Crisis what crisis! the Super U’s are on a 5-match winless streak and worse still the Farmers are looking at John McGreal to replace Mick McCarthy. Apparently, the Ipswich directors are impressed with JM nurturing of young talent.

Let us hope that JM keeps his feet well and truly on the floor because Sammie Szmodics has been adversely affected by newspaper talk about Bournemouth bidding £1m for his services. This nonsense has led to some indifferent performances, not only from Sammie but also some teammates as well.

It is about time that some sanity was restored. In truth the wheels fell off against Cheltenham and from a position of some strength the U’s have slipped off the pace. Vale Park with its impressive 114 x 77-yard pitch (compare that with the WHCS which is 110 x 70) would have been perfect for Brennan Dickenson to display his prowess but although he made a brief return against Swansea the other evening, we will probably have to wait until Coventry City at home before he graces the first team.

Although Paul Rooney has signed this week, the youngster may well see more action at U23 level. JM still needs two players an attacker and an attacking midfielder. I do not think that the attacking midfielder is Kyel Reid. I think that he blows hot and cold and has not demonstrated enough consistency for the U’s. Coventry don’t want him either. We should say thanks but no thanks.

Ryan Inniss has been struggling with his shoulder injury and so Luke Prosser will make his first start for 14 months at Port Vale on Saturday. Having signed Brandon Comley on a permanent basis last week it was a mistake not to start him I expect that JM will restore him to the team and leave Marmite on the bench. Jackson and Vincent-Young will provide the width. Courtney Senior deserves a start and Mandron needs to stay on the bench. Junior hopefully will get rather more than 1 minute at Vale Park. JM can therefore stick with his preferred 3,4,1,2 formation.

Subs:
Gilmartin, Kpekawa, James, Lapslie, Mandron, Ogedi-Uzokwe, Wright

Earlier in the season Neil Aspin’s Valiants drew 1-1 at the Fortress. They have rather gone off the boil since but in Tom Pope have a matchwinner. He will require careful watching.

The U’s have slipped to 11th place and those defeats against Cheltenham and Wycombe have really hurt us as a team. Tomorrow is a vital game to get back on track with three important points. Port Vale have lost 7 matches at home, we need to ensure that they endure an eighth defeat.

The weather in Burslem will be a mild 11 degrees Celsius with a 39% chance of rain. The pitch has always drained well (hardcore of crocks) and the surface should be ok for a passing game.

I expect to see Senior given a start and Junior to get at least 20 minutes at the end of the game.

Kurtis Guthrie needs to find his scoring boots now that he has some game time under his belt. Time also for Sammie to shine.

Safe journey to the travelling faithful.

Enjoy the game.

Up the U’s

Photo: Action Images

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