Port Vale produced an FA Cup giant-killing on Sunday as the League One bottom side beat Premier League Sunderland 1-0 to progress to the quarter-finals. A great day for Port Vale was also one of disappointment and embarrassment for the Black Cats and their fans, as they rarely looked like winning the game despite their superior quality. Plan A wasn’t working, and with an apparent no plan B to fall back on, Sunderland failed in a game they should have won, sending home their 3000 fans who had made the journey on short notice, disappointed to say the least.
Read More: The Greatest Footballers in History, Part Two: 1918-1939
Lack of a Plan B Contributes to Sunderland’s FA Cup Exit
The Pitch Played a Part, But is No Excuse
The pitch at Vale Park was not one for playing a passing game. It was muddy in large parts, uneven, and the ball would bobble whenever it was played at ground level. Vale are used to this, Sunderland are not, and it showed. The Black Cats had a large percentage of the possession but continued throughout to play a passing game across the defence and through the middle of the pitch. It didn’t work, and it was clear for all to see that it wasn’t working, but it appeared as though head coach Regis Le Bris and his staff had no ideas in how to change things.
Black Cats Failed to Learn in Game
Vale went long many times, causing problems for Sunderland’s defence to limit the effect of the unpredictable pitch; however, the visitors continued to play a game not suited to the surface, but the carpet-like grass they are now used to in the Premier League.
Port Vale knew that their opponents would find it difficult, and it was a big talking point leading up to the game. Sunderland appeared to ignore the warning and made several mistakes that almost cost them dear. They also struggled throughout to make meaningful chances, only really looking a threat from the occasional set piece, but in the end their usual quality was not there.
Credit must be given to the home side for how they approached the game, and they got the result and plaudits they deserved.
Hugely Disappointing, but They Can Make Amends
The team did not adapt, and their head coach did not adapt his formation or style of play until it was much too late. This was a glorious chance to make it to the latter stages of the cup and another Wembley appearance, and those who watch the next round draw will be thinking about what might have been.
It was a very disappointing day for Sunderland, and one they must learn from and come out fighting. Their fans will expect a response, and with Brighton at home next weekend and the Tyne Wear Derby against Newcastle coming up, they have a big chance to prove that this was a one-off in what was, until Sunday, an excellent campaign, full of promise and plaudits.
Captain for the game Luke O’Nien said: “We’re really disappointed. We all wanted to give our fans a cup run. We didn’t deliver. It’s always good to give credit to the winning team. I don’t care what league you’re in. They competed, they fought and they were deserved winners.
“We beat Leeds but we still went back to the drawing board and went and saw what we can deliver. Today, we’ll do the exact same.
“A big loss but football moves fast. We’ll move on and make sure we are focussed on the league now.”
