Vale boss looks ahead to Saturday’s League One clash at Oxford United.
- Darrell Clarke | “We are more than a match for most teams in this division and we will be looking for the same on Saturday.”
- Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke looks ahead to his side’s League One clash at Oxford United
- Manager discusses goalkeeping situation, with the Vale set to be without on loan goalkeeper Jack Stevens, who is ineligible to play against his parent club
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke is looking for his side to once again showcase their ability to compete in League One when they head to Oxford United on Saturday.
Karl Robinson’s side are four unbeaten, having negated some challenging away fixtures after a slow start to the campaign.
Having finished in the top eight on four of their past season in League One, the Us are generally recognised as a side with an eye on promotion to the Championship and Clarke says while he is mindful of the quality of the opposition, he will be looking for his side to again show they are placed in the top half of the table on merit.
“Oxford have a tremendous squad,” Clarke said. “Karl’s teams – he’ll be frustrated with this – but they haven’t had a great start over the last couple of seasons but then they fly.
“They are a very good, possession-based team and I had Matty Taylor and Billy Bodin at Bristol Rovers and sold them both for towards £1million. So they have a high calibre of player within the squad but we are there to go and try to get the three points.
“We are more than a match for most teams in this division and we will be looking to do the same.”
Aidan Stone will feature in goal for the Vale at the Kassam Stadium, in the absence of Jack Stevens, who cannot feature against his parent club as per the terms of his loan agreement.
Clarke stated after last weekend’s defeat to Exeter City in the Emirates FA Cup that he was disappointed that four of the Vale’s last five conceded goals had come from outside of the penalty area.
And while the challenge to improve remains, the manager stated he has been generally pleased with both of his goalkeepers.
“I have a fantastic goalkeeping coach at the club in Carlo Nash and he is working hard with the goalkeepers on areas of their games which they need to improve on,” he explained. “It is no different to our outfield players that we are looking to improve and make sure performances get better.
“Both keepers are great lads, both are very talented goalkeepers and still have attributes in their game that they need to be better at.
“I know I said a little bit after Saturday’s game but I have total belief in my goalkeepers. They’re under no illusions that they have to save more shots from outside the area; they’re disappointed in them and that is great for me, when you are dealing with honest players. Also, goalkeeper is one of the hardest positions on the pitch because you are the last line of the defence and at times they have rescued us this season.
“A goalkeeper builds from the back, their distribution has to be very good, a keeper has to be very commanding of his box, sweep up – there are loads of different roles for a goalkeeper now.
“They’re great trainers