earned the right' - Praise for Port Vale youngsters as they wait for FA Youth Cup draw Scott Lingard: “This match could prove a tough trip.
Vale kept Mannion very busy in the first half, and just 10 minutes before the interval he was forced into a brilliant stop with his feet to divert Ben Garrity’s effort from close range away from danger. From that smart stop, the hosts broke up the other end, with Jack Lankester firing just over the bar after a sweeping move, their first meaningful chance of the match. Seconds before the break, Tom Conlon connected brilliantly with the ball when it fell to him 25 yards from goal, and it took a United body to prevent the strike from troubling the keeper.
Port Vale fans talk top six, Bristol Rovers and Darrell ClarkePort Vale return to action this weekend when they are away to Bristol Rovers. Pondering a potential challenge for the play-offs and Darrell Clarke’s record is our fans’ panel of Ian Woodward, from Congleton, and Scott Lingard, from Sneyd Green.
Cambridge United vs Port Vale on 22 Oct 22 - Match CentrePaul Digby’s own goal ensured the Valiants won on the road for the second time in as many away games down at the Abbey Stadium against Cambridge United. Vale got the breakthrough with just over 10 minutes to go after Will Forrester broke from centre-back to put a ball into the box from the right-hand side, which Digby turned into his own net. Darrell Clarke made five changes from the 2-2 draw with Forest Green Rovers last Saturday, with Mipo Odubeko coming into the side to lead the line alongside Gavin Massey. Connor Hall, David Worrall, Tom Pett, and Mal Benning all also made their way into the starting 11 in Cambridgeshire, showing Vale’s strength in depth.
Former Chelsea, Sheffield United and Huddersfield keeper could fit the bill for Port Vale Port Vale are being linked with former Huddersfield keeper Jamal Blackman
as they look to strengthen their squad for the new League
Pett was the first to have an attempt on the Cambridge goal, firing a shot over the bar from just outside the box, after Worrall set it up nicely for him with his head. In the 10th minute, Massey had a great chance to give the Vale the lead when Odubeko set our number 19 through on goal, but unfortunately, William Mannion did well to tip his well-struck shot over the bar. Odubeko then created a chance for himself, firing a low effort from 20 yards out which he saw tipped onto the post by Mannion. Only moments later, the U’s keeper was called into action once again when he had to hold on to a Massey shot from distance. Unfortunately for the Valiants, just 23 minutes into the contest, they saw their own keeper Jack Stevens forced off with a knee injury, with last season’s star man in goal, Aiden Stone, coming on for the 25-year-old.
Despite having those blips on our travels to Exeter, Peterborough and Oxford we’re just a draw away from reaching that thirty point mark as we head into the festive programme and reach the halfway point which puts us in a decent position for the second half of the season. “Could we even do a “Wycombe”and break into that top six? Whilst Plymouth, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday have broken clear of the pack, and there’s admittedly a few big clubs with more resources than us amongst the contenders, it’s certainly possible and with the transfer window re- opening in the New Year, who knows? I’ve no doubt Gareth Ainsworth’s 10th placed Wycombe are aiming to be there yet again, so why can’t we? ” Scott Lingard: “What a great win that was last week at top of the table Plymouth.
Darren Moore throws down the gauntlet to Sheffield Wednesday starsSheffield Wednesday welcome Port Vale to Hillsborough on Thursday night as they complete their league schedule for 2022. It presents a chance for the Owls to bring the curtain down on a 12-month period that has seen them amass more points than any other side in the top four divisions of English football. A win against the Valiants will see Wednesday end the year with a whopping 97 points. Boss Darren Moore is desperate for another win as his side aims to keep pace with the two sides directly above them - Plymouth and Ipswich.
Peterborough United vs Port Vale on 24 Sep 22 - Match Centre Match Report | Peterborough United 3 – 0 Port Vale; League One top scorer
Jonson Clarke-Harris scores double to hand hosts all three
League One 2022/23 fixtures, dates and schedule: Derby vs Oxford and Sheffield Wednesday vs Portsmouth on opening weekendDerby County, who were handed a 21-point deduction last season, will host Oxford United on the opening day of the 2022/23 League One campaign, which starts earlier than usual on the final weekend of July. Beaten play-off finalists Wycombe Wanderers will entertain Burton Albion on July 30, while Sheffield Wednesday, who were also involved in an unsuccessful play-off campaign, will play Portsmouth.
In full: All the 2022/23 League One fixturesDownload the Sky Sports AppGet Sky SportsPeterborough and Barnsley, who both dropped out of the Championship after finishing 22nd and 24th respectively last term, begin with away fixtures. The Posh will travel to Cheltenham while Barnsley start at Plymouth Argyle. Last season's League Two champions Forest Green Rovers start by facing fellow third tier newcomers Bristol Rovers - currently managed by Joey Barton - while MK Dons, who missed out on the automatic promotion spots by one point in 2021/22, kick off against Cambridge United. In full: All the 2022/23 Championship fixturesIn full: All the 2022/23 League Two fixturesLeague One fixtures will continue as planned throughout the Qatar World Cup in December, including scheduled ties on Boxing Day, although games will be subject to postponement depending on player involvement in the tournament.
