Credit Graham Burrell
When asked whether Port Vale were in a false position a week or so ago, Michael Skubala skilfully, but respectfully, took the answer in a different direction.
Tomorrow, we head to Blackpool hunting our first win at Bloomfield Road since Michael Appleton’s first full season, looking to squeeze a Tangerines outfit that are currently in the bottom four.
With their budget, their quality and their manager, that feels like the wrong position, and our head coach agrees it is nothing like as straightforward as it looks on paper. With only two wins there in 23 visits, a run stretching back to before the Titanic sank, this promises to be a stern test.
“They are not in a realistic league position for the size of their club and the quality of players they have,” he said in his pre-match press conference.
“You have to look at their results. I went to watch them last night at Rotherham. You only need to look at their recent results, and if you take into account that they are strong at home as well, it is going to be a really tough game for us.”
Credit Graham Burrell
Last season, we snatched a late draw at their place, but the year before, we were beaten 2-0 in perhaps one of the defining moments of Skubala’s reign. He’d come in as a new manager, and that defeat was the last before Joe Taylor signed and Freddie Draper came home.
Now, we meet a Seasiders’ side with their own new manager, and a homecoming of sorts. Former Bolton boss Ian Evatt hasn’t had an immediate impact, but as Michael explained, you know what to expect.
“Ian Evatt knows his stuff. He has been around this league a long time and did really well with Bolton. We know how they are going to play, 352 with attacking eights and a running eight, so it is going to be a tough game.
“I think their league position is definitely false for the size of the club and the quality of players they have.”
Can City back just a second win of the 21st century at Bloomfield Road? It certainly won’t be as straightforward as the league table suggests.
Like this:
Loading…
Related
