Defender speaks to the press ahead of Saturday’s trip to Oxford United, watch the full interview on the club’s official YouTube channel ☝️

• Mal Benning | “We can’t take our foot off the gas, we have to be on it every game.”
• Port Vale defender discusses Darrell Clarke, Oxford United, his time with the club – including Wembley winner – and squad rotation
• Benning: “I think we are improving; there are still times in games where we have to suss out the gameplan we need to implement at the time, but we are developing well.”

Port Vale defender Mal Benning covered a variety of matters when sitting down with the press on Friday morning ahead of this weekend’s trip to Oxford United.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke’s Phil Bowers on the progress the Vale have made in the opening three months of the campaign, Benning said:

“We are developing as a team; we are not the finished product and there are always areas to improve.

“I think we are improving; there are still times in games where we have to suss out the gameplan we need to implement at the time.

“We are developing well and hopefully we keep this going and pick up more results in the league.

“There are quality teams in the league; from ten years ago to now, the quality in League One is ridiculous with some of the players involved.

“Oxford made the Play-Offs last season and there isn’t an easy game at all. You can’t take your foot off the gas; you have to be on it every game.”

Benning also discussed how he is living his life away from the game to ensure he is ready when called upon for Darrell Clarke’s side, and equally how the manager’s approach of treating each match as a project keeps each individual sharp in ensuring they are ready if and when selected.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE ON OUR OFFICIAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL.