Port Vale centre-back Ben Heneghan says the club should not be “scared” about being in League One this coming season.
The 31-year-old has spent the vast majority of his 11-year career in the third tier and is hoping to play a key role in Vale’s attempt to consolidate this term following their promotion from League Two.
He says his experience of League One should “definitely” help everyone.
“I do bring a wealth of experience, whether that’s managing the game, whatever it takes, I’ll be passing on my knowledge to the boys and I’ll be learning from them as well,” Heneghan told BBC Radio Stoke.
Playing at a higher level this season will bring increased exposure and larger crowds and Heneghan says that added pressure needs to be embraced.
“This year we’ll be going into the bigger grounds with more capacity but there’s nothing to be scared of,” he said.
“You want to play in the big grounds and feel that atmosphere and you want to be the one who wins the game or makes a goal-saving tackle.
“We’ve got those standards within us and especially us experienced lads, we won’t let it drop.
“It’ll be more technical and you’ll get a lot more lads in League One on loan from Premier League clubs and they’re coming in to make a name for themselves.
“There are so many variables and it’s more testing.”
‘Head on a stick’
Although renowned for his prowess in the air, Heneghan says he is keen to challenge the perception that “a lot of people see me as a head on a stick”.
“There’s the organisation, being in the right position covering your team mates, and communication’s a big part of my game,” he added.
“There’s so many different things – reading passes, getting on the ball, and we all have our different roles and strengths and weaknesses and we cover each other.
“The younger lads will listen to the older ones and you feel respected, which is nice.”
With long-serving defender Nathan Smith leaving Vale Park after 16 years, the club have brought in Jordan Gabriel, Liam Gordon and Cameron Humphreys to compensate.
Heneghan, set to play in the middle of a back three in boss Darren Moore’s starting XI, says establishing an understanding with the club’s new players is going nicely.
“We’ve lost some big characters – ‘Smudge’ going is a strange feeling because he was ‘Mr Port Vale’ but we’ve got new bodies in and they’re great lads,” he said.
“We’ve started on the unit work already and it’s going well.
“Whatever the team is, everyone in this group will back each other. The competition drives the standard.”