PREVIEW - Coventry City vs Port Vale

8 September 2017

Coventry City vs Port Vale Preview

Date - 9th September 2017

Venue - Ricoh Arena

Preview

Vale face their third trip away from home in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday afternoon as they travel down the M6 to take on Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena.

Both sides were relegated from Sky Bet League One last season and three points will be the target for both managers as they look to add to their current tallies.

Scoring goals has been an issue for the two teams thus far, with both Vale and the Sky Blues failing to find the net in the last three fixtures.

The Opposition

Following their relegation to Sky Bet League Two, Coventry City have made a mixed start to life in the fourth tier having won two, lost two and drawn one of their first five fixtures.

A convincing 3-0 home triumph over Notts County on the opening day was followed up by an away win at Grimsby, but the Sky Blues are now on a three-game winless run. As a result, they lie 10th in the division with seven points to their name.

Blackburn Rovers also knocked Mark Robins' men out of the Carabao Cup at the first time of asking, while the Checkatrade Trophy title defence got off to a stuttering start as Shrewsbury Town prevailed 3-2 at the Ricoh Arena.

Talk

Anthony de Freitas: "Previewing the clash, de Freitas said: "Firstly, it's important for us to go out and win the game.

"We have plenty of quality in the squad and some very talented players. It has been a tough start for us, but I trust my teammates and I think we will do a good job on Saturday."

Coventry City defender, Jordan Willis speaking after his side's 0-0 draw with Chesterfield: "A clean sheet away from home, you'll take that anywhere you go. We were unlucky not to score today but with a couple of home games coming up hopefully we can get the goals there.

"Defensively everyone has got a job to do and everyone is doing that. We aren't conceding many goals and hopefully when we can get one more goals will follow."

Team News

Danny Pugh and Anton Forrester remain sidelined with long term problems, but there are no fresh concerns for the Valiants. Rekeil Pyke does remain a doubt, however.

Coventry City could be without Rod McDonald as the newly recruited centre-back picked up an injury that has left him doubtful.

Ryan Haynes is also unavailable through injury and a couple of players are carrying knocks, but Mark Robins has a strong squad to select from.

Coverage

Follow The Vale will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, while the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.

There will also be build-up to the game with the official Snapchat account: officialpvfc.

Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.

Match Reports

REPORT: Coventry City 1-0 Port Vale

9 September 2017

It was 10-man Coventry City who managed to earn all three points at the Ricoh Arena, thanks to a first-half Jodi Jones strike.

Port Vale saw themselves strike the bar and have an excellent chance through Marcus Harness in the game but were unable to get an all-important equaliser.

The action started from the off as Port Vale saw much of the ball within the first five minutes. Upon his return, Tyrone Barnett tried his luck from 35-yards on a first-time volley which travelled just wide of the goal.

The Sky Blues looked to have more of the ball and saw a slight chance on eleven minutes through Peter Vincenti. Marc McNulty held the ball up well on his chest, only for the attacking midfielder to volley his effort wide.

But, Coventry opened the lead on 24 minutes as Jodi Jones put the hosts infront. The winger picked the ball up on the edge of the area and without being closed down, fired into the bottom corner. The ball curled into the corner after Rob Lainton saw his view obstructed by a defender with The Valiants finding themselves a goal down.

City looked to extend their lead and grew with confidence as the game went on. Jack Grimmer tried a speculative effort on the right-byline only for the shot to go well-over Lainton's bar.

Nathan Smith had the chance to get an equaliser for Port Vale as Barnett got on the end of the long-ball. The striker flicked it on towards Smith who couldn’t quite get there as Burge holds on 40 minutes.

Skipper, Anthony Kay, saw a grand opportunity on the stroke of half-time as his header struck the crossbar. His head dropped to his hands as the half-time whistle went to end the opening 45 minutes.

Within a minute, Michael Doyle tried his luck from range on a volley which flew well-over the bar – much to the delight of the Vale defence.

The hosts looked to continue the pressure and put Vale on more of a back foot. Scott Beavon lay off a good ball for Liam Kelly who attempted a rocket of a shot, only to whizz just wide of the goal on 48 minutes.

Lainton was forced into his real piece of action on 52 minutes as Beavon turned and struck towards the goal, forcing Laits to an excellent save.

Beavon continued to cause more issues for Michael Brown's men as he snatched onto the long ball and as Lainton rushed out, the striker poked it just wide of the goal. Lainton added to the injury list with a foot problem as Sam Hornby came on.

Vale then made their second substitution of the match as Rekeil Pyke came on for Barnett as The Valiants searched for an equaliser.

Coventry continued to press on Vale with several efforts within the next few moments. It was a frustrating period for Port Vale as they continued to search for that all-important goal.

The game was turned upside down in an instant as Rod McDonald was sent his marching orders from the referee. David Worrall looked to be clear on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat as the central defender brought him down on the edge of the area. After much debate on the 81st minute, McDonald was sent off as Vale looked to take advantage with Anthony de Freitas coming onto the field – replacing Harry Middleton.

Vale's arguably best chance of the game with five minutes to go. The ball was played through to Harness as he tried a first-time effort, only to be pushed away by Burge.

Tom Pope saw two excellent chances denied at the end of the half as the target man struck the post and then forced Burge into a fine save with seconds to play.

It was another loss for The Valiants who once again performed well but were unable to pick up a point as Luton Town await on Tuesday.

Attendance: 6951 (443 away supporters).

Coventry City Team News: Burge, Grimmer, Stokes, Willis, McDonald, Kelly, Vincenti, Doyle, McNulty (Beavon 29, Davies 82)), Jones, Andreu (Nazon 68).

Unused Subs: O'Brien, Biamou, Kelly-Evans, Maycock.

Port Vale Team News: Lainton (Hornby 60), Davis, Kay ©, Harness, Pope, Worrall, Barnett (Pyke 66), Smith, Whitfield, Gunning, Middleton (de Freitas 83).

Unused Subs: Denton, Anderson, Turner, Wilson.

Match Reports

Standings