Live on Sky Sports: EFL fixtures announced for late January including Burnley vs West Brom, Sunderland vs Middlesbrough January 14: Rotherham United vs Blackburn Rovers, kick-off 12.30pm ;
January 16: Port Vale vs Peterborough United, kick-off 8pm ; January
Read more: Owls handed transfer boost as Moore confirms James situation Speaking ahead of the clash with Darrell Clarke's men, Moore said: "I want us to keep up the tempo and be on the front foot. I want us to create chances because, as I keep saying, we've got the personnel to score so we have to keep on top of that. "We were a lot better against Fleetwood (on Boxing Day) than we were against Exeter or Oxford but what we have to do is build on top of that and keep the momentum going. I was pleased in my 100th game for the club to get the three points but we now look to this final game of the year. "We've amassed 94 points for the year and we'll see how we go against Port Vale but it would be nice to finish the year in a positive manner.
Argyle Friday night fixture against Port Vale a home sell-outAll available tickets for the Green Army have been sold for Plymouth Argyle's League One fixture against Port Vale tomorrow night. It means there will be a sixth successive 15, 000-plus attendance for a Pilgrims' league game, which is the first time that has happened in a single season this century. The match was moved to Friday night to avoid a potential clash with an England last 16 tie at the World Cup in Qatar at 3pm on Saturday had they finished as group runners-up. However, with England winning their group after beating Wales 3-0 on Tuesday they will not be in action until 7pm on Sunday, when the Three Lions take on Senegal. An Argyle statement issued this morning read as follows: "Friday's game against Port Vale at Home Park is a sell-out for home supporters.
Darren Moore throws down the gauntlet to Sheffield Wednesday stars ahead of Port Vale clash Sheffield Wednesday welcome Port Vale to Hillsborough on Thursday night
the three points but we now look to this final game of the
This is one week earlier than the 2021/22 campaign started, and means teams will have a 12-week break between the seasons. However, the Championship will take a break in the middle of the season to accommodate a winter World Cup for the first time. As a result, the fixtures taking place over the weekend of November 12/13 will be the final ones before players who are called up by their countries for the tournament travel to Qatar. The Championship will then resume on Saturday December 10, eight days before the World Cup final, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday December 18. League One and League Two will continue as planned throughout the tournament, though fixtures may be postponed depending on player involvement in the World Cup.
The final games of the season will take place on May 6. The opening weekend gamesHere's the first round of fixtures for the 2022/23 EFL season: Accrington Stanley vs Charlton AthleticBristol Rovers vs Forest Green RoversCambridge United vs Milton Keynes DonsCheltenham Town vs Peterborough UnitedDerby County vs Oxford UnitedIpswich Town vs Bolton WanderersLincoln City vs Exeter CityMorecambe vs Shrewsbury TownPlymouth Argyle vs BarnsleyPort Vale vs Fleetwood TownSheffield Wednesday vs PortsmouthWycombe Wanderers vs Burton AlbionOpening Sky Sports live fixtures in fullBoxing Day scheduleThe clashes lined up for December 26:Accrington Stanley vs BarnsleyBolton Wanderers vs Derby CountyBurton Albion vs Lincoln CityCambridge United vs Shrewsbury TownCharlton Athletic vs Peterborough UnitedCheltenham Town vs Plymouth ArgyleExeter City vs PortsmouthFleetwood Town vs Sheffield WednesdayIpswich Town vs Oxford UnitedMilton Keynes Dons vs Forest Green RoversPort Vale vs MorecambeWycombe Wanderers vs Bristol RoversThe final weekend gamesWhich of these games will be pivotal on May 6 2022? Barnsley vs Peterborough UnitedBristol Rovers vs Bolton WanderersBurton Albion vs Milton Keynes DonsCambridge United vs Forest Green RoversCheltenham Town vs Charlton AthleticExeter City vs MorecambeFleetwood Town vs Ipswich TownLincoln City vs Shrewsbury TownOxford United vs Accrington StanleyPort Vale vs Plymouth ArgylePortsmouth vs Wycombe WanderersSheffield Wednesday vs Derby CountyYour club's EFL fixture listLeague One:Accrington Stanley fixturesBarnsley fixturesBolton fixturesBristol Rovers fixturesBurton fixturesCambridge fixturesCharlton fixturesCheltenham fixturesDerby fixturesExeter fixturesFleetwood fixturesForest Green fixturesIpswich fixturesLincoln fixturesMK Dons fixturesMorecambe fixturesOxford fixturesPeterborough fixturesPlymouth fixturesPort Vale fixturesPortsmouth fixturesSheffield Wednesday fixturesShrewsbury fixturesWycombe fixturesChampionship:Birmingham City fixturesBlackburn fixturesBlackpool fixturesBristol City fixturesBurnley fixturesCardiff fixturesCoventry fixturesHuddersfield fixturesHull fixturesLuton fixturesMiddlesbrough fixturesMillwall fixturesNorwich fixturesPreston fixturesQPR fixturesReading fixturesRotherham fixturesSheffield United fixturesStoke fixturesSunderland fixturesSwansea fixturesWatford fixturesWest Brom fixturesWigan fixturesLeague Two:AFC Wimbledon fixturesBarrow fixturesBradford fixturesCarlisle fixturesColchester fixturesCrawley fixturesCrewe fixturesDoncaster fixturesGillingham fixturesGrimsby fixturesHarrogate fixturesHartlepool fixturesLeyton Orient fixturesMansfield fixturesNewport fixturesNorthampton fixturesRochdale fixturesSalford fixturesStevenage fixturesStockport fixturesSutton fixturesSwindon fixturesTranmere fixturesWalsall fixturesKey dates for the 2022/23 seasonThe Championship, League One and League Two seasons will begin on the weekend of July 30.
Stoke City vs Sheffield United TV channel, live stream and how to watch Championship And having found their resilience, Neil will be hoping the Potters can now
locate some decent home form having won just one of their