Port Vale v Sunderland preview – how will Vale fare in the Carabao Cup?
Port Vale v Sunderland preview: It’s the first competitive game at Vale Park for the Valiants and their fans. We preview the action…
Match details?
Port Vale v Sunderland, Carabao Cup
Vale Park stadium, Tuesday 10th August, 7.45pm
TICKET INFO FROM PORT VALE HEREWhat happened last time we played them?
The Valiants lost 2-0 in the Football League Trophy last season in a game which saw three Vale players injured including a broken arm for iconic striker Tom Pope. Sunderland would go on to lift the trophy that season. The two sides have never met in the League Cup but they did meet in the FA Cup in 2018. The image shows a glorious sunset over the Railway stand as the action unfolded at the Vale Park stadium.
What’s our overall record?
Sunderland hold a comprehensive lead with the last Port Vale win being way back in 1997, some five matches ago. The overall record stands at
- 3 Port Vale wins
- 9 losses
- 9 draws
What’s the Port Vale team news?
Goalkeeper Lucas Covolan will be missing after his red card against Northampton Town. It means a first start for fellow summer signing Aidan Stone. There’s a possibility of some other changes too. Will the likes of Jamie Proctor, Leon Legge and Mal Benning also get a chance to impress? Jake Taylor and James Gibbons remain out injured.
Vale’s season so far…
It was a disappointing start of the season for the Valiants as they lost 1-0 to Northampton Town. It was only compounded by Lucas Covolan’s red card on his full debut. Valiants manager Darrell Clarke certainly felt the dismissal was a key moment and a bad decision by the Brazilian.
What about the opponents?
Sunderland started the season with a 2-1 home win over Wigan Athletic. It’s tricky to know who Lee Johnson will pick for this game but he will do so from a reduced squad. Over the summer Johnson released ten players and has brought in just three in response. Sunderland will be without Jordan Willis for the majority of the season as he suffered further setbacks following his original ruptured patella while it is unlikely that Alex Pritchard will start after missing the whole of pre-season after a positive Covid test.
Man in charge: Lee Johnson
Age: 40
Clubs managed: Oldham Athletic. Barnsley, Bristol City
Appointed: December 2020
Games in charge: 40
Win ratio: 50%
Any Vale connections?
There’s no players who have appeared for both sides but there is a connection in the coaching staff. Dean Whitehead joined the club in the summer and the Port Vale coach spent five years as a Sunderland player. Over recent years, players Craig James and Billy Knott have appeared for both sides.
Vintage Vale Connection
Goalkeeper Barry Siddall spent six years at Sunderland making just under 200 appearances and won promotion in 1980.
Three years later, he was a key member of the Port Vale 1983 promotion side. The veteran played the majority of the season as John McGrath’s side went up to Division Three. Siddall ended up with 93 Vale appearances but didn’t endear himself to Vale fans when he returned as a Blackpool player only to reveal a Stoke City shirt (where he had been on loan) underneath.
The keeper finished his playing career in 1993 with an impressive total of 746 senior appearances for numerous clubs.
Potted history
The club was founded as Sunderland and District Teachers A.F.C. in what was believed to be 1879. It was renamed as Sunderland AFC the following year and joined the Football League in 1890. They won the League Championship just one year later. In total, the club has won the League six times, the FA Cup twice and the Football League Trophy last season.
Quick stats
- Most appearances: Jimmy Montgomery (627)
- Most goals: Bobby Gurney (228)
- Record buy: £13.8m for Didier N’Dong
- Record sale: £30m for Jordan Pickford
From the archives…
Singing winger sinks Sunderland
A look back at one of our favourite OVF features of recent years as we recall how the veteran winger Colin Grainger set up a memorable sixties cup upset for the Valiants…
Maverick keeper and war hero
A maverick player who had a remarkable life – we published this article on the life of cult hero Leigh Roose who played for both clubs.
Were you paying attention?
A quick quiz on the opponents – answers at the bottom of the page…
- Which current Port Vale coach used to play for Sunderland?
- Who is the club’s record purchase?
- Who is the current Sunderland manager?
- In which year did the club enter the Football League?
Quiz answers below:
- Dean Whitehead
- Didier N’Dong
- Lee Johnson
- 1890