Thankfully it's not a premier league match then. Also worth noting that they were both against Man Utd who possibly had a bit more class back then than Port Vale do now
Match Day Thread Port Vale FC v Sunderland AFC – Sunday 8th March 2026 - KO 13:30
- Thread starter RTB
- Start date
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Meant to be miserable down there today.
Hopefully the pitch holds up and the game goes ahead.
Hopefully the pitch holds up and the game goes ahead.
Its not as bad as I thought it was
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Although I agree we might see a few changes to the starting 11 I think ellborg will start today, the lad will be starting our next 2/3 premier games and I think he needs game time to get to his match sharpness
Safe journey to all those going and hopefully a great day for our club.
HTLs
HTLs
I really hope we aren’t playing on a dog **** pitch today, not because it doesn’t suit it but because we don’t need any stupid injuries. The likes of O’nien, Hume and Sadiki will relish playing on a waterlogged pitch I’d imagine 
I don’t know why but i think Aleksic would actually play the Xhaka role really well. He’s always looked good at receiving the ball and very aware of his surroundings. Not that it’ll happen like just a thought. If we went out to dominate the ball I could also see Le Fee sitting there and dictating the game.
I’d go with;
Ellborg
Geertruida, Alderete, O’nien, Hume.
Aleksic Sadiki Diarra
Angulo Mayenda Le Fee
Harsh on Rigg but just think Aleksic would be able to play that role and it wouldn’t mean moving Sadiki back. Loads of energy in the middle and I’d rather Sadiki in his best position than deputising with Diarra and Le Fee in the middle.
Rest Xhaka for obvious reasons and Ballard because I don’t want him rolling his ankle or something and ending on the sidelines.
I don’t know why but i think Aleksic would actually play the Xhaka role really well. He’s always looked good at receiving the ball and very aware of his surroundings. Not that it’ll happen like just a thought. If we went out to dominate the ball I could also see Le Fee sitting there and dictating the game.
I’d go with;
Ellborg
Geertruida, Alderete, O’nien, Hume.
Aleksic Sadiki Diarra
Angulo Mayenda Le Fee
Harsh on Rigg but just think Aleksic would be able to play that role and it wouldn’t mean moving Sadiki back. Loads of energy in the middle and I’d rather Sadiki in his best position than deputising with Diarra and Le Fee in the middle.
Rest Xhaka for obvious reasons and Ballard because I don’t want him rolling his ankle or something and ending on the sidelines.
It’s had a couple of days to dry out hopefully they don’t add any more water.
I think Sadiki and Hume are suspended mateI really hope we aren’t playing on a dog **** pitch today, not because it doesn’t suit it but because we don’t need any stupid injuries. The likes of O’nien, Hume and Sadiki will relish playing on a waterlogged pitch I’d imagine
I don’t know why but i think Aleksic would actually play the Xhaka role really well. He’s always looked good at receiving the ball and very aware of his surroundings. Not that it’ll happen like just a thought. If we went out to dominate the ball I could also see Le Fee sitting there and dictating the game.
I’d go with;
Ellborg
Geertruida, Alderete, O’nien, Hume.
Aleksic Sadiki Diarra
Angulo Mayenda Le Fee
Harsh on Rigg but just think Aleksic would be able to play that role and it wouldn’t mean moving Sadiki back. Loads of energy in the middle and I’d rather Sadiki in his best position than deputising with Diarra and Le Fee in the middle.
Rest Xhaka for obvious reasons and Ballard because I don’t want him rolling his ankle or something and ending on the sidelines.
Good luck with that selection mate, I wouldn't fancy our chances only playing 9 at the start.I really hope we aren’t playing on a dog **** pitch today, not because it doesn’t suit it but because we don’t need any stupid injuries. The likes of O’nien, Hume and Sadiki will relish playing on a waterlogged pitch I’d imagine
I don’t know why but i think Aleksic would actually play the Xhaka role really well. He’s always looked good at receiving the ball and very aware of his surroundings. Not that it’ll happen like just a thought. If we went out to dominate the ball I could also see Le Fee sitting there and dictating the game.
I’d go with;
Ellborg
Geertruida, Alderete, O’nien, Hume.
Aleksic Sadiki Diarra
Angulo Mayenda Le Fee
Harsh on Rigg but just think Aleksic would be able to play that role and it wouldn’t mean moving Sadiki back. Loads of energy in the middle and I’d rather Sadiki in his best position than deputising with Diarra and Le Fee in the middle.
Rest Xhaka for obvious reasons and Ballard because I don’t want him rolling his ankle or something and ending on the sidelines.
Oops already been pointed out
Two tickets have just turned up for today I’ve been told
Cheers RTB hopefully have this wrapped up by half time id rest a couple Xhaka being one don’t want to aggravate that ankle hope Rigg starts deserves a run out, I’ll go 2-0 halftime then slow the game down pass round them and finish them off, safe travels all COME ON
Hume and Sadiki are suspended, Xhaka will probably be rested.I really hope we aren’t playing on a dog **** pitch today, not because it doesn’t suit it but because we don’t need any stupid injuries. The likes of O’nien, Hume and Sadiki will relish playing on a waterlogged pitch I’d imagine
I don’t know why but i think Aleksic would actually play the Xhaka role really well. He’s always looked good at receiving the ball and very aware of his surroundings. Not that it’ll happen like just a thought. If we went out to dominate the ball I could also see Le Fee sitting there and dictating the game.
I’d go with;
Ellborg
Geertruida, Alderete, O’nien, Hume.
Aleksic Sadiki Diarra
Angulo Mayenda Le Fee
Harsh on Rigg but just think Aleksic would be able to play that role and it wouldn’t mean moving Sadiki back. Loads of energy in the middle and I’d rather Sadiki in his best position than deputising with Diarra and Le Fee in the middle.
Rest Xhaka for obvious reasons and Ballard because I don’t want him rolling his ankle or something and ending on the sidelines.
Update from RLB:
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If we needed Xhaka to help us beat Port Vale we'd have to be concerned ...
... we have a great team spirit, throughout the club, and I don't believe we'll let this opportunity pass us by.
All of these players now have the chance to play in the quarter finals and beyond.
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D’oh!! Didn’t realise we had suspensions
Morning all.
For anyone who doesn't like the TNT coverage and have access to other channels, FUBO TV and ESPN select are listed as showing our match and other FA cup games today.
For anyone who doesn't like the TNT coverage and have access to other channels, FUBO TV and ESPN select are listed as showing our match and other FA cup games today.
Looking on their forum, onevalefanco.uk, they seem very confident bordering on complacent about today and quite dismissive of us. Their big thing is the state of the pitch being described as "a leveler", so it must be pretty bad. My concern is that if it is bad I hope we don't pick up any stupid injuries because of it.
Personally I'm hoping for a couple of quick goals to put the game to bed early so we don't have to take any risks.
Personally I'm hoping for a couple of quick goals to put the game to bed early so we don't have to take any risks.
So the pitch is a "sticky-wicket" to mix up sporting metaphors...
Pity Hume is suspended, as it sounds as if slide tackles will be the norm
For Port Vale it's their cup final... they will throw everything at us and I expect a hard dogfight
As per usual these day I suppose the ref/VAR will decide the outcome.
The pitch ain't as bad as I thought it would be.
I would take a photo if I knew how to upload it lol
I would take a photo if I knew how to upload it lol