Heneghan confident Vale can 'go on a run'

Port Vale defender Ben Heneghan said the squad are confident they can turn their season around under new manager Jon Brady.

Brady, 50, was appointed on January 6 after the sacking of Darren Moore, and led Vale to FA Cup and EFL Trophy wins before a defeat at Mansfield Town on Saturday.

The Valiants are bottom of League One and 11 points adrift of safety with 22 games remaining.

"We have a good squad here," Heneghan told BBC Radio Stoke. "We've got some really good individuals, and we are a good team. I know that once we click I'm sure we'll go on a run."

He added: "Yes, position-wise, [it] isn't great. We take accountability for that. Players have to hold their hands up and say, 'It's down to us as well.'

"If you make a mistake, you've got to be held accountable. That's the game. On the other side, if you do something really good, we'll let you know."

Brady has switched from Moore's back three system to a back four, and centre-half Heneghan - who told BBC Stoke in the summer that he wants fans and critics to see him as more just "a head on a stick" - said he is comfortable with that.

"I enjoy playing the four, playing the three. I've played it many times throughout my career. Is it a little bit different? Yeah, potentially, but at the end of the day, I just want to defend and keep the ball out of the net.

"We've not got as many clean sheets as we would have liked this year, but just doing my part, be it leading, getting that ball to the midfield who are the creative ones, getting it down the wings to the flyers, it comes from all aspects."

Vale will celebrate the club's 150th anniversary this weekend in the home game against Exeter City, and Heneghan said it could give them an important boost.

"Its a part of the history of the club. Its an honour and a privilege to be part of that. Many years in the future when I look back, my name will be on there as someone involved in that special day.

"So I'm hoping we can make it extra special and get three points. Exeter will be a tough game. I thought we were really good in the first half against Mansfield. Obviously, that changed, but we need to focus on putting that into 90 minutes."

Meanwhile, Mo Faal's loan agreement has been cut short with the forward returning to parent club Wrexham to undergo treatment on an injury.

The 22-year-old joined the Valiants on a season-long loan in August 2025 and made 23 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals.