New boss Steven Pressley takes his team on their first away trip under his stewardship this weekend with a trip to Burslem to face Port Vale.
The month of January has brought a win, a draw and a defeat in league action for the Valiants, and the four points gained have given them some welcome breathing space in the bottom half of the table.
You have to go back to the end of October to find their last home victory in League Two, a run of six games which has become frustrating for all concerned.
Tuesday night took them to Bristol Rovers for a Checkatrade Trophy quarter final fixture, and it was the home side who progressed as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over the ten-man Valiants, who had Tom Conlon sent off when he was booked twice in the space of four minutes just after the break.
Forest defender Adam Crookes and striker Danny Elliott have been added to bolster the ranks during this transfer window - much needed additions when news broke following the recent Colchester game that the prolific Tom Pope would be sidelined 'for a few weeks' with a hamstring injury.
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Manager’s thoughts
Speaking ahead of the game, United boss Steven Pressley said: "I want us going there with a positive mindset and with the belief that we can win the game.
"If we're serious about wanting to get promoted this season, these are the games where we have to do things properly.
"The players can be pleased with their efforts last weekend, they got back to winning ways, but that's just one game. It needs to continue and we need to be picking up points to keep us where we are.
"There's been a lot of talk about the manager's position down there recently but, from what I've seen, those players are giving 100% effort and application for him.
"They got an excellent result at Crawley by playing in a slightly different way, and we'll have to be ready to deal with the confidence they'll have taken from that win."
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Did You Know?
+ The club were once called Burslem Port Vale, but dropped the ‘Burslem’ from their name in 1907.
+ Port Vale hold the record for the most seasons in the Football League without playing top-flight football - 106.
+ Perhaps Port Vale’s most famous supporter is singer Robbie Williams, who even owned shares in the club until 2012.
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Head to Head
The sides have met a total of 36 times with the with the clubs deadlocked at 13 victories each.
|
Carlisle wins |
Draws |
Port Vale wins |
|
|
League |
12 |
8 |
9 |
|
League Cup |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Cup |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
FA Cup |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
13 |
10 |
13 |
The last meeting between these teams was in August, when the Blues secured a 2-1 home victory. Goals either side of the break from Danny Grainger and Tom Parkes gave United a comfortable cushion, but Luke Hannant had hearts fluttering when he bagged a Valiant consolation with just two minutes left on the clock.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
We were last at Vale Park in March last season when second half goals from Ashley Nadesan and Hallam Hope handed the Blues a hard fought victory. Dior Angus had given the home side a first half lead, but Antony Kay was sent off for the hosts as tempers flared late in the game.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
The Blues had made heavy weather of the game earlier in that season, just before Christmas, when they allowed Tyrone Barnett and Tom Pope to give the visitors an unexpected two-goal cushion. A late strike from Richie Bennett did little to prevent the way side from taking the spoils on the day.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
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Man in the middle:
The referee for this game is Mr Charles Breakspear. He's demonstrated already this season that he isn't prepared to suffer any nonsense, with 101 yellow cards and 10 red cards handed out in his 31 games.
The last time we met him was a year ago when we travelled to Stevenage for what turned out to be a closely fought affair. No goals were scored on the day and Richie Bennett had his name taken for a rash challenge late in the game.
He was also our man in the middle for the Colchester away game in October earlier that season. A Jamie Devitt goal just after half time was enough to seal the three points for the Blues. Danny Grainger and James Brown went in the book that afternoon.
Referee - Charles Breakspear
Assistant Referee 1 - Christopher Ward
Assistant Referee 2 - Richard Wigglesworth
Fourth Official - Wade Smith
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Ticket information:
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