PREVIEW - Port Vale vs Crewe Alexandra
Date - 26th August 2017
Venue - Vale Park
Preview
In Vale's second home game of the 2017/18 campaign, local rivals Crewe Alexandra make the short trip to Burslem and Michael Brown's Valiants will be hoping for a positive result.
Following the 3-1 triumph away to Crawley Town on the opening day, Vale have suffered two defeats in Sky Bet League Two against Wycombe Wanderers and Chesterfield respectively.
But, there have been some positives to take and the clash versus Crewe will provide an opportunity to bounce back.
The Opposition
Having finished 17th in Sky Bet League Two last season, the Railwaymen will be looking to improve on that this time around and they have made a steady start to the campaign.
An opening day draw with title favourites Mansfield was followed up by a defeat to Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup, but a 1-1 draw against Newport County and a 1-0 win over Barnet means the Railwaymen have acquired five points so far.
The last time the two sides met back in April 2016, Vale ran out 3-0 winners to sentence Crewe to relegation from Sky Bet League One. Louis Dodds fired in a brace before JJ Hooper finalised the scoring to earn three points; something Vale will be determined to earn this time around.
Talk
Michael Brown
“When you win them (derby games) they're special, but when you lose them they're not. That is what you play football for; you play to do well in games, and as a footballer, I wish I was out there on Saturday.
"You get local lads that are in it every day, it's obvious that they want to be successful. It's a local derby, there will be a little bit of extra atmosphere in the stadium and that makes for a fantastic occasion."
David Artell
"I know what it means to the fans and that it is a big game for everyone but I won’t be making it bigger than it is or playing it down. I want us to go there, play well and remain unbeaten. I want it to stay that way and I am sure it will be an entertaining game.
"I've never experienced the game as a manager before, and I'm sure I will get some stick as a member of the opposition but I am looking forward to the game."
Team News
Vale will be without goalkeeper Rob Lainton after he suffered a thigh injury versus Leeds United. Tyrone Barnett is edging closer to full fitness, but he won't be in contention to start this weekend.
Anton Forrester and Danny Pugh also remain sidelined with more serious injuries, but new signing David Worrall could feature after he penned a two-year deal at Vale Park.
Crewe head into the fixture with only a couple of injury concerns as George Ray and James Jones remain out of contention with back and groin problems respectively.
Zoumana Bakayogo could start, however, after featuring as a second half substitute during the Railwaymen's win over Barnet. Perry Ng is also available for selection following a suspension.
Coverage
iFollow The Vale will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, while the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feed 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.