The Valiants return to league action as they welcome Wycombe Wanderers to ST6, in the second part of a Vale Park triple header
Darren Moore’s side comes into Saturday's Sky Bet League One game against Wycombe following Tuesday night's Vertu Trophy game with Fleetwood. The game finished 3-3, and Vale would unfortunately fall to a defeat on penalties, but still progress as group winners.
Post Fleetwood Thoughts
Here’s what the gaffer had to say about Tuesday's game:
“It was minutes in legs for players that hadn’t played for a while, so really good. I thought it was a good game considering that both teams had already qualified for the next round.”
Press Conference Takeaways
The Gaffer's thoughts ahead of the Wycombe clash:
“They have good individual players and a great squad. Michaels found a system that works and they’re in good form.”
“It’s opposition we want to go up against, it’s a game the team knows they will have to be at their level best to compete in.”
Our Opponents
The Buckinghamshire-based outfit has been in League One since their relegation from the Championship in 2021. Their spell in the second tier was a short one, as they only spent one season in the division before returning to League One. The Chairboys came agonisingly close to avoiding relegation that season, finishing one point behind Derby County.
Wycombe did reach the Play-Offs last season, but fell short to Charlton Athletic, who would eventually go on to gain promotion to the Championship.
Saturday's visitors currently sit in 14th position in the league. They had a poor start to the season, not managing to win their first league game until early September when they beat Mansfield. Since then, Michael Duff's side have only lost two of their next nine fixtures, making them the most in-form side in the league.
The Opposition Dugout
Michael Duff was appointed manager of Wycombe in mid-September following the sacking of Mike Dodds after only seven months in charge. Since his appointment, Duff has won eight of his twelve matches, achieving an impressive win rate of 67%. Prior to his current job, the Northern Irish man had spells at Huddersfield, Swansea, Barnsley and Cheltenham.
Before Michael became a manager, he had a playing career that lasted over twenty years, making over 400 appearances with the majority of those coming with Burnley. During his time at the Clarets, the former centre-back won the Championship and then went on to make 32 appearances in the Premier League. He also made 24 appearances for his country.
Player to Watch
A player for the Vale Park crowd to keep an eye on is winger, Fred Onyedinma. The wide player is Wycombe’s top scorer this season with five goals, whilst also contributing with two assists.
Despite being a winger, Fred has won 96% of his aerial duels up to this point, providing a threat from set pieces. The Nigerian is already close to matching his tally of six goals from last season. In his side's last league game against Leyton Orient, Fred scored two goals to help his side come out 4-1 victors.
Fixture Throwback
Port Vale 4-1 Wycombe Wanderers, 20th October 2012
The last time Vale beat Wycombe at Vale Park was in 2012 under Micky Adams, in a game which saw five goals and a red card.
The visitors were awarded a penalty with twenty minutes on the clock after John McCombe was deemed to have fouled his man. Joel Grant stepped up to take the penalty and slotted home into the bottom corner. Wycombe were then reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time. Two yellow cards in quick succession meant Jo Kuffour was given his marching orders.
Vale eventually equalised just shy of the hour mark when Ben Williamson finished calmly past the on-rushing goalkeeper. It wasn’t long until the Valiants took the lead, as seven minutes later, Tom Pope rose highest from a cross to head his side into the lead.
Popey got his second goal of the game and Vale’s third three minutes from time when he once again beat his man in the air and scored a delightful header. The game’s fifth goal came on the ninety-minute mark as Ashley Vincent scored his fifth goal of the season.
