For a team that has notoriously spent most of the 25/26 league campaign at the bottom of League One, Port Vale has had an undeniable resurgence in belief since the appointment of Jon Brady.
While results on the surface do not necessarily reflect that statement, the performances on the pitch certainly show that this Vale team is giving everything it can to escape the drop – however unlikely it may currently look.
A well-respected point against play-off hopefuls Huddersfield Town, a hard-fought battle against Blackpool despite losing 3-2 and an unbelievable FA Cup run to top it off tells EFL fans that the Valiants are still mighty in spirit and are giving it their all before the final curtain falls on this season.
Something that inevitably effects most teams in the EFL bar a lucky few, is pitch endurance over the course of a season. For the most part, it’s hard to stop a pitch taking a hit unless your club has the necessary and quite frankly expensive equipment to maintain it.
Port Vale are one of those clubs this season to suffer from poor pitch quality, ultimately making their job harder – or is it?
Port Vale will no doubt be looking forward to the end of the season, not only because they can start to prepare for life in League Two but also so the ground can have a much-needed break.
That said, whilst the current state of the pitch is less than ideal and affects both sides, it does give a slight benefit to the Valiants.
Teams coming to Vale Park during this point of the season might not be prepared to play on a ground that is sandy compared to their home ground.
The bobbling of the ball caused by the ground gives an unpredictable aspect to the game that visiting teams might not be aware of.
Like I say, this does play a part for both teams, but Port Vale will be more accustomed to the pitch than their opponents and thus allowing them a slight upper hand.
Given that Port Vale got the better of play-off candidates Bolton Wanderers beating them 1-0, it would not be outlandish to suggest the playing surface could have been a factor in Vale’s huge victory.
The job Steven Schumacher has done at Wanderers is impressive, catapulting them into what looks to be a comfortable play-off spot.
Excluding cup competitions, Bolton had gone on a 13-game unbeaten streak before they turned up to Vale Park. For context, the last loss in the league for Schumacher’s side was on the 10th of January against Peterborough United – over two months ago.
Even though Bolton have a seven-point gap between them and slipping out of the play-off area, it’s crucial for mentality that Bolton stay on the right path and do not let their comfortable league position get to them.
Whilst unlikely they will drop out of play-offs at this stage; there is every chance Bradford could come from behind and make life for Wanderers difficult towards the end of the season.
