PREVIEW: Port Vale v Swindon Town

RICHIE WELLENS will aim to get the first win of his tenure as Swindon Town manager with an away trip to Port Vale in tomorrow’s three o’clock kick-off. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker previews the match.

On the wrong end of a four-nil drubbing against Carlisle United on his first outing, Wellens will be hoping that a week’s worth of training will have his shaped his team into match-winning form.

Having both been relegated from League One in the 16/17 season, Saturday’s match could be the difference between relegation and survival with both teams struggling for points this season. 

Just two points separate Port Vale, 16th, and Swindon in 18th heading into tomorrow’s game, but with sides around them starting to pick up points this has all the hallmarks of a survival game associated to it.

Amidst a wave of negativity given Town’s recent form, a glimmer of hope remains with Swindon having established a decent track record of results against the Midlands-based club. 

Winning both home and away last season earned STFC well-deserved bragging rights over The Valiants, but having now failed to score in 204 minutes, the Robins will be in for a stern test against a Neil Aspin side with a good home record at Vale Park.

Having played nine league home games so far this campaign, the hosts have won four whilst suffering just three defeats, most recently a 6-2 drubbing against league leaders Lincoln City.

A leaky Vale defence that has conceded 22 goals and with a negative goal difference of -5 presents Town’s attackers with the perfect opportunity of ending their barren spell of having only scored 2 goals in their last 6 league games. 

But with Swindon’s strikers struggling for both confidence and form, it’s hard to see where the goals will come from. 

In contrast, Tom Pope’s season tally of eight goals will provide a stern test for Town’s shaky defence that has leaked five goals from their last two league games.

The return of Michael Doughty provides Swindon fans with a sense of optimism following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and the playmaker's technical ability will be crucial to Town’s success.

A disappointing season so far for both teams has led to this game being a must-win for each given their respective precarious league positions. And for Swindon Town, it will be a missed opportunity should they come back to Wiltshire with anything less than three points.