There has been a total of 49 recorded league/cup games between the 2 sides since 1938, results as follows.

Games won: 15
Games drawn: 14
Games lost: 20

On a positive note we have only lost 1 game against them since returning to the football league, results as follows,

10 Nov 2017 Newport County v Port Vale D 1-1 League Two
24 Feb 2018 Port Vale v Newport County D 0-0 League Two
01 Sep 2018 Port Vale v Newport County W 1-2 League Two
29 Jan 2019 Newport County v Port Vale D 0-0 League Two
07 Sep 2019 Newport County v Port Vale W 1-0 League Two
21 Nov 2020 Newport County v Port Vale W 1-0 League Two
16 Mar 2021 Port Vale v Newport County L 2-1 League Two
11 Dec 2021 Newport County v Port Vale W 2-1 League Two

It looks like a real tough game for us. The players will be bitterly disappointed and probably exhausted after a long season. Port Vale will have a large crowd expecting promotion. Conversely, with the pressure off, the County may be able to play some good football. We'll see. I wonder if JR will make many changes?

One thing he shouldn't do is start with youth-teamers, we owe it to the other promotion contenders.

We don't owe anything to anyone George. We should be thinking of ourselves and our future, not our problem what happens with other teams. If Rowberry wants to see what some of the younger lads can do, then put them in.

Blackandamber wrote: May 2nd, 2022, 8:59 am It looks like a real tough game for us. The players will be bitterly disappointed and probably exhausted after a long season. Port Vale will have a large crowd expecting promotion. Conversely, with the pressure off, the County may be able to play some good football. We'll see. I wonder if JR will make many changes?

Going for a draw, Port Vale have every thing to loose we have every thing to gain. we need to stop the rot.

Exile 1976 wrote: May 2nd, 2022, 9:43 am We don't owe anything to anyone George. We should be thinking of ourselves and our future, not our problem what happens with other teams. If Rowberry wants to see what some of the younger lads can do, then put them in.

George is right. We do owe it to the integrity of the League to put out our strongest side. You are right, in a competitive league our only duty is to ourselves.

And as your views are incompatible you both can't be right.

If we were Northampton how would we feel about County playing the youth team? Then again if Northampton were in our position what would they do?

The fact is there is no perfect answer. However as so often in life there is a solution. So let's think this through.

A number of County players are leaving. We cannot afford to keep Telford. (Probably) The loanees are going back to their parent clubs. These players are unlikely to bust a gut, or a cruciate ligament, chasing every ball. The youth players have something to prove. Therefore put them on the bench today. If any of the regular first team are uninterested in working up a sweat, bring on the young replacement. In doing that we satisfy our duty to the League, and allow a fair number of youth team possibles to have the match day experience.

Next week. It's a dead rubber against Rochdale. Get the crowd in by charging £10 entry all areas of the ground. Play the youth team, six start the rest on the bench. And tell them to go out and enjoy themselves.

In case you don't know, Mansfield are playing Man United B before us at 12:30. Hope the Stags win.

Rob Edwards is in the Sky studio.

Weather is looking good.

KingOfGwent wrote: May 2nd, 2022, 12:09 pm In case you don't know, Mansfield are playing Man United B before us at 12:30. Hope the Stags win.

Rob Edwards is in the Sky studio.

Salford 1-0 up

Salford 1 Mansfield 1 free kick,Tom King should have saved.

Here we go with todays starting 11