Reading v Port Vale preview – Valiants need to forget cup glory and focus on the League points

Focus, focus, focus…

Darren Moore was adamant that Vale will not be distracted by League Cup matters. For anyone on Mars… Vale shocked Championship Birmingham in midweek and that has set up a glamour home tie against Arsenal. However, Moore has feet firmly planted on the floor telling the media that right now “the focus is on Reading” and the cup talk is for the future.

Back to the 3-4-3?

Many fans, including this one, have been dismissive of three upfront but it certainly worked in midweek. There’s now an argument that given the loss of Lorent Tolaj and the “hybrid” (i.e. attacking but not central forwards) players available, such as Curtis, Richards and Waine (and you can possibly throw Garrity and Headley in there too) that three upfront may be worth another go. Will Moore use the cup formation on Saturday?

Cup stars to start?

And on a similar note… will Darren Moore rotate or include some of the midweek heroes. In many fans’ eyes the performance of Rhys Walters on Tuesday should make him a certain starter while Ben Heneghan was impressive in central defence. Moore has a reputation as a tinker man but will he stick rather than twist?

Ins and outs

The Vale were boosted by the return of the aforementioned Ruari Paton in midweek while Derby County striker Dajaune Brown arrived on loan to boost the forward options. It leaves striker Jayden Stockley and keeper Ben Amos as the main absentees.

Possible Vale line-up (3-4-3)

Gauci – Debrah, Humphreys, Hall – Clark, Croasdale, Walters, Gordon – Curtis, Faal, Headley

Darren Moore on the League Cup win: “what a performance”

Meet the manager

42 year-old former Reading player Noel Hunt was appointed manager in 2024. It’s his first full-time managerial post and he has a record of 14 wins from 38 games in charge.

Recent form

Reading have played AFC Wimbledon in both their previous features. In midweek, they defeated the Dons in the League Cup but lost to them on Saturday in the League. That was the second consecutive home loss after Reading also lost to Huddersfield Town. They currently languish in 23rd place.

Team news

Like Vale, Reading are a club seeking more forward options and have boosted their squad with the signing of Jack Marriott from Wrexham and Matt Ritchie from Portsmouth. Both veterans are in contention to make the squad at the weekend.

Last season

Seventh in League One.

Brief History

Reading were formed in 1871. They did not join the Football League until 1920. The club won the 1987–88 Full Members’ Cup being one of only two Second Division clubs to lift the trophy. Since 2006, the side have reached the Premier League on two occasions. In recent years, Reading’s finances have hit the headline under the controversial ownership of Dai Yongge. After a series of protests, Yongge’s tenure ended in May this year when Redwood Holdings took over the club.

Stadia

The fledgling club played at four different grounds before settling at Elm Park, where they played for 102 years until they moved to the 24,000 capacity Madejski Stadium in 1998. Visiting fans are housed in several sections of the South stand.

Trivia

Reading have an eyebrow raising record loss. In 1894 they lost by a thumping 18-0 margin to Preston North End in the FA Cup. Bizarrely, that isn’t even Preston’s record cup win. They defeated Hyde 26-0 in 1887, the show-offs…

Donations to John Rudge statue fund flood in from grateful Reading fans

Fixture history

Once a fairly regular fixture, contrasting fortunes meant the game in 2023 was the first in twenty years  It ended in a 1-0 win for the Valiants. The return was more eventful with the original fixture called off as fans protested against the Reading owners. It led to a bit  of a love-in between the two clubs after Vale fans joined in the protests. The Reading protest group thanked Vale fans and Reading fans made donations to the John Rudge statue appeal at Vale Park. However, when the game was replayed, Vale lost and went on to be relegated from League One.

The clubs first met in 1926 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. Vale fans have to go back to 1996 for their last away win – Stewart Talbot scoring in a 1-0 victory.

Classic clash

On our YouTube channel (full of hundreds of classic Vale clips if you’re interested) there’s a YouTube clip of a 3-1 Vale win. We’ve embedded it below if you want to watch it.

Player connections

There is one player to appear for both clubs, but he’s not likely to feature. Youth teamer John Clarke was sold to Reading back in 2022. To date, he’s only played three times but at 21 he still has time on his hands. Other players over the years to appear for both sides include strapping central defender Bob Hazell, winger Alex Smith, forward Tony Rougier and defender Andre Bikey.

Vintage connection

It’s likely that if he’d played today, Dick “Jammer” Evans would have been a firm crowd favourite. Known for his never-say-die attitude, the locally-born winger played 100 times for the club between 1894 and 1899. The top-scorer for two seasons running, he left to join Reading in 1899 for whom he played for three seasons. He finished his career at Southampton and after retiring became a pub landlord in the city.

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 Reading manager?
When were Reading formed?
What was the score when the sides last met?
What was the score for Reading’s record loss?

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

Noel Hunt
1871
Reading 1-0 Port Vale
Reading 0-18 Preston North End

Quiz ratings

Today’s theme is Scandinavian Port Vale signings… How did you fare?

0/4 – Robin Berntsen
1/4 – Chris Mbamba (yes, he was Swedish)
2/4 – Tobias Mikaelsson
3/4 – Ville Viljanen
4/4 – Jan Jansson