Dan Jones: Port Vale camaraderie is keeping League One survival hopes alive says defender

Dan Jones joined Port Vale from Salford in June 2021

Port Vale defender Dan Jones says the strong camaraderie in the squad helps them cope with their relegation fight and fuels belief they can stay up.

Vale are next-to-bottom in League One, six points from safety with 10 games remaining.

They are also yet to win under new boss Darren Moore in the seven games since he was appointed.

"We are a good set of lads and we do get along on and off the pitch," Jones told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We want to work for each other. It's been hard and not always gone right and we're disappointed with that."

Vale, who take on play-off chasing Oxford United on Saturday, have only managed to pick up two points under Moore in draws against relegation rivals Fleetwood - where they conceded a 93rd-minute equaliser - and Tuesday's goalless game at Leyton Orient.

Jones said their difficult run of results had led to some frank exchanges in the dressing room but their closeness made sure nothing ever got out of hand.

"We do have bust-ups and there are words and stuff like that but afterwards we shake hands, cuddle, or whatever, and it's put to bed," he said.

"It is there [the togetherness] - everyone wants to go in the same direction it's just working out how we do that.

"You've just got to remember you're here for a reason. People have brought you in and you are playing for a reason.

"We've conceded some silly goals recently and it's trying to bounce back from that.

"You've just got to think you're doing it for the rest of the lads - those on the pitch, those on the bench, the management and the crowd, you're doing it for everyone.

"If everyone pulls together in that one direction, I do feel we can get out of this position we're in. No matter who we're playing we've got to go for it."

Jones is in his third season at Vale Park and has had to cope with his fair share of fitness issues.

He missed the best part of six months this season through illness and injury but says that has also helped the mental side of his game - another important factor in trying to avoid relegation.

"Mentally I think I've improved a lot," the 29-year-old said. "If you let yourself get down and can't come back from certain situations then that's going to hamper you.

"The injuries I've had have been hard - when you're out for a long time and you don't know when you'll be back. It comes back to that mental resilience that one day you're going to be back doing what you want to do."