Away to Bournemouth

There’s no two ways about it, this is a big game for us and in particular manager Martin Foyle.

There have been very few positives to our start of the season which has seen us draw one and lose two of our opening three league matches. Add to that our Carling Cup defeat at home to Wrexham and its easy to understand why there is considerable pressure on Foyle from The Vale faithful. Last Saturdays jaw-droppingly inept performance against Hartlepool can not be repeated.

We need three points, but more than that we need to see a big performance from The Vale.

Martin Foyle Says…

‘They’ve got to stand up and be counted’. Talking to BBC Radio Stoke Foyle came out with the usual manager cliches, adding that he may wear his lucky suit again, as it brought us a 4-0 victory when we visited Dean Court last season.

Bournemouth Team News:

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Player to watch: Joe Kuffour

click for Joe Kuffour Profile

Port Vale Team News:

Akpo Sodje has gone to Sheff Wed for £250,000. Expect to see Luke Rodgers and Marc Richards starting as the front two.

Defender Ashley Westwood has come in on loan until Christmas from Chester. The 31-year-old can play at centre-half and right back and may come straight into the team.

No injury problems, but its anyone’s guess what the starting eleven will be. Foyle clearly doesn’t know what his best eleven is.

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Player to watch: Luke Rodgers

Luke was surprisingly dropped to the bench for last weekend’s shambles at home to Hartlepool but has vowed to fight for his place. With Akpo leaving today a starting place is surely guaranteed.

Last Season…

Vale strolled to a 4-0 win in last season’s visit to Dean Court, a game noted for 57-year-old Steve Claridge making his debut for Bournemouth. It didn’t really work out.

Match Prediction:

Bournemouth 1-1 The Valiants

Next Fixture:

Saturday 8th September Walsall (a)