Pope and Miller can create fresh cup memories for Valiants fans
WHAT’S YOUR TEAM? Ian Woodward: Manny Oyeleke and Cristian Montano came through the reserve game unscathed, but it’s probably a bit too soon to consider either, although I do expect to see Manny on the bench.
So it’s an unchanged team for me: Brown, Clark, Smith, Legge, Rawlinson, Vassell, Joyce, Conlon, Hannant, Pope, Whitfield. Mark Porter: Brown, Clark, Smith, Legge, Rawlinson, Vassell, Joyce, Oyeleke, Hannant, Pope, Whitfield. My change from the Notts County game would be Oyeleke in for Conlon. Wayne Windsor: Has Aspo found a settled team and formation as recent results have been more promising. I’m not sure about the performances, except for Saturday, unless you are Mr Kewell, where we dominated possession had more chances and looked the better team than Notts County.
We more than deserved a point and in my opinion should have had all three.
I would hope Aspo sticks to the team that has done so well recently, but he has the decision whether or not to bring back Manny or Monty after the reserve game earlier in the week. For me, I would have them on the bench.
WHAT’S YOUR PREDICTION? Ian Woodward: I always look forward to the FA Cup and yearn for one of our “giant-killing” runs in the competition, but it seems an age since our last one and sadly, I can’t see it happening this time around.
I’d feel more confident if someone in the mound of Andy Porter - one of my old favourites - was getting in amongst them, but we look lightweight in that department, so I expect Sunderland to dominate and win it 2-0. Mark Porter: It’s been a long time since we played Sunderland and my best memory is the goal that Tony Naylor scored in the 3-1 win.
I would love to get a result like that, and I’m going to be positive and go for a 2-1 victory for the Vale with Pope and Miller scoring. Wayne Windsor: The first goal is so important. If we get it, it will give us belief and something to fight for, if we don’t then we will have to battle and stay organised to get an equaliser.
After last weekend’s late goal against it’s not impossible. I’m going for an entertaining 2-2 draw and a replay which I’m sure Mr Smurthwaite would love.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS? Ian Woodward: This cup tie takes place on Remembrance Sunday and like many people I will be thinking about the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom.
My late Uncle Alfred was one of those men whose life was cut tragically short at the age of only 21 when his ship, HMS Neptune sank off the coast of Tripoli in 1941 which resulted in the loss of 764 lives.
My late father talked a lot about Alfred, particularly his footballing exploits. Whilst playing for Rode Heath, Alfred earned a trial with Stoke City and in 1938 a letter arrived from Manchester United offering him a month’s trial.
But it was an age when football was poorly paid and he was advised to decline, but still continued to play locally. He won two Sentinel Cup winners medals, for Stoke City A in 1939 and Mossfield Colliery in 1940 when he scored twice in a 3-2 victory against his former Stoke colleagues.
In no time at all the reality of war saw Alfred called up to the Navy, giving service on several ships before his fateful posting on the Neptune.
During the past week there has been a lot of discussion, in the press and on social media regarding the wearing of poppies, mostly triggered by a certain footballer across the city, who has consistently declined to wear one.
I don’t have any problem with that at all. It’s a personal choice, it certainly shouldn’t be an expectation and I respect anyone who would rather not wear one. I just wish people would stop making a big issue of it.
I will be wearing my poppy at the game on Sunday. For my Uncle Alfred, of course, whom I feel I knew, but never had the privilege of meeting. Mark Porter: Some of the bigger teams have made the decision to make the Premier League their priority. I do think that there is so much money in football that it has taken the shine off the FA Cup for some, but not for me.
Some of my greatest memories of the Vale have been in the FA Cup. Spurs at Vale Park was an absolute classic - probably my favourite game of all time - beating Everton, taking Arsenal to penalties, beating Stoke 3-1 at Vale Park with that Dave Regis goal-bound effort getting stuck in the mud were magical moments.
If you ask the older generation the game against Blackpool in 1953/54 and the semi-final against West Brom will also be held deep in the memories of the Vale fans.
For me, this game is as exciting as when we played Spurs so I think those clubs who devalue this competition are not only trying to devalue one of the greatest domestic cup competitions in the world, but are going to deprive themselves of a decent chance of winning a fantastic competition.
We know 1988 was the year Wimbledon won the FA Cup beating Liverpool 1-0 and John Aldridge’s penalty save from Dave Beasant, a day that will be forever etched in Wimbledon’s history. Who won the league that year? Liverpool did, but most people’s memory were the winners of the FA Cup.
Finally it’s anyone’s game, they use a different ball for the FA Cup which moves differently. It’s not what they are used to week in week out. There will be a great atmosphere, the TV cameras are there - the Vale have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
For me this is everything about the FA Cup and what it means to the fans, it could become another day of heroes at Vale Park. Wayne Windsor: Just a mention for the Port Vale media guys and girls, the interviews during the week and the after-match interviews are brilliant, a breath of fresh air and gives you an insight into the team spirit, togetherness and behind the scenes of our club.
The recent video of the Notts County game also showed the commitment of the management team with their prowling of the technical area and celebrations when we scored were a delight to watch.
It’s something that fans have not experienced before and we need to build on in the coming years to get a new generation of fans to take an interest in the club.