'There are plenty of positives to take out of the performance and at times we did play some good football especially in the first half, if we had just taken one of the chances we had then it would have been a different game.  We are very disappointed but there are plenty of positives to take from it.

You know what you are going to get from Port Vale, they are the same all the time and a big physical side.  They get in your face and stop you from playing.  They are physical but I think we more than matched them.  I don't think we were bullied or they over ran us.  Ben Futcher told us that he thought it was a pretty even game and it was just one of those things that the ball fell to them in the box but didn't for us.

That's what a lot of games in this division are based on.  We have to get out there and set our stall out, to be solid and strong, and not to concede stupid goals  .Nobody likes to concede from a set piece.  The goal was one that could be avoided; I don't even think it was a corner in the first place.  I think it was a goal kick but we should have stopped the corner in the first place and maybe get a header on the first ball and that goal doesn't go in.  Its one of those, you are going to get them - you win some you lose some.

We've been together a few weeks now and all the lads that have come in have done really well, especially the lads that have only come into the club in the last few weeks.  They have got their fitness up really quickly.  It didn't click at times.  We look good going forward but we have to be better around the box and from outside the box to get some good deliveries in there for the lads to get on the end of things.  There is no point in being good upto 30 or 40 yards from goal and not getting anything from it.  We will work on it, it's only the first game of the season, we will work on it and we will do better.

This was my seventh first game of the season now, and it's never been any different in those seven years.  It's always tight and it's always a battle.  A goal either way wins it, nobody gets a hiding in the first game.  It could have gone for us today, we could have won 1-0 - unfortunately it was them that won.

I've been captain before, at Crewe and I was captain at Everton and at England U19 level, but first and foremost this was a surprise to get it here in the first game.  I got to the ground at 1 o'clock and Lowey told me the gaffer wanted us.  My first thought was 'what have I done now', when I sat down the gaffer just said that he was giving me the captain's armband.  I was shocked; I thought Lowey would have it because he is one of the senior players here after Futch.  The gaffer gave it to me and it was an honour for me.

It's a bit of responsibility to me but I am annoying on the pitch anyway, I never shut up when I'm playing.  The lads get sick of hearing my voice and it's talking for the sake of talking at times, but is does give you a sense of responsibility.  You have to be the one that gets in the referee's ear, calms things down and get the lads going.  I did enjoy the game but being named captain on your debut is a big thing for me.  I enjoyed it and I hope to do it again at some stage.  I'm not taking it for granted but if the gaffer gives me the armband again then I will wear it.  I'm happy to do the job and I hope I do it well.

Tuesday night is a game that we have to go there and do well because they are playing in league one, if we want to go and play in league one, then we have to go there and do well.  Sheffield Wednesday will be favourites and we go there with nothing to lose.  We won't go there to roll over, we want to give a good account of ourselves and if we can pick up a result, then even better.'

Watch the entire video interview on Shakers Player