Two minute guide to Port Vale v Sunderland
BUMPER FA CUP EDITION: Our brand new two minute guide looks ahead to Port Vale’s FA Cup game against Sunderland…
Pre-match newsdesk
It’s largely been a good news week for the Valiants. Manny Oyeleke and Cristian Montano both came through a reserve game unscathed while Louis Dodds (right) pushed his claim with a impressive performance in the same match.
Elsewhere there has been fulsome praise for Tom Pope from coach Lee Nogan while defender Connell Rawlinson is looking ahead to what he says is the biggest game of his career so far.
Finally, Vale fans unable to get the game will be able to watch the views of a Vale legend during the TV coverage of the match.
Opposing view: Our manager is a “renaissance man”
Read the views of Sunderland fan and blogger Pete Sixsmith who is pleased with the progress his side have made this season. He comments “we look to have stabilised and are looking to get out of League One and back into the Championship .”
Quotes
“If we approach the game correctly and put our stamp upon it, getting stuck in and trying to ruffle a few feathers, I don’t see why we can’t pull off a good result. Port Vale has a rich history in the FA Cup as well as in league football, so if we can get a result on Sunday it can only benefit the club moving forward. There’s a lot of money on the line if you can progress through the rounds, and we’ll be looking to not get beaten and stay in it as long as possible…”
Port Vale defender Connell Rawlinson
“What I want from the players is that they give a good account of themselves and they give it a real good go – that’s all you can ask for. You don’t want them to come off the pitch having any regrets that they could’ve done more or that they could’ve done different things. They’ve got to give it their best shot and on the day, if they’re not good enough you’ve got to hold your hands up, but they must do everything they can to get the result…”
Port Vale manager Neil Aspin
Man in charge
“Renaissance man” Jack Ross was somewhat of a surprise choice as the new Sunderland boss. The 42 year-old largely learned his trade in the Scottish leagues but boasts a cracking win ratio of over 57% during his fledgling Sunderland career.
Bums on seats…
How many will be there to witness the FA Cup first round on Sunday? Barry Edge’s latest “Guess the crowd” competition is running on the forum and there are great prizes up for grabs. All you need to do to enter is register a free account for the forum.
Submit an attendance guess here
Stats and facts
The two sides have met nineteen times before and Sunderland hold the upper hand with seven wins to Vale’s three. The last meeting ended in a 2-0 victory to Sunderland. However, when it comes to FA Cup ties it is Vale with the advantage. There have been two Vale cup wins, two drawn ties and a solitary Sunderland victory.
Vale’s last scorer in the cup was Bert Llewellyn (above right) and you can read more about a famous win in 1962 through our special feature.
Click here to read how the singing winger downed Sunderland
Video vault
Hold on, we know we’ve already covered previous meetings but we can’t let a game against Sunderland pass without reference to one of Vale Park’s most memorable goals. That Tony Naylor special is featured below…
Crossing the lines
Do you remember some of Port Vale’s signings from Sunderland? Our feature this week took a look at ten of the players to appear for both clubs including Vale cult hero Brett Angell (pictured right).
Click here for the full article
And finally…
We had a look at give cracking FA Cup first round ties from previous seasons in a special feature. Let’s hope Sunday’s game is as entertaining as this bunch (which includes a thriller at Forest Green, pictured right)