January decision over Stevens’ Vale future
OXFORD boss Karl Robinson says he will review Jack Stevens’ loan at Port Vale in January. Stevens won’t play for Vale at Oxford this afternoon as part of the terms agreed between the clubs when Vale took the keeper on loan in August.
That arrangement was for a seasonlong loan but Oxford have a recall clause, something that came up when Robinson was interviewed by Oxford’s local media this week.
BBC Radio Oxford reports that, when asked if Stevens was at Vale for the season, Robinson said: “No. January we’re looking at. We’ll see. It’s a conversation we’ll have.”
Stevens is under contract with Oxford until 2025 having signed a new deal just before his loan to Vale was agreed.
He has established himself as Vale number one this season although he was rested for last weekend’s 3-2 FA Cup defeat at home to Exeter, possibly partly to give Stone some match action before this weekend’s league game.
Vale boss Darrell Clarke felt Stone could have done better with one of Exeter’s long-range goals – but also said he felt Stevens could have done better with a long-range goal in Vale’s 2-2 draw at Wycombe Wanderers four days earlier.
The manager was clearly frustrated immediately after the Exeter game but had the chance to reflect on his keepers at this week’s Friday morning press conference.
He said: “I have a fantastic goalkeeper coach, Carlo Nash, and he is working hard on the goalkeepers for areas on the game that they need to improve.
“That is no different to the outfield players, we are looking to improve and make sure performances get better and better.
“Both are great lads and very talented goalkeepers but still have attributes that they need to be better at.
“I know I said a few words after the game. I have total belief in my goalies but they are under no illusions that they have to save more shots from outside the box.
“We let a couple of goals in that they are disappointed with.
“That is great for me when you are dealing with honest players who know they should be doing a bit better with the attempts.
“But also, goalie is one of the hardest positions on the pitch. You are the last line of defence and, at times this season, the goalies have rescued us.
“So, it is by no means just picking at the faults, it is just working on the things they need to get better at.”
Clarke and director of football David Flitcroft have looked for keepers who can start moves from the back.
They brought in ‘sweeper keeper’ Lucas Covloan for the start of last season before going with Stone when Covolan lost his place in the second half of the season after he was sent off for a second time.
Stevens, aged 25, has started 14 league games since he was loaned from Oxford in August.
Clarke said: “A modern goalkeeper builds from the back.
“His distribution has to be very good, he has to be very commanding of his box, sweeping up…. there are loads of different roles now for the goalkeeper. It is not an easy task in today’s game.
“They are great workers and trainers and we have a great goalkeeper coach in Carlo Nash that is getting the best out of them and improving them.”