Vale return to Vale Park this weekend as Charlton Athletic travel to Burslem for Sky Bet League One action.
This weekend’s visitors currently sit in 11th position, whilst Vale are four positions below them in 15th in the table.
This is the first clash between the sides in five years, so before the two face off this weekend here is some pre-match reading.
The view from Andy Crosby:
“I think this group of players has had setbacks before and has always responded in the right way,” said our Assistant Manager, Andy Crosby.
“That comes down to the mentality of the group and the culture that we have built around the place.
“It is a game we are looking forward to on the back of a disappointing performance last week and an even more disappointing result.
“Playing against one of the big boys in the league gives a real chance to get back to doing the basics really well and making ourselves harder to beat.”
Opposition Boss' thoughts:
Ben Garner said: “They’re a highly-competitive team with great energy and great desire – that’s a key part of how they play.
“They’ll look to press; they’ll look to be on the front foot, and they’ll look to make life as uncomfortable as possible for us.
“It’s a difficult place to go and a tough team to play against, for sure.
“We’re going to have to do very well-off restarts – there will be a lot of long throws and set pieces in terms of what they’ll be looking to do.”
Fixture Flashback:
Sky Bet League One, Vale Park, Tuesday 18th October 2016: Port Vale 1-1 Charlton Athletic
We travel back to the last season we faced the Addicks at Vale Park, the 2016/17 campaign and a late penalty from Alex Jones secured a point for the Valiants.
Charlton took the lead after half an hour when Frederik Ulvestad poked home past Jak Alnwick after Rickey Holmes cut back the ball for the forward.
Vale got their equaliser with just five minutes to go after Jones was impeded in the area, and they were awarded a penalty.
Jones then stepped up himself to slam home from the spot, and add to his tally for the season, a campaign in which he ended top scorer for the Valiants on 10 goals.
We fashioned many chances in the second half before we got our leveller, and the Valiants nearly netted through Rigino Cicilia when he headed Sam Hart’s cross over the bar.
Unfortunately, the point would not help Vale in the long run as we were eventually relegated to League Two, but we are back now and will be searching for victory on Saturday.
Last Time Out (League):
Sky Bet League One, Pirelli Stadium, Saturday 12th November 2022: Burton Albion 3-3 Charlton Athletic
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi scored a brilliant lob to secure a point for Charlton Athletic away at Burton Albion, as the two sides played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Pirelli Stadium.
Two goals from Charlie Kirk put the visitors in front, but the Brewers looked set for victory after goals from Deji Oshilaja, Tom Hamer and Victor Adeboyejo turned it around for them.
However, with just under 15 minutes to go, Charlton’s loanee starlet netted for the away side to ensure they came away from Staffordshire with a point.
Kirk struck for the hosts to put them ahead after 26 minutes when he received the ball from Ryan Inniss before dispatching a strike into the bottom corner.
The forward added his and the Addicks’ second goal 10 minutes later, lobbing Viljami Sinisalo after Craig MacGillivray’s clearance had put him through.
It didn’t take Albion long to respond though, and through the former Charlton defender Oshilaja, they got a goal back, with the centre-half netting a powerful header from Terry Taylor.
The equaliser then came just before halftime in brilliant fashion after Tyler Onyango and Adeboyejo worked together brilliantly to set up Hamer to fire home.
Burton came out firing in the second half firing, then grabbing their third goal, and what they thought was the winner, 13 minutes after the break.
Adeboyejo was the goal scorer, thundering in a spectacular effort from outside the area, his 10th goal of the season.
Burton looked set for victory, but Rak-Sakyi had other ideas when he latched onto a brilliant Chuks Aneke to loft a finish over the Albion keeper, sending the Addicks away end wild.
A brilliant match petered out, and Charlton now moves their focus onto facing us on Saturday afternoon.
Addicks’ Team news:
Charlton have a lengthy list of absentees, including their manager, Garner, who will be serving the first of his two-match touchline ban.
Players wise they will be without both goalkeepers Joe Wollacott and Craig MacGillivray, meaning Ashley Maynard-Brewer will deputise in goal after being recalled from his loan spell at Gillingham.
Many other players will be missing from the Addicks squad, including Mandela Egbo, Eoghan O’Connell, Terell Thomas, Conor McGrandles, Diallang Jaiyesimi, and Miles Leaburn.
Form: DWWWD
29/10/22: Charlton Athletic 4-4 Ipswich Town, Sky Bet League One
02/11/22: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Brighton and Hove Albion U21, Papa Johns Trophy
05/11/22: Charlton Athletic 4-1 Coalville Town, FA Cup first round
08/11/22: Stevenage 1(4)-1(5) Charlton Athletic*, Carabao Cup third round
12/11/22: Burton Albion 3-3 Charlton Athletic, Sky Bet League One
*Charlton won 5-4 on penalties