The Cup week has brought some respite for Darren Moore but now it’s back to the harsh reality of the League. Here’s our preview.
Vale viewpoint
Essentials
- Opposition: Bradford City
- Date: Tuesday December 9th, 7.45pm
- Competition: League One
- Viewing guide: Sky Sports in the UK, live on PVTV overseas
Talking points
Who makes the starting line-up?
There were a host of changes and a more attacking line-up for the two cup games. It saw the Valiants adopt a back four and a number of pacy forwards to test the opposition. It resulted in six goals and two wins. So, the question is – will Darren Moore keep faith for the League or will he flip back to a more cautious formation?
Who starts in goal?
Joe Gauci made mistakes against Lincoln and Ben Amos has done little wrong in the cups. Which one starts on Tuesday?
Who starts upfront?
The two forwards to benefit most from this week’s games appear to be Ben Waine and Ruari Paton with two goals apiece. It’s surely time to give Paton, in particular, a run of starts.
Known injury list
Ben Garrity, Mitch Clark, Jordan Gabriel and Liam Gordon are all long-term injured.
Possible Vale line-up (3-5-2)
Amos – John, Heneghan, C.Hall, Headley – Byers, Ojo – Waine, Paton, G.Hall – Cole
Ben Amos – pushing for a League start
Opposition briefing
Essentials
- Name: Bradford City
- Manager: Graham Alexander
- Stadium: Valley Parade
Need to know
Meet the manager
54 year-old Graham Alexander has been in charge of Bradford since November 2023, steering them to League One at the end of last season. His previous clubs include Fleetwood Town, Scunthorpe United, Salford City, Motherwell and MK Dons – as he approaches 600 games as a manager. His spell with Bradford has produced 58 wins from 177 games in charge.
Recent form
Moderate. After a poor run of form, City has won two in a row in the League. As a result, they remain in second place in the Table.
Last match
A 1-0 away win over Plymouth Argyle at the weekend.
Manager Graham Alexander
Opposition history
Essentials
- Record appearance holder: Cecil Podd, 502
- Record goalscorer: Bobby Campbell, 143
- Record win: 11-1 vs Rotherham Utd, 1928
Over the years
Brief History
The club was founded in 1903 and was immediately elected into the Football League. They were promoted into the first division in 1908 and won the FA Cup final in 1911. In 1999 they reached the Premier League where they enjoyed a two year stay.
Stadium
Valley Parade was built in 1886 originally as the home of a rugby club. That club changed codes in 1903 and became Bradford City with Valley Parade as their home ground. It has a current capacity of more than 24,000.
The Valley Parade stadium
Archive
This site is thirty years old and has thousands of posts. Here are a couple to feature the opposition.
Head-to-head
How it stands
- Vale wins: 36
- Draws: 33
- Vale losses: 45
Previous games
Fixture history
The two sides first met in 1903 when it ended in a comprehensive 5-3 win for the Valiants. The goalscorers were Tom Coxon (2), Adrian Capes, Tom Simpson and an own-goal. The return match was a 1-1 draw, The clubs last met during the 2021-22 with Vale unbeaten during both fixtures.
Last time we met
Vale earned a vital 2-0 victory back in April thanks to goals from Mitch Clark and Lorent Tolaj.
Mitch Clark – his first Vale goal was against Bradford
Devante Cole in Bradford colours
Played for both
Player connections
There is one on either side. Striker Devante Cole is facing one of his former clubs while former loanee Will Swann is in the Bradford squad.
Vintage connection
Forward Ron Futcher earned cult status at Vale Park after he joined in 1988 following his signing from Bradford City. Futcher had joined the Bantams for £40,000 in 1987 and scored 23 times in 53 appearances. Rudge infamously gazumped Mansfield Town to Futcher’s signature and the veteran proved the ideal foil to Darren Beckford as the side romped to promotion in 1989. Futch scored 23 times in 69 games and (another Rudge masterstroke) was then sold for a £25,00 profit to Burnley.
Predict the score
Have your say
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
Join the debate:
The Vale Park stadium
Test your knowledge
Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz
Who is the current Bradford City manager?
In what year was the club formed?
What was the score when the two sides last met?
Which Vale striker has previous played for Bradford?
In what year was the club formed?
What was the score when the two sides last met?
Which Vale striker has previous played for Bradford?
(answers below – no cheating)
Quiz answers
Graham Alexander
1903
Port Vale 2-0 Bradford City
Devante Cole
Quiz ratings
In homage to Devante Cole, Will Swann and Ron Futcher, today’s theme is strikers who played for both clubs. How did you fare?
0/4 – Terry Owen
1/4 – Mark Cullen
2/4 – Kian Harratt
3/4 – Billy Paynter
4/4 – Lee Mills
John was outstanding against Bristol especially in the second half and deserved the MOTM. I can’t say I’m a big fan of Byers and Ojo in central midfield, they’re to similar, I’d much sooner have Croasdale or Walters in there instead of Byers. We are also desperate for a decent goalkeeper. As much as I want the Vale to win. long term I just can not see Darren Moore keeping us up, so for me it’s imperative there’s a change at the top to give someone else a fighting chance. The teams down there with us will all at some point, like us, have to make decisions to improve their chances of staying up, and if Vale fall further behind we will have big problems. It may sound strange but Vale are due a luck 1-0 win against the run of play, and this might just be the one.