Ahead of tomorrow’s game against Port Vale, we take a look at the current form of both sides, Scotimp’s views from the Season Preview and past meetings between the two sides.
Port Vale: Last Six Results (League Two):
Port Vale 2-2 Stevenage
Port Vale 0-1 Exeter City
Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 Port Vale
Port Vale 2-1 Chesterfield
Crewe Alexandra 2-2 Port Vale
Port Vale 1-2 Crawley Town
Next Two Fixtures (League Two):
Mansfield Town (a)
Carlisle United (h)
Home Attendance Stats (League Two):
Lowest: 3,129 (v Cambridge United)
Highest: 7,127 (v Coventry City)
Total: 94,658 (21 games)
Average: 4,508
Top Scorers (League Two)
1: Tom Pope (16)
2: Cristian Montano (4)
3: Ben Whitfield (4)
4: David Worrall (4)
5: Dan Turner (3)
Scotimp’s Views From the Season Preview Part One | Part Two
2016-17 was a bizarre season for Port Vale. The appointment of Portuguese manager Bruno Ribeiro in June 2016 was a bold move which inspired chairman Norman Smurthwaite to predict a League One play-off place for his club. Ribeiro immediately imported 10 players from various European leagues, which inspired the bookmakers to predict nailed-on relegation. Guess who was right? Ribeiro departed in December after a poor start, and caretaker manager Michael Brown simply oversaw the remainder of a season which never got going. Vale failed to score in six of their last seven games and were finally relegated on the final day following a draw at Fleetwood (0-0, predictably). Despite having had little impact on proceedings, Brown was named manager on a permanent basis in May and immediately released 15 players (since when two more have chosen to move on). Vale Park hero Tom Pope has returned from Bury, although his 4 goals from 37 games last season does not suggest a return to his more prolific days. Tyrone Barnett has plenty of experience too, although his return of just 2 goals in 36 games last season for AFC Wimbledon does not promise a glut of goals to come either. Young Huddersfield striker Rekeil Pyke could prove effective in League Two, and Lawrie Wilson from Bolton looks a good signing. Season ticket sales have held up very well, with 3,199 sold by the end of June. Michael Brown had a baptism of fire in management last season, and this season will be no less of a challenge. With everything in a state of flux after relegation, a huge turnover on the playing side, and the club currently up for sale, a return to League One at the first attempt seems remote.
Prediction: Lower mid-table.
Lincoln City: Last Six Results (League Two):
Mansfield Town 1-1 Lincoln City
Chesterfield 1-3 Lincoln City
Lincoln City 3-1 Grimsby Town
Morecambe 0-0 Lincoln City
Lincoln City 3-2 Exeter City
Carlisle United 0-1 Lincoln City
Next Two Fixtures (League Two):
Wycombe Wanderers (h)
Colchester United (h)
Home Attendance Stats (League Two):
Lowest: 7,320 (v Barnet)
Highest: 9,785 (v Exeter City)
Total: 173,818 (20 games)
Average: 8,691
Top Scorers (League Two)
1: Matt Green (13)
2: Matt Rhead (7)
3: Harry Anderson (6)
4: Michael Bostwick (6)
5: Ollie Palmer (6)
Scotimp’s Views From the Season Preview Part One | Part Two
Lincoln City’s promotion to the Football League last season was as unexpected as it was breathtaking. Their run to the FA Cup quarter-final astonished and enthralled football supporters all over the world, and that is one reason why they are expected to do well this season. Wins over Oldham, Ipswich, Brighton and Burnley suggest that City will have little trouble with the likes of Crawley and Newport, and they have a far stronger squad this season. The methodical and analytical approach of Danny Cowley and his management team should deliver results regardless of which tier they are in; and whilst promotion to League One at the first attempt seems a tall order, they have plenty of momentum. Cowley has made some interesting signings during the close season, with Peterborough’s Player of the Season Michael Bostwick the headline-maker. Off the field, their policy of attracting sustainable investment has been enhanced through the advent of a couple of new directors. With a bespoke training ground scheduled to open in December and a new 15,000-seat stadium very much on the horizon, developments in infrastructure are set to keep pace with progress onfield. The people of Lincoln are certainly convinced: they have snapped up almost 6,000 season tickets over the summer, a response not seen since their Second Division days in the mid-1950s. City are almost guaranteed an average crowd of between 7,000 and 8,000, even if consolidation is the outcome next May. But the Cowleys have the opportunity they have worked for ten years to secure – to test their skills in the Football League – and they are unlikely to settle for anything less than a promotion challenge.
Prediction: Automatic promotion.
Last 7 Meetings:
1/11/08: Lincoln City 0-1 Port Vale (League Two)
20/2/09: Port Vale 0-1 Lincoln City (League Two)
1/12/09: Lincoln City 1-2 Port Vale (League Two)
23/2/10: Port Vale 4-0 Lincoln City (League Two)
29/1/11: Lincoln City 1-0 Port Vale (League Two)
29/3/11: Port Vale 2-1 Lincoln City (League Two)
25/11/17: Lincoln City 3-1 Port Vale (League Two)
Thank you to Graham Burrell and Lincoln City for the photograph!
– @OfficialPVFC (a): Form, Past Results & More:https://t.co/N8HmGjIN17#PVFC #ImpsAsOne #EFL
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) April 13, 2018
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/1658696980833207
