The Valiants are back on the road as we head south to face Luton Town at Kenilworth Road
Over 1,000 Vale fans will make the over 200-mile round trip to watch their team play on Saturday.
Press Conference Takeaways
Here’s what the gaffer had to say about Saturday's trip to Luton:
“Every game we’ve prepared in as much detail to go after games and take games.
“We’re trying to work harder, so that when the moments do come that we create, we take them.”
Our Opponents
Not so long ago, Luton Town were plying their trade in the Premier League. Four promotions in the space of nine years meant that Luton became one of the few teams to go from the National League to the Premier League. However, since then, the Hatters have suffered back-to-back relegations and now find themselves back in League One.
Luton currently sit in seventh position in the league, just three points behind the play-off spots. Saturday's hosts had a decent start to the season, but going into October began to dip in form. Since the end of October, Luton's run of form has seen them climb the table and put themselves in promotion contention. The hosts come into this weekend's clash following a 1-1 draw away at Leyton Orient.
The Opposition Dugout
Jack Wilshere is the man in charge of the Hatters. The former Arsenal midfielder was appointed manager in October this year, following the tenure of Matt Bloomfield. This is Wilshere's first professional managerial role after he had a spell at Norwich City as their assistant manager. Prior to this, Wilshere was in charge of the Arsenal U18s manager for just over two years. Since his appointment, Jack has won six of his twelve games in charge.
The former England international actually began his youth career with his current employers, but moved on to Arsenal’s Academy in the early 2000s. He would spend the majority of his playing career in North London, making close to 200 appearances for the Gunners, winning two FA Cups and a Community Shield in the process. Wilshere has 34 England caps to his name, scoring on two of those occasions.
Player to Watch
A player to keep an eye on at the weekend is midfielder George Saville. George is one of Luton’s highest-performing players up to this point in the season, claiming three assists and scoring once. Not only this, George has created the most chances for his side and also won 90% of his aerial duels in the centre of the park.
Fixture Throwback
Luton Town 1-3 Port Vale, 9th August 2008
The last time Vale picked up three points at Kenilworth Road was back in 2008 on the opening day of the season.
After withstanding some early pressure from the hosts, Louis Dodds struck home from the edge of the box to give the Valiants the lead. However, just ten minutes later, Luton were level. A corner swung into the box was met by Sam Perkin, whose header found the back of the net.
On the stroke of half-time, Vale retook the lead. A low cross into the box found Rob Taylor at the back post, who beat the defender to the ball and prodded the ball home into an empty net. Marc Richards secured all three points for Vale just shy of the hour mark. The forward received the ball in the box, turned, and fired an effort off the crossbar and into the net.
