Brad is keeping us on our toes, says Sam
SLOCOMBE’S PRAISE FOR FOXES YOUNGSTER WHO IS ON LOAN WITH MAGPIES
SAM Slocombe says Leicester City loanee Brad Young has brought “huge” competition for the Notts County keepers.
The 20-year-old joined the Magpies from the Premier League side at the start of the campaign.
But Slocombe’s fantastic form has restricted Young to only one appearance this season, coming in the 3-2 defeat by Coalville Town in the FA Cup.
Slocombe has kept nine clean sheets in the opening 20 National League games, bettering the Magpies’ total by five compared to this stage last season.
He has established himself as the number one under Notts head coach Luke Williams after competition last season from Vitezslav Jaros and Anthony Patterson.
And while Slocombe understands the frustration Young may have about not playing as many minutes this season, he insists that he provides tough competition for himself and fellow goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks.
“I think first and foremost what you need to know about Brad is that he is just as disappointed about not playing many games,” said Slocombe.
“He probably came here want
ing to play football and improve his experience.
“He is in a position where he hasn’t had those opportunities as much as he wants but the biggest thing is that his demeanour, his attitude and what he brings every day to the training ground is huge.
“I think what he has brought is massive competition not only for myself but for Tiernan too, so that has helped and improved their levels collectively.
“I have been in this game long enough to know if you’re not at it and focused, you are not going to be in the team for that long.
“So, whether it be Brad or Tiernan, if they’re on it and I am not, I am not going to last that much longer in the team.”
Young regularly returns to the Foxes’ Seagrave training ground to take part in sessions with their staff to monitor his development while out on loan.
And while Slocombe started his career when Young was only eight years old, he explained that he will continually ask him questions about his sessions at Leicester, adding that the work done with goalkeeper coach Tom Weal is helping him improve for when he returns to the King Power Stadium.
“The competition he brings is huge,” Slocombe added.
“I know he is only young but I will ask him questions about what they do at Leicester and the keepers that he works with because they have really good experience.
“I will be asking him questions and he will be asking them back.
“I know for a fact he will be frustrated he is not playing games but he has been fantastic. And it has been a fantastic learning experience for him. I hope it pays dividends for him in the future.”