The Valiants return to Vale Park this weekend as we take on Rochdale in Sky Bet League Two action live on Sky Sports+, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30pm.
Vale come into this game off the back of a 5-0 Jersey Mike’s Trophy midweek win against Manchester City’s U21s, but will be looking to get back to winning ways in the league following a 2-0 away defeat to York City last time out.
The Opposition
Saturday’s opponents are newly-promoted Rochdale. The visitors find themselves in seventeenth place, three points ahead of the Valiants, with four wins, three draws and six losses to their name so far.
Ian Watson’s side will be looking for a quick response themselves following a comprehensive 5-0 home loss to Accrington Stanley last weekend.
There will be a number of familiar faces potentially involved in Rochdale’s matchday squad in the form of former Valiants, Devante Rodney, Luke Hannant and Dajaune Brown.
Following a season-long loan at Vale Park last season, Dajaune Brown found himself moving out on loan from Derby County this time around and has recently become one of Rochdale’s most potent threats, scoring four goals and claiming one assist in his last seven league outings.
Rochdale’s Recent Form
Rochdale 0-5 Accrington Stanley
Rochdale 2-2 Grimsby Town
Crewe Alexandra 3-2 Rochdale
Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Rochdale
Huddersfield Town 5-0 Rochdale [Jersey Mike’s Trophy]
Opposition Dugout
Ian Watson is the man in charge of Saturday’s visitors, having joined from National League North side, South Shields, in July of this year following the three-year tenure of Jimmy McNulty, who subsequently moved on to Sky Bet League One side, Stockport County.
This is the fourty-year-old's second permanent managerial position of his career following an impressive year in charge of South Shields, narrowly missing out on promotion to Kidderminster Harriers.
Ian Watson’s managerial career to date:
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | PPM |
Rochdale | 17 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 28 | 42 | 1.06 |
South Shields | 49 | 29 | 11 | 9 | 101 | 48 | 2.00 |
Injury News
Jon Brady will be without long-term absentees Ryan Croasdale, Liam Gordon, Ben Waine, Mo Faal and Matty Craig, as well as captain, Ben Garrity.
Connor Hall missed out on the squad last weekend with a knock, but has since returned to training this week, with the manager saying that he is in contention to be included in the squad this weekend.
Press Conference
Jon Brady and Keyrol Figeuroa were both on press duties this week, speaking to PVTV, BBC Radio Stoke and Moorlands Radio, looking ahead to Saturday’s game.
Both press conferences can be watched in full on PVTV by clicking here.
Fixture Flashback
Port Vale 4-1 Rochdale | Saturday 23rd April 2016
Two penalties from Michael O’Connor and goals from JJ Hooper and Theo Robinson helped the Valiants to a comfortable 4-1 win against Rochdale back in April 2016.