Ben Herd / Ben Herd / 14 April 2010 / Leave a comment " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">Free Bet View Market

Heartache for Herdy at the weekend but at least he's staying positive. Meanwhile, narcissists beware - Port Vale skipper Tommy Fraser discusses his hopes for the rest of the season.

"The manager put the whole squad on the transfer list after a third consecutive loss, but afterwards we went on a 12 game unbeaten run, so you could say the lads reacted well!"

Our recent rich vein of form continued last Saturday with an impressive performance to earn a 1-1 draw away to Port Vale. Unfortunately, I sustained a nasty ankle injury which saw me leave the stadium by ambulance rather than the team coach.

Thankfully, the injury isn't as serious as first feared and I have set myself the target of playing again this season. I must thank the St. John's ambulance staff for looking after me by the side of the pitch on Saturday, and also for the gas and air they allowed me - that stuff is brilliant and I was well and truly out of the game on it! Enough about my sore ankle - this week in the hot seat for betting.betfair is Port Vale's club captain Tommy Fraser...

So Tommy, what did you think of Saturday's game?

Aldershot are one of the better teams that we have played this season, Rochdale being the other decent side we've faced. Aldershot seemed very well organised, got the ball down and played some decent stuff. I thought that a draw was probably a fair result. Obviously, at the start of the game we would have liked the three points for our push towards the play-offs, but a point might prove vital come the end of the season. One thing's for sure, if we do get to the play-offs we will want to avoid Aldershot.

How have you adapted to life in the Potteries, and how would you describe your first season at the club?

I knew Mickey Adams from his time at my previous club, Brighton, and he wanted to sign me as soon as he got the Vale job. He also told me that I would be captain so it was a too good an opportunity to turn down. Off the field I am fairly settled, I have moved my missus up here and we both enjoying living up here, although it was a bit of a culture shock at first as I had lived in Brighton for the last 20 years. From a professional point of view, at the start of the season I wanted to repay the manager's faith in me by performing consistently and I think I have done so. Port Vale is a big club with a decent stadium and a good fan base, so the aim from day one has been to get into the play-offs. I wouldn't have signed for the club if they weren't going forward, so we have a few games left to really push for the play-offs.

How did it feel when Mickey Adams put the entire squad on the transfer list?

It certainly sent out a statement to us! It was in mid-September when the transfer window was closed, I don't think he would have done it had it been in January! It all came about after a third consecutive loss, but after he put us on the list, we went on a 12 game unbeaten run, so you could say the lads reacted well!

What targets do you have in your career?

Like a lot of players in Leagues One and Two, I want to play at the highest level possible; I will keep trying to make it happen with my performances on the pitch. I was involved at Brighton when they were in the Championship and League 1, so I know what it takes to play at that level, so hopefully I'll make it happen.

Finally, who would get your vote for Port Vale player of the season?

That's an easy one....Lee Collins; he has been the most consistent player for us this season. He is equally adept to playing at centre-half or full-back and it is not surprising to hear that Championship clubs are after him.

Football

Favourite Premier League Player? Patrick Vieira
Favourite player outside the Premier League? Lionel Messi
Manager you'd most like to work under? Jose Mourinho
Club you'd most like to play for? Arsenal

Best mate in Football? Tommy Elphick
Messiest eater? Lee Collins
Biggest ladies man? Lewis Haldane - Thinks he is anyway!
Worse Dressed team-mate? Joe Anyon

Non-football

Dream date? Jessica Alba
Favourite TV programme? Entourage
Favourite shop? Dirty Harry's in Brighton
Worst vice? I swear too much.
Biggest pet hate? People who look in the mirror too much - Like Lewis Haldane!

50/50

Chinese or Curry? Chinese
Pepsi or Coke? Coke
BMW or Audi? Audi
Pro Evo or Fifa? Pro Evo
Michael Buble or Akon? Michael Buble

Tags: Aldershot Town, Ben Herd, League Two football betting, Micky Adams, Port Vale, Tommy Fraser