Views from another Vale fan building up to Saturday’s opener at Gigg.
How do you feel opening the season at Gigg Lane against Bury?
Should be a tough game, but I like starting the season with an ‘away’ – in fact I much prefer watching the ‘aways’, there’s always a great atmosphere amongst the fans when we’re travelling. Vale Park is full of moaners and whingers.
How many supporters do you expect to bring to Gigg lane for this fixture? First game of the season, a relatively short journey, and expectations are running high, so I would expect to see maybe just over 1000 fans make the trip.
Where do you think your team will lie at the end of this season? I’m definitely expecting to see us reach the play-off’s. Definitely. Micky Adams has performed wonders over the past twelve months, we are now a well organised outfit, and difficult to beat. The deadwood has been cleared out. Those horrendous days of Lee Sinnott, Dean Glover are well and truly over.
Where do you think Bury will finish the season?
I’d expect you to be challenging for a play-off place, although I have to say that I’ve not paid much attention to the comings and goings at Gigg Lane ove the summer.
Have you any past memories of visiting Bury or any games involving them?
I remember getting chased around the streets once when I was a teenager, but no specific memories from games. Do you know what? I can’t even remember the scores from the two games last season and I was at both of them!
Player to watch this season? Gary Roberts. Plenty of disciplinary issues at his previous clubs – Crewe, Rotherham and Yeovil (I think!), but he can certainly play a bit. We’ve offered him a short-term contract, and I think he realises that this could well be his last chance in the professional game. Michael Jacobs – a teenager at Northampton Town – one for the future.
Team to watch this season?
Port Vale!
Who do you think will go up and who will go down?
I’d love to see Crewe and Shrewsbury go down, but they probably won’t. I imagine Macc Town will probably struggle and maybe Oxford. We’ll be going up! Bradford, Northampton Town and yourselves should be competing for promotion.
How do you see the game going and what is your score prediction?
I’d be happy with a point from Gigg Lane, you don’t really expect fireworks in the first game – it’ll probably be a cagey affair.
Many thanks to DMG from Vital Port Vale.
Up The Shakers!
