Port Vale left-back Daniel Jones believes Vale are playing better football than last year as they head to Colchester United in search of their first win of the season.

Vale started their Sky Bet League 1 campaign off to a promising start by drawing 1-1 against much-fancied Brentford last weekend.

Vale then suffered defeat in the first-round of the Capital One Cup after narrowly losing 2-1 against Walsall. Vale looked dominant for large spells of the match and Jones believes Vale have upped their footballing credentials this season. 

“I think we’ve started well, we are working hard and we are very fit.

“I think we are playing more football than last year in terms of how we have started off so far which has been very enjoyable.

“We did well against Brentford, we worked hard, I thought we played better football on Tuesday, on Saturday hopefully we can take advantage of the thumping they got on Tuesday,” he told Valiant Player.

“We go down there with the intent to win and be committed and work hard and keep the footballing side, I think we’ve got hell of a chance.”

With the addition of versatile defender Carl Dickinson, who can play left-back or centre-back many have tipped Jones to move into a more attacking role. 

Jones himself is happy to play wherever manager Micky Adams puts him although the former Sheffield Wednesday player did admit his preferred position is full-back.

Jones explaned: “I’ve just got to do a job for the team wherever the gaffer wants me, my preferred position is full-back.

“I do find myself a bit lost at left midfield, I don’t get on the ball as much because I have to get the ball then turn, whereas I like the play in front of me, I like to play off people and make runs and come from a deeper position.

“I am a lot more comfortable at full-back, the gaffer knows that but I am here to do a job for the team, if I can help the team in any way I will.”

Despite conceding three goals in two games the Vale back four have looked assured and confident in the opening two matches, Jones has praised the new centre-back pairing.

“Dicko (Carl Dickinson) and Robbo (Chris Robertson) are real no-nonsense defenders, you wouldn’t want to be playing up against them every week.

“They’ve got good experience as well, both of them and they talk, they are very vocal which is good, we had that in Pursey (Darren Purse) last year.

“We’ve all gelled as a team, there’s a lot of banter in the dressing room, we’re all together, and it’s a very happy place to be.”