Nottingham Forest loanee reflects on his performance on debut as the Vale draw 0-0 at Cheltenham Town.

• Aaron Donnelly | “Keeping a clean sheet important for me”
• Port Vale’s on loan Nottingham Forest defender reflects on his league debut
• Donnelly: “The lads have been unbelievable; welcoming me in, the staff the same – getting around me, welcoming me in and showing me around the place.”

Port Vale defender Aaron Donnelly says he was “buzzing” to get the call for his league debut and equally delighted to help Darrell Clarke’s side to keep a clean sheet as the Vale were held to a 0-0 draw at Cheltenham Town.

Speaking post-match with BBC Radio Stoke and the Sentinel, Donnelly said:

“I was absolutely buzzing to get the shout and start my first league game. Cros [Andy Crosby] and the gaffer told me to play my own game, build my way into the game and that is what I just tried to do.

“I knew Cros from before through the Northern Ireland setup and that played a key factor for me in joining the club. The way we played at Northern Ireland is the same way Port Vale play here and I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Cros.

“The lads have been unbelievable; welcoming me in, the staff the same – getting around me, welcoming me in and showing me around the place.

“They changed formation and looked to press us high and tried to win high regains against us but I thought we played well throughout the whole game, first half we dominated possession and second half was more of a battle but I thought we came out on top.

“Keeping a clean sheet was probably the most important thing for me; the way we play, we like to attack but the most important thing for me was the clean sheet.”

Donnelly impressed on the left of the back three and praised the support of fellow defender Nathan Smith on and off the pitch in his first week at Vale Park.

It was almost a dream debut for the Northern Ireland youth international as he fired a powerful first half effort towards goal only to be denied by Luke Southwood in the hosts’ goal.

“I saw that they were trying to play the ball over the top and I stepped in, I could hear the fans behind me shouting to have a shot and it was a good save from the goalkeeper,” he added.

“I think our communication was good; me, Smudge [Nathan Smith] and [Lewis] Cass across the back, I thought we were all excellent today. In the air, it was a tough battle against their striker, who was a big lad who wanted to compete in duels, I thought I did well.

“Smudge is a great lad; when I came in he got around me and told me I would have a great time here; he was telling me about the previous Forest players that had come on loan to Port Vale and had a really good time, and if I buy into the culture, it will all go well for me.”