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Rob Page rallies Vale troops ahead of Orient test PORT Vale interim manager Rob Page says he is disappointed after the team’s 2-2 draw to Scunthorpe and feels there is room for improvement before the Valiants take on Leyton Orient. They lie in 18th position in League One, three places below The Os, meaning all that could change on Saturday. Page said: “There’s nothing we can do to alter Tuesday’s result now. It’s gone. We know we let ourselves down with regards to our home performances. “That game felt like a defeat.
“It’s disappointing but the players have come in today nice and bright and we’ve cracked on with training as normal and we’re looking forward to attacking on Saturday.” Port Vale are under pressure to perform after their two previous home victories this season against Yeovil and Barnsley. “You’ve got to look forward to the next game and go and put a performance in and if we do that then we stand a good chance of getting the result we want,” said Page. “We’ve seen some positive signs in the Yeovil home game and the Barns-
ley home game and the performances away from home to a point. For me, I’ve seen a steady progress and encouraging signs until Tuesday.” With the Scunthorpe draw in mind, Page said he believes the team can learn from the mistakes made on the pitch and put them into practice. Page added: “There’s a lot to work on. We’ve touched on it today with regards of how we allowed them to get the second goal. We’ve got to address it and put it right to make sure it’s not a common theme and put it to bed.” The team to take on Leyton Orient
is yet to be finalised, with 29-year-old striker Tom Pope having sustained an injury. Page revealed: “Pope picked up a knock late on, but managed to finish the game. “We’re just trying to patch him up and get him ready for the weekend. “We’re definitely making progress but there’s still room for improvement. We know we’re going to be in for a tough game.” Orient come to the Potteries on the back of a 2-0 win at Doncaster in midweek. The O’s had previously gone four league games without a win.
Friday October 24, 2014 8
Gary Rowett to talk to Blues
Burton Albion have given permission to Birmingham City for discussions to take place with Gary Rowett over their vacant manager’s position. Rowett took Albion to the League Two play-off final last season, and his side have started strongly this time around. The Brewers sit second in the table, missing out on top spot due to Wycombe’s superior goal difference. Birmingham sacked manager Lee Clark following Saturday’s 1-0 loss to fellow strugglers Bolton. The Blues have made a poor start to their Championship campaign with just two wins in twelve games. The board hope to have someone in place for derby against Wolverhampton Wanderers (November 1).
Stoke legend Ratcliffe dies
Hughes: Potters will test rampant Saints
Hughes has defeed Victor Moses after the Nigerian winger won a controversial penalty in Sunday’s win over Swansea
By Rayhill Dhansey
@RayhillDhansey - staffslive.co.uk
--------------------------------------------MARK Hughes believes his Stoke City side can cause Southampton problems as the two clubs face off twice in the space of five days. The Potters face third place Southampton at St Mary’s in the Premier League on Saturday, before Wednesday’s League Cup game at the Britannia. Hughes said: “Southampton are in great form, but we are in confident mood as well. “We know they have talented players but so do we. They know this will be a tough game.”
The Saints have made their best start to a Premier League season since it started in 1993. Hughes said: “The job that Ronald Koeman has done there is remarkable. For the club to go through a big a change as they have, with all the players leaving and coming in is really outstanding,” he said. The Stoke manager also had his say on the Victor Moses, who controversially earned the 10th-placed Potters a penalty (which Charlie Adam put away) to help City beat Swansea. “We are fully behind Victor Moses, he told us after the game he though he was impeded, felt contact on his back and went down.”
He added: “He has a strong character, he will get on with playing for City which he has done well so far.” Hughes was confident that Stoke would’ve won the game, even without the help of the penalty. He said: “The incident overshadowed what was a good performance, it is a shame because I believe we would have won the game anyway.” All four Premier League matches between Stoke and Southampton have ended in draws with the Potters’ last win against Southampton in the top flight coming 34 years ago. Hughes believes his Stoke City side can win on Saturday. He said: “We lost our first two
games, so people formed their perceptions very quickly. “But it is clear to see we have improved and I am looking forward to a good game against Southampton.” INJURY NEWS ------------------------------------------Phil Bardsley - The defender ‘locked his back’ according to Hughes so he is an injury doubt for Saturday. ------------------------------------------Glen Whelan - Fractured his leg on international duty with the Republic of Ireland so he will be out of action for up to 6 weeks.
