The Valiants return home on Saturday as we welcome Exeter City to Vale Park.
The Valiants come into the game off the back of a midweek defeat against Peterborough United. However, the Valiants will be buoyed by our last home fixture where we ran our 2-0 winners against Bristol Rovers.
Gaffer's Thoughts
Here’s what Darren Moore had to say following Tuesday’s loss:
“It was a difficult night for us. Despite all that, my team talk just changed with that goal right on the stroke of half time.”
“Had we got to half-time with the scores level, I just think it brings a little bit of anarchy around the place and forces them to throw caution to the wind. But us going a goal down just gives them a breather and gives us a mountain to climb in the second half.”
Vale’s manager also looks ahead to Saturday’s fixture at Vale Park:
“We can’t dwell too much on this. It was our game plan to put a little bit of daylight between us and the bottom teams but we haven’t so we move on to Saturday.
“It is going to be nip and tuck all the way to the end of the season. We know every game counts. We are disappointed but this game has gone now and we have to quickly move on to Saturday and make sure we respond in the right way.”
The Opposition
After a rough start to their League One campaign, Exeter have done a great job of turning things around and getting themselves out of the bottom four and comfortably into mid-table in the league.
The Grecians come into the game on an eight-game unbeaten run which has seen them win four and draw four. Most recently they drew 2-2 against Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road. Despite being 2-0 down in the 88th minute, Exeter came back brilliantly and goals from Millenic Ali and a 92nd-minute equaliser from Tom Carroll earned them a point in the capital.
Who’s in Charge?
They are managed for experienced EFL defender Gary Caldwell who arrived at the club in October 2022. Caldwell guided the Grecians to a comfortable finish last year as they finished in 14th place in League One in their first season back in League One since getting promoted.
Despite a tough start to season, Caldwell has turned it around and guided his side to a midtable spot in what has been a good season for The Grecians. In his 84 games at the helm, he has won 28, drawn 19 and lost 37.
Player to Watch - Reece Cole
The 26-year-old attacking midfielder is the Grecians leading scoring with seven goals in his 37 games this season. Cole signed from SPFL Championship side Dunfermline Athletic in the summer and has enjoyed a good season for the League One side.
Another player to keep an eye out for is centre Tom Carroll. The former Spurs midfielder also signed for the club in the summer and has used his experience to help drag his side out of a relegation battle. His last-minute leveller last weekend helped his side come back from 2-0 goals down to earn a point at Leyton Orient.
Last Time We Met
Port Vale 1-0 Exeter City, Saturday 9th December 2023
When the sides met earlier in the season, it was the Valiants who came away with all three points at St James’ Park.
The hosts had the first effort of the game when a deep cross found its way to the back post where Harry Kite was, but his effort towards goal was well blocked by Connor Ripley.
The only goal of the game came just before the half-hour mark. Tom Sang’s cross was flicked on by Ben Garrity into the path of Ollie Arblaster who was on hand to fire home from close range to put his side ahead.
In the second half, Jack Aitchinson had a great chance to level the scores when he got on the end of a through ball but just as he shot Jason Lowe slid across to make a fantastic last-ditch block before Ripley saved the rebound to ensure his side went back to Vale Park with all three points.
