Vale v Barnet Preview

Despite a traumatic week at Vale Park which has seen a fiery AGM, a resignation from the board and uncertainty over the future of Micky Adams, Vale face an important a game on Saturday as they seek to return to winning ways after a slip up at Morecambe. Vale will be hopeful of producing a vast improvement on last season`s two performances against the North London side, after turning in a particularly poor performance at Vale Park in February, resulting in a 2-0 defeat. The visitors have failed to register a victory away from home in any competition so far this season.

The Bees have since lost last season`s top scorer John O`Flynn, who joined Exeter City after rejecting the offer of a new contract to stay at Underhill. The most significant arrival has been that of Mark Stimson as manager, who replaced long time Barnet servant Ian Hendon. The former Stevenage boss is looking to rebuild his managerial reputation after a disappointing season at Gillingham last year, which led to the Kent club suffering relegation from League One.

Vale`s record so far this season against the teams towards the bottom of the division has been patchy at best. Last week`s loss to Morecambe adding to a draw at bottom side Hereford United. Micky Adams has threatened to make changes to the side that lost last week.

After the Valiants have suffered defeats on two separate occasions after claiming top spot in League Two, Vale supporters will be hoping Chesterfield suffer the same fate and that the pressure is lifted somewhat on the home side.

With another fixture on Boxing Day against a Lincoln City side that is also struggling at the wrong end of the table, Vale know nothing short of six points is required in the push for promotion.

Vital Quotes:

Vale Assistant Geoff Horsfield told the Official Site: “We have got a strong squad and we want to go into the New Year in good form. People might look at Barnet and say that we should get the three points, but we could have said that at Morecambe and it didn’t happen. No game is easy, but if Rob Taylor had have scored early on it might have been a different game. Izale McLeod is a quality player who’s played at a higher level and he will need watching closely.”

Barnet boss Mark Stimson told the Barnet Official site that spirits were high after last week`s crucial win over Accrington. “Clearly, the hope is that we can take that good result into our next match at Port Vale on Saturday. A few players were unable to train today with the bug that seems to be everywhere at the moment, but we are very hopeful that they will all be OK for Saturday.’

Port Vale Team News:

The Vale boss tends to maintain faith with a winning side, but after last week`s showing at Morecambe is changes are possible for Saturday`s match. Gareth Owen may miss out after suffering an injury during the first half of the Morecambe clash, so Lee Collins will be pressing for a recall to the starting eleven. Anthony Griffith, Louis Dodds and Lewis Haldane may all come into contention as Vale look to reclaim top spot in League Two.

Possible Team: Tomlinson, Yates, McCombe, Collins, K. Taylor, Dodds, Roberts, Loft, R. Taylor, M. Richards, J. Richards.

Player to watch: Marc Richards

The Valiants are heavily reliant on Richards` goals, and will need the former Barnsley man to continue his productive season. The 28 year old has only netted one goal in open play in his last twelve matches however.

Barnet Team News:

Mark Stimson could opt to name the side that beat Accrington last week despite a bout of sickness sweeping through the club this week. Up to five players have missed training, though are all expected to feature on Saturday.

Possible Team: Cole, Devera, Uddin, Basey, Francomb, Southam, Cox, Marshall, Kabba, Holmes, McLeod.

Player to watch: Izale McLeod

The former Charlton Athletic and MK Dons man is potentially one of League Two`s deadliest front men. The 26 year old Brummie made his name with the franchise, where he scored 54 goals in 116 appearances, leading to a £1.1 million move to South London. McLeod managed only 3 goals during his time with the Addicks and loan spells at Milwall, Colchester and Peterborough didn`t prove any more prolific. A serious knee injury has stalled his career since, but after scoring twice last week on his first start for Barnet, McLeod will pose a massive threat to the Vale defence.

Match Facts & Stats

Last Season:

Vale 0-2 Barnet (O`Flynn 8, 84)

Vale turned in a truly abysmal performance against a Barnet side that had lost their previous 10 away matches. Striker John O`Flynn scored both goals, a Vale display that left Assistant Manager Geoff Horsfield branding the players as ‘cowards`.

Barnet 0-0 Vale

The most notable moment of an otherwise forgetful encounter was Vale skipper Tommy Fraser receiving a red card for a ridiculous injury time challenge.

Last five games:

Morecambe 1-0 Vale

Vale 1-0 Accrington Stanley

Stockport County 0-5 Vale

Vale 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers

Vale 4-0 Dartford

Barnet 2-0 Accrington Stanley

Oxford United 2-1 Barnet

Barnet 1-2 Gillingham

Barnet 4-1 Northampton

Charlton Athletic 1-0 Barnet

Ref Watch:

D WEBB
P Bankes and M Duncan
Fourth Official A J Scregg

Match Prediction:

Vale edge out a scrappy affair 1-0 thanks to a goal from leading scorer Marc Richards.

Next Fixtures:

Lincoln City (H) 26/12/2010 15:00