Wednesday night's game against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal will be broadcast to a huge TV audience via Sky Sports, with lead commentator Seb Hutchinson and Arsenal legend Alan Smith heading to Vale Park. We spoke to both men ahead of the game in this exclusive Q&A.
Seb Hutchinson
Firstly Seb, just how much are you looking forward to tonight’s tie?
“In my opinion, this is what cup football is all about. Cup ties featuring teams from the same division (before the Quarter-Final stage at least) don't carry the same lustre in my opinion. This fixture in particular is likely to be a once-in-a-generation experience for both sets of supporters.”
It's our biggest home attendance for almost 30 years - it must be fantastic to be part of an occasion that will mean a lot to the club and local community…
“Absolutely, a Premier League giant like Arsenal coming to the area is something that excites people, especially with the possibility of knocking them out! Many supporters weren't even born the last time the clubs met, and before those FA Cup meetings in the late nineties, you'd have to be in your late nineties to have even been around for the previous encounter!”
You’ll know all about this community already - are we right in saying you went to Staffordshire University?
“I did indeed! Twenty years ago (goodness!) I started a Masters in Sports Broadcast Journalism, so spent a year living in the area. For a Londoner, it was a cultural education. For starters, I blimmin’ loved oatcakes, and the nights out in Hanley were eventful...”
Give us a bit of an insight into your preparations - how long will it take you to get up to speed on both sides ahead of the game, and what does that process look like?
“When it comes to prep, I'm so invested in football that my prep is always rolling! For a team like Vale who I don't cover very often, I will give at least 80% of my prep time to them - compared to Arsenal who I cover regularly and are in the spotlight more often. From the moment I know I'll be covering a team for the first time, or for the first time in at least a season, I'll do a database of the squad and staff from scratch. I'll also watch as much match footage of the team as I can. I'll wait until as close to the game as I possible to keep across news stories, stats and general talking points. Things change so quickly in football there isn't much point researching things that could be out of date a week later.”
We’ve already seen an upset or two in this season’s competition. As someone who covers plenty of games, do you think the magic of domestic cup competitions is still very much alive and kicking?
“The richest clubs have huge and talented squads now, so the chances of catching them on an off day are rare. However, that rotation can destabilise a team's cohesion and if they aren't ‘at it’ then they'll certainly be in for a shock. From my experience, regardless of result, the underdog always has a good spell in the game that the fans can get behind.”
Arsenal will no doubt be taking this game seriously too, as a real opportunity for them to win another piece of silverware this season…
“This is a competition Arsenal are aiming to win but it is also one they have traditionally looked to rotate in. That seems even more likely considering the transfer business they've done this summer, with senior players keen for minutes. Add to that elite young talents like Miles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman, and whatever team they choose there will be some top players out on that Vale Park pitch.”
Finally then - we won’t ask you to predict the score, but what do you think supporters can expect this evening?
“You're right not to ask me for score predictions! Arsenal will have the ball for the majority of the match, are defensively excellent and pretty good from set pieces! It's a David v Goliath match up, but don't forget how that story ended.”
Alan Smith
Firstly Alan, as a former player, just how special are Round Three ties like these, under the floodlights, when it comes to the English game?
“I love these occasions, it’s what helps make English football special. I remember going to places like Doncaster and Chester at this stage of the competition with Arsenal. You were always a little fearful of getting turned over!”
Do you still get that same buzz for games like these, even from the gantry?
“Perhaps not the same buzz, but a buzz nonetheless. I’ll never forget the scenes at Grimsby in the last round when Manchester United got dumped out. You could feel the absolute joy of the fans from up on the gantry. There’s nothing like a cup upset.”
Of course, you won this competition with Arsenal back in ‘93. Many will remember it for that Steve Morrow incident, but what was that day like for you?
“The day wasn’t as happy for me as you’d imagine because I started on the bench. I was going through a rough patch so watched a lot of the match from the sidelines, which was a great disappointment. Not many of us saw the Stevie Morrow incident but then Tony Adams explained what happened!”
Fast forward to present day, and just how eager will Arsenal be to get their hands on the trophy again this season?
“There’s pressure on Mikel Arteta to win a trophy this season and this would be a good place to start. It has been a launch pad in the past for several teams to go on and win more in the future so the occasion will not be taken lightly.”
You’d left Arsenal before they last came to Vale Park in 1998, but what are your memories of the Port Vale teams of that era under John Rudge?
“I think I was actually at that FA Cup tie at Vale Park, either for the Daily Telegraph or Sky! I remember Vale pushing the Gunners hard, with Neil Aspin and Gareth Ainsworth leading the charge. Everyone knew John Rudge. He had built a fine reputation in the game.”
It’s a tie that means a lot to Vale supporters and the local community - you must be looking forward to what will be a fantastic atmosphere?
“I am! Premier League grounds are, of course, wonderful stadiums but it’s always great to visit places a little further down the pyramid where there’s probably a closer bond between supporters and the club. If it’s half as exciting as the Grimsby game, we’re in for a real treat.”
And finally - in your experience, what’s going to be the key for both sides if they’re to get a positive result?
“Port Vale have got to be positive. Play their normal game without fear and work incredibly hard. They might need a bit of luck somewhere along the way, but they’ve got to believe, as well as hope that Arsenal suffer an off-day.”