Vale striker wants a big one - or SToke

All eyes will be on the FA Cup draw this afternoon when Vale’s third round opponents will becaome known.

The fans’ opinions are divided on who they would like Vale to be drawn against, but many feel the same as Vale striker Tom Pope, who says he would like a big Premier League team – or Stoke!

“I think at this stage now if we get a Championship or decent League One side is a bad draw really, we want a good Premier League side or a poor side to get us into the fourth round

“Most of the fans would like Stoke either at home or away. It’s been a while since the two sides met and I am sure the fans would be excited if that could happen.

“But we aren’t that lucky. I think if we had beaten Walsall in the Capital One Cup this year we would have played Stoke next. It’s been a while so hopefully we can get them.

“They are the games you work hard to get the chance to play in. I was lucky enough at Crewe to play at Anfield in the fifth round of the Carling Cup in front of about forty thousand.

“It makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck to experience an atmosphere like that so hopefully we can get a decent Premier League club away and the Vale fans can go in their numbers and have a great day out.”