A new year and a new chapter in the fortunes of Port Vale as we kick off 2011 cruelly shorn of our Messiah Micky Adams with a trip to Rotherham, the South Yorkshire town that spawned those much loved comedy greats The Chuckle Brothers and William Hague. Of course, strictly speaking we aren't travelling to Rotherham as their current home is the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield. Oh, the bitter irony of it all!
Step forward Geoff Horsfield and Mark Grew, the two men tasked with - for the time being anyway - spearheading our quest for promotion. We desperately need a good performance and three points to lift the gloom after our abject, timid surrender at Gillingham and the subsequent departure of Adams to Bramhall Lane. The festive season has not been kind to those who hold an unconditional love for The Valiants.
One player who should be well up for the occasion is our midfield genius Gary Roberts, Rotherham is one of his former clubs who felt it necessary to dispense with his services due to his much publicised 'off-field' activities, and let's face it, he's certainly due a big game.
Our hosts currently sit 4th in the league, and are unbeaten in their last five games. A win for Rotherham would also see them leapfrog us in the table, and the momentum is definitely with The Millers at the moment, although we have this season proved that we can deal with anyone in this league, and surely our current predicament will bring out the fighting spirit amongst the players.
So, let's try not to be too despondent. The squad is now in the more than capable hands of The Hoss and Grewy, we are still 2nd in the table, and unquestionably capable of reaching League 1 when May comes around.
Let's all keep the faith...
Match prediction: Rotherham Utd 1-3 Port Vale