Vale held by 10 men of Scunthorpe
Page’s men pegged back by the Iron but move out of relegation places
Port Vale couldn’t manage to hold on as 10 men Scunthorpe United fought back to draw at Vale Park. Rob Page’s side were 11 minutes away from securing a third win in six games but poor defending meant they dropped another 2 points. The visitors took tan early lead through a brilliant near post finish from Neal Bishop after good wing play from Luke O’Neil for Scunthorpe who provided the cross. Their lead did not last for long as the Burslem side showed their character by equalising on seven minutes just three minutes after going behind.
SCORER: Ben Williamson
A looping cross from winger Mark Marshall found Ben Williamson who notched his fifth goal of the season. Marshall was the bright spark as his pace threatened Scunthorpe’s defence all evening. Despite creating numerous half chances before the interval the two sides went in at halftime all square. After the break the Iron certainly started it better with ex-Vale winger Jennison Myrie-Williams reminding home fans how dangerous he Chris Neal in goal parried his shot. But Scunthorpe failed to clear their box after an Adam Yates shot
and Chris Birchall reacted to blast the ball through the keeper’s legs. Things turned from bad to worse for the visitors as Myrie-Williams was handed a second yellow card for a heavy challenge on midfielder Chris Lines. Despite the numerical advantage Vale did not hold on. Scunthorpe took a quick free kick to get the ball out wide and Lyle Taylor got at the end of the cross.. Port Vale move out of the bottom four with the draw. Struggling Scunthorpe slipped to the bottom of League One.
Football this weekend (*Saturday 3pm kick-off unless stated) Premier League - Stoke City V Southampton League One - Port Vale V Leyton Orient, Crewe Alexandra V Sheffield United League Two - Stevenage V Burton Albion
Former Stoke favourite Don Ratcliffe has died after a long illness. He was 79. Born in Newcastle and known popularly as Ratters, he played more than 250 league and cup games between 1954 and 1963. Having joined the club in 1950 as a 17 year-old, he progressed through the ranks impressing with his pace and versatility. He would go on to score 19 career goals for Stoke, and was an ever present in the 1962/63 promotionwinning team alongside the likes of Stanley Matthews, Dennis Viollet and Bill Asprey. Stoke City have said that they will announce Ratcliffe’s funeral arrangements shortly.
Neal: I’m proud of caps century
Goalkeeper Chris Neal believes making 100 appearances for Port Vale is a “great achievement” and aims to keep hold of the number one jersey for future games. Neal pulled on the gloves for the 100th time for Vale on Tuesday night against Scunthorpe United, after joining the club from Shrewsbury Town in July 2012. Neal, 29, told StaffsLive: “It’s nice to have 100 appearances to my name. “I didn’t even realise until someone had tweeted me, but to reach 100 games in just over two seasons is a great achievement. “The team have also achieved a lot in that two years as well, so it’s positive. “It’s now time to look forward and get as many appearances as I can this season and hopefully climb up the table with the team as well.”
Neal picked the 7-1 victory over Burton Albion in the 12/13 promotion season as a personal highlight of his time at Vale Park. He said: “The score-line and having 11,000 people here at Vale Park, it was a special night, I’d say that’s one of the games that I’ll always look back on and remember fondly. “There has been some great times for me here.” The English shot-stopper, who also played for Preston North End, has won Port Vale’s annual Players’ Player Award two seasons running, and hopes to reclaim it at the end of this season. He said: “It was massive for me. “I was surprised both times when I did get it at the end of the season so it’s nice to be recognised by the fans and my fellow peers that I play with. “It was a great achievement and I’d like to make it a hat-trick this year.”