Port Vale v Cardiff City preview – can the Valiants bounce back in front of the cameras?

A change of formation?

It was a game of two halves on Saturday with Vale’s initial 3-4-3 formation failing to impress. Will Darren Moore now resort to two upfront for this game?

Time for Croasdale?

If Moore does change things then surely there’s a strong case for Ryan Croasdale, impressive as a substitute on Saturday, to come into the central midfield area. Another option may be veteran Funso Ojo but Croasdale would be the choice of many fans.

Who replaces Headley?

Following his sending-off, Jaheim Headley will now be suspended. Vale at least have options on the left in youngster Jack Shorrock, versatile Kyle John or summer signing Liam Gordon. Of those three, it’s Gordon who is perhaps the most likely to start.

Injuries

Ben Amos and Ben Garrity both look long-term injuries. Meanwhile, Ruari Paton missed Saturday’s game through injury and must be considered a doubt. The same is true of Jayden Stockley who was replaced at half-time because of a knock.

Possible Vale line-up (3-5-2)

Marosi – Debrah, Humphreys, Hall – Clark, Byers, Ojo, Croasdale, Gordon – Tolaj, Stockley

Three thoughts after Port Vale’s loss to Rotherham: starting selection and Walters absence are puzzling

Summer business

After a devastating relegation from the Championship, this is Cardiff’s first time in the third tier in 22 years. The emphasis has been on retaining players rather than recruiting. As a result, several promising youngsters have been brought into the senior team.

Meet the manager

43 year-old Barry-Murphy was appointed head coach of Cardiff City on a three-year deal in June 2025. This will be his second game and because he won the first he currently has a 100% win ratio.

Opening match

This is the second outing in front of cameras in a row for the visitors. Their home game on Saturday was an early kick-off in order to be screened on Sky. It was a good watch for Bluebirds fans as they ran out 2-1 winners over Peterborough after coming from a goal down. What’s more it was the youngest City line-up this century which produced the win.

Team news

The visitors remain without the injured Perry Ng, while Alex Robertson is a doubt after sitting out Saturday’s game. Captain Calum Chambers should return after suspension.

Brief History

Founded in 1899 as Riverside AFC, the club changed its name to Cardiff City in 1908 and entered the Southern Football League in 1910 before joining the English Football League in 1920. They were in the Premier League as recently as 2019. Cardiff are the only team from outside England to have won the FA Cup, doing so in 1927

Stadia

Cardiff’s first ground was at Sophia Gardens recreational park, where the team played from their founding in 1899 until 1910. They then purchased a former rubbish tip which was renamed Ninian Park. They played there until 2009 when they moved to the 26,000 capacity Cardiff City stadium.

Trivia

We’ve previously mentioned that Cardiff are the only non-English side to win the FA Cup. What will have rubbed it in for defeated finalists Arsenal was Cardiff’s win took place on St George’s Day 1927.

Last season

Cardiff finished in 24th place in the Championship and were relegated.

Flashback: when Port Vale scored eleven times in three days…

Fixture history

The two sides first met in 1921 when it ended in a 2-1 away win for the Valiants. Vale’s winner came from Tom Page. The last League meeting was in 2003 when the Vale lost 2-0 at home. In fact, Vale have to go back to 1994 (a run of six League and Cup games) for their last win. That was a 3-1 away win thanks to goals from David Lowe, Kevin Kent and Ian Taylor.

Classic clash

This Vale fan was present when a Vale side featuring Darren Beckford and Ron Futcher went goal crazy over a weekend in September 1988. There were cracking strikes from Futcher and Earle as Vale made it a 6-1 thrashing of Cardiff on the Saturday. Then two days later, they hammered Chesterfield 5-0 with Beckford netting a hat-trick. More on that in our archive section above…

Recent player connections

The most recent players to appear for both sides are striker Josh Thomas (who had a spell on loan with Vale in 2024) and midfielder Tom Sang, released by Vale in the summer. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Jak Alnwick, who played 79 times for Vale is in the Cardiff squad. Other players to appear for both in recent years include striker Jordan Hugill, striker Mark Harris and forward Uche Ikpeazu.

Vintage connection

Northern Irish forward Paul Millar was one of John Rudge’s “bargains” being signed for £20,000 from Portadown. A useful squad figure, he never nailed down a starting place in his three year spell. Nevertheless, Rudge, showing his transfer genius, managed to sell Millar for £60,000 (a profit of £40,000) to Cardiff City. He made over a hundred appearances for City and helped them win promotion to the second division in 1993.

Discuss the game

Want to discuss things before, during and after the game? Our forum’s dedicated match thread is the place to be. Share your views with fellow fans –

Match thread for the game

Quiz

Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz

• Who is the current Cardiff City manager?
• Which former Vale goalkeeper is in the Cardiff squad?
• Who is Cardiff’s record goalscorer?
• What was the score when the sides met in 1988?

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

• Brian Barry-Murphy
• Jak Alnwick
• Len Davies
• Port Vale 6-1 Cardiff City

Quiz ratings

Today’s theme is right-backs. How did you fare?

0/4 – Lawrie Wilson
1/4 – Kevin Steggles
2/4 – Adam Yates
3/4 – Matt Carragher
4/4 – Simon Mills