We are unbeaten at home so far this season, and unbeaten in all Cup competitions. We’ve already knocked out a Championship team from Sheffield in this season’s Carling Cup.
When you study the above facts it can only bring you to one simple conclusion. We’ll win. Fate, destiny, fortune. Call it what you will, the writings on the wall and we’ll be contesting the 3rd round of The Carling Cup. It’s a given. The omens are there.
I discovered something interesting tonight. Did you know that an Owl has a soft plumage which permits noiseless flight? No? Well apparently it does.
Click here for the guide to Vale Park…
Tommy Fraser…
Our 21-year-old midfield general, skipper, and Grandson of ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser knows exactly what will be needed in this game. Speaking to the official Vale website Fraser had this to offer:
‘We need to get in their faces and rattle them.’
‘The crowd is going to be really important for us, the fans have been superb so far and it will be great to hear them behind us.’
Spot on Tommy, spot on…
Port Vale Team News:
Left-back Damien McCrory is back on loan from Plymouth Argyle, and has joined in time for selection. This may well mean that Kris Taylor will be given a more attacking role, and I’m all for that.
Malvin Kamara – who was with us for the second half of the 06-07 season, is back with on trial. Kamara went to Huddersfield in the summer of 2007, but wasn’t exactly pulling up trees during his two years with them. He blew hot and cold during his time at Vale Park, but right now I’d definitely like to see him back in the squad.
Some welsh bloke from Bristol Rovers whose name escapes me right now has also joined us on trial. He can play as a striker or in midfield, but worryingly seems to have spent a lot of time out on loan to non-league clubs. That doesn’t bode well at all for me.
Vital Vale line-up: (5-3-2) Martin(GK), Stockley(RB), Collins(CH),Owen(CH), McCombe(CH), McCrory(LB), Loft(M), Fraser(M), K.Taylor(M), Richards(CF), Dodds(CF).
Click here for full squad details…
Player to watch: Kris Taylor…
He has really impressed me so far this season, and with Damien McCrory joining us on loan for a month I’m sure the plan is to unleash Taylor into the midfield to add some much needed imagination and creativity.
Sheffield Wednesday Team News:
Click here for all the latest from Vital Sheff Wed…
Player to watch: Akpo Sodje…
Over on Vital Sheff Wed they seem sure that Akpo will be starting this game after returning from injury. Sodje has suffered a torrid time through injuries since joining The Owls two years ago, however, the fans still have faith in him.
He will, of course, get a big ovation from the Vale faithful if he does play any part in this tie.
Current Form…
Wednesday enjoyed a 4-0 win over Scunthorpe on Saturday, their first win of the season having lost one and drawn two of their first three games of the season. Which is precisely the same sequence as us!
Saturdays 1-0 win over Darlington wasn’t what you’d call a majestic display, or ‘good’ for that matter. We did just enough to overcome a team that has yet to register a point, and find themselves rooted at the bottom of the league.
Last time Wednesday were at Vale Park was July 2007 in a pre-season game which saw us murder them 3-0. Akpo Sodje was the star of the show for us, so Wednesday decided to buy him to teach us a lesson.
Match Prediction:
Port Vale 2-1 Sheffield Wed
Micky Adams would love us to tear Wednesday apart being a Blades fan and all that, and I think he’ll have the players pumped up, aggressive and ready for anything. As it should be.
Next Fixture…
Sat 29th Aug Hereford Utd (A) 3pm
We were superb last night and the atmosphere at Vale Park was amazing. Lets hope for a big ‘un in the 3rd!
Brilliant from Vale, Adams may well bring the good times back to Vale Park. Best night I’ve had in ages.