Port Vale v Reading preview – can Crosby’s side defeat one of the division’s big guns?
It wasn’t too long ago that Reading were in the Premier League, but right now they have to travel to Burslem to take on Andy Crosby’s men. Here’s our preview…
Venue: Vale Park stadium | Date: 12th August 2023, 3pm | Competition: League One
Predict the score
Preamble
It’s the first home League fixture for Port Vale manager Andy Crosby and his crop of summer additions. It’s against a side that have picked up that unwanted tag of “crisis club” after a string of FA charges due to late wage payments and failures to pay the HMRC. The club has been subject to a transfer embargo in the summer which won’t have helped their recruitment plans.
Port Vale team news
What team will Crosby pick after the midweek cup win? It certainly looks like the likes of Ethan Chislett and Josh Thomas have done their chances of a start no harm with their performances in midweek. It could even be an unchanged starting eleven from the Fleetwood win. However, it will depend on whether the injured Mitch Clark is fit to return as wingback. Tom Conlon remains the club’s only long-term injury at this time.
Vale’s one to watch…
He scored his first senior goal in football on Tuesday so will Josh Thomas be granted another start at the weekend? The Swansea youngster has certainly looked bright so far in a Vale shirt.
Opposition team news
It’s been a distinctly odd summer for Reading with their transfer ambitions interrupted by embargoes. Nevertheless, the club have managed to add Sam Smith, Harvey Knibbs, Charlie Savage, Lewis Wing and Tivonge Rushesha among others. However, Smith has already picked up a long-term knock. Due to the lack of numbers, former Vale youth teamer John Clarke (more on him below) could be in the matchday squad.
Reading’s one to watch…
It would have been interesting to see how rumoured Vale target Sam Smith fared, but he’s out with a long-term injury. However, it’s worth looking out for a couple of other well-known names in towering striker Andy Carroll and defender Sam Hutchinson.
Man in charge
Former Southampton manager Ruben Selles was appointed in June. He managed Southampton for seventeen games with an 11% win ratio.
Familiar faces
There’s one player who was on the books of both clubs and that’s young defender John Clarke. A member of the Port Vale youth side, Clarke was snapped up by Reading in the summer of 2022 for an undisclosed fee and made four appearances for the senior side last season.
Old boys club…
There’s not been that many players over the years who have played for both clubs. A pretty short list includes defender Bob Hazell, striker Tony Rougier (whose move to Reading was worth £325,000) and defender Andre Bikey.
Through the years…
One a fairly regular fixture, there hasn’t been a competitive fixture between the two sides for more than twenty years. The clubs first met in 192 when it ended in an honourable 1-1 draw. Vale’s first win came two fixtures later when they on 3-0 at home in 1927. Record scorer Wilf Kirkham was on the target during that fixture.
Last time we met…
The last game ended in a 2-0 win for Reading back in 2002 thanks to two goals from Jamie Cureton. Vale also lost the home fixture and are actually on a run of four games without a goal against Reading. The last time a Vale player scored was in a 3-0 win in 1998 when Lee Mills, Jan Jansson and Stewart Talbot were all on target.
Overall record
23 Port Vale wins | 14 draws | 25 Port Vale losses
From the archive
With somewhat dodgy audio, here’s a clip from our YouTube channel of a 2-1 Vale win back in 1993…
A brief history of…
Reading were formed in 1871 and were quickly known as the Royals due to their location in the Royal Borough of Berkshire. They did not join the Football League until 1920 but recent success meant the club did reach the top-flight in 2006. Reading won the 1987–88 Full Members’ Cup and were one of only two Second Division clubs to lift the trophy. They played at Elm Park for 102 years until they moved to the Madejski Stadium in 1998.
Our traditional quiz…
- Who is the current Reading manager?
- What was the score the last time the two teams met?
- In which year were the club formed?
- Who scored twice against Vale in the last competitive game?
Answers below (no cheating)…
Join the debate
Our forum is the place to be to discuss the game. Join the debate before, during and after kick-off and share your thoughts with fellow Vale fans. Just click on the link below:
Quiz answers
- Ruben Selles
- Reading 2-0 Port Vale
- 1871
- Jamie Cureton
michael james rennie
11th August 2023 @ 9:07 am
hello hate to disagree but back in the day Reading were k own as the Biscuit Men never the Royals thats a 80s name