League One Preview: Page starts new Vale chapter, Bristol City out to extend run

Rob Page will take charge of Port Vale for the League One clash with Barnsley on Saturday after former manager Micky Adams’ resignation.

Adams brought an end to his second spell in charge of Vale on Thursday after a dismal start to the season that has seen them slump to 23rd following five consecutive league losses.

The former Sheffield United boss helped guide the club back to the third tier in 2012-13 but called time on his tenure after discussions with chairman Norman Smurthwaite.

Assistant Page will now be tasked with stopping the rot, starting with the visit of Danny Wilson’s Barnsley to Vale Park.

The former Wales international assumed control of Vale temporarily in September last year when Adams needed time off for surgery and the 40-year-old is hopeful a positive run of results could see him land the job on a long-term basis.

“I think we’re all a bit shell shocked,” the 40-year-old said this week.

“My priority was to get the players out on the training ground and try to make things as normal as possible to get them ready for the game on Saturday.

“I’m not going to sit here and say it’s not for me, of course I’m interested. That’s the reason I’ve come into the coaching side of it, to be a manager one day.

“The most important thing is that we want what’s best for this football club and along the way if it means I’m winning games of football then I’m going to be happy in the job I’m doing.”

A win for Vale could lift them out of the bottom three, provided results above them go their way.

Scunthorpe United and Colchester United, both of whom sit in the bottom four, host Leyton Orient and Bradford City respectively.

At the top, in-form Bristol City make the long trip north to Fleetwood Town looking to extend their winning sequence to five league games.

Steve Cotterill’s men have not conceded since the last day of August and sit four points clear at the summit while Saturday’s hosts are somewhat out of sorts, having failed to pick up maximum points in their last five outings.

High-flying Chesterfield make the short trip to Doncaster Rovers while second-place Peterborough United will look to keep the pressure on those around them when they face strugglers Yeovil Town.

Swindon Town can take Sheffield United’s place in the play-off spots when the sides meet at the County Ground, and Walsall have the chance to bounce back from their 4-0 humbling at Rochdale against Gillingham.

Having agreed a new contract with teenage prospect Dele Alli in midweek, Karl Robinson’s MK Dons host Crewe Alexandra, with mid-table Crawley Town and Preston North End meeting at Deepdale.

Rounding off the weekend’s fixtures, Notts County host Oldham Athletic, and Rochdale welcome Coventry City.