Bennett midweek

Port Vale are currently enjoying a strong run of form in all competitions, losing just one of their last 12, and Bennett admits that it's important not to become complacent.

John Askey's side currently find themselves eighth in the Sky Bet League Two table, and can move into a play-off place with a win at Scunthorpe United this weekend, and Bennett says that the squad’s work ethic has been a large part of their success so far this campaign.

Victory against Carlisle United on Saturday made it five wins in six in all competitions for the Valiants, yet the Vale forward emphasised that there are still improvements to be made and the performances can be even better.

With the Vale currently one of the in-form sides in the division, Bennett explained how enjoyable it is coming into training and continuing to work hard.

“We’ve been playing well, and we’ve been getting good results, so everyone’s enjoying coming into training and working hard just enjoying it whilst we’re on top.

“We’re not getting too ahead of ourselves, we’re still keeping our feet firmly on the ground and building. We know we can still and improve and still get better, performance wise we can still do better, we’re never too up, we’re never too down, we just keep concentrating on ourselves.

“We’re a hard-working team first and foremost, that’s what has got us results, we work hard for each other and our quality has shined through at the time that we’ve needed it to. It’s the work ethic between the lads and the aura that we’ve got in the team as a whole, as I’ve said we’ve got a good set of lads and we all work for each other.”

The 28-year-old was one of Askey's summer signings and seemed to have no trouble sttling in. He scored two goals in his first three league appearances for the Valiants, one of those coming four minutes into his first start for the club agaisnt Forest Green, yet the Vale number 21 admits that his performances of late haven’t matched the standard that he set at the beginning of the campaign.

With Mark Cullen returning to full fitness recently, as well as the likes of Tom Pope and Jordan Archer available to step in at any time, Bennett emphasises that he is willing to do all he can to keep improving to do his best for the side.

Bennett was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet during the Vale’s 2-1 win against Carlisle on the weekend, with the opposition keeper making numerous sharp saves to keep him out, but the Vale forward hopes that he brings other qualities that helps the side win games.

“I probably got in the side a bit earlier than I thought to be honest. I thought I started off well, last few performances probably haven’t been up to the standard that I’ve been at, but that’s something that I’m willing to get my head down and keep improving.

“I’ll do as much as I can whilst I’m on the pitch, I’ll always work as hard as I can and do my best for the team. Tom Pope and Mark Cullen are all ready to step in, and Jordan [Archer], the gaffer has got attacking options how are all doing brilliant. I know that even though I’m not scoring goals, I’ve got to give something else to the team that’s keeping me in the side.

“I hope I bring something different to the side that’s helping us get results at the minute, that’s what I’m concentrating on. I can improve, I know that, and that’s what I’m trying to do every day."