Darren Moore's side will be backed by more than 1,300 Valiants as we make the trip to Bradford City on Boxing Day.
Vale come into the game off the back of a goalless draw against Carlisle United at the weekend.
On the road this season, the Valiants boast the best away record in the league. In our eleven games away from home we have won six, drawn three and lost one. Four of these away wins have come in the form of a 1-0 victory.
Gaffer's Thoughts
Here’s what Darren Moore had to say following Saturday’s draw:
“It seemed a frantic game, by both teams. Lots of transitions and giving the ball away by both teams. And, in the end, neither team could capitalise in the final third. It is more of a frustration for us, with us being the home team.”
“I said to the players that the biggest thing was some of our decision-making when it just called for a bit of composure. Especially when we got into the final third, it just seemed it was all rushed and a bit frantic.”
The Vale gaffer also spoke ahead of our Boxing Day fixture against Bradford City:
“It’s going to be a very different game, in a very different arena. It’s a team that will come with us straight from the off whereas today we faced a team that didn’t give much away so it’ll be a very, very different game than what we faced today.”
The Opposition
Bradford City currently sit 12th Sky Bet League Two with 28 points from 20 games played.
The Bantams come into the game off the back of a 3-0 defeat at Notts County. All goals came in the space of three minutes when the hosts ran riot in the first half. Prior to this loss, Bradford were four games unbeaten which came in the form of two wins and two draws.
Bradford have a decent home record so far this campaign. They have only lost once at home all season; this was back In October when Doncaster won 2-1. In their nine games at the University of Bradford Stadium, Bradford have won five, drawn three and lost one.
Who’s in charge - Graham Alexander
The 53-year-old joined the Bantams in November 2023 following the departure of Mark Hughes.
After taking the reins three months into the 2023/24 season, Alexander guided his side to a ninth-placed finish where they missed out on the play-offs by one point.
Since joining the Bantams, Alexander has taken charge of 62 games where he’s won 28 games, drawn 16 and lost 18 games.
Prior to taking the Bradford role, Alexander has accumulated just over 450 games as a manager in the EFL, in this time he’s won five Manager Of The Month awards and won two promotions, one from League Two and one from the National League.
Player to Watch
Bradford striker Andy Cook is amongst the leading scorers in the league with 10 goals so far this season. Cook has been prolific since the joined the Bantams in 2020. In his time at the club, he’s scored 68 games in 175 fixtures.
Despite scoring ten goals this season, Cook hasn’t found the net in his last two games. In both of these games, his side have lost and not scored a goal.
Bobby Pointon is another player to keep an eye out for. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has made ten starts this season, scoring twice and picking up two assists.
Richard Smallwood has played every game for the Bantams this season in the heart of his side’s midfield. Smallwood has made over 350 appearances in the EFL and adds experience both on and off the field.
Last Time We Met
Bradford City 1-2 Port Vale, Saturday 19th March 2022
The Valiants are unbeaten in our last three trips to the University of Bradford Stadium. In our last three visits we have drawn one and won two. Our latest win came in the 2021/22 season when we ran out 2-1 winners.
The Valiants took the lead early into the second half. James Wilson won the ball in the Bradford box before his low cross was turned home by Ben Garrity.
Our lead was doubled on the hour mark when James Wilson picked up the ball on halfway and raced into the box, as the angle got tighter Wilson tucked the ball under the keeper to increase his sides lead.
The hosts pulled a goal back with twenty minutes to go when Charlie Verman’s effort deflected and wrong-footed Aidan Stone to halve the deficit and set up a nervy finish.
However, the Valiants stayed resolute and picked up all three points which provided crucial in the side’s eventual promotion via the Play Offs.
Fixture Throwback
Bradford City 1-2 Port Vale, Tuesday 22 October 2019
One of the more memorable trips to Bradford came just over five years ago when the Valiants came away with three points in the most dramatic of fashions.
Vale took the lead in the 18th minute when David Worrall finished off a well-worked move with a low strike that arrowed into the bottom corner.
The hosts levelled the scores in the first half stoppage time when Daniel Devine was adjudged to have been fouled the box. James Vaughan took the penalty and dispatched his spot kick to send the sides into the break on level terms.
In the second half, Vale had Scott Brown to thank for keeping the scores level. The Vale keeper was twice on hand to save his side after he kept out efforts from Zeli Ismail and Richard Brown. Leon Legge also cleared Kelvin Mellor’s effort off the line.
After weathering the storm, Vale snatched all three points in the 93rd minute. David Worrall’s cross was cleared as far as Will Atkinson who played a good one-two with Jake Taylor before firing home from close range to earn Vale all three points and send the travelling away fans into raptures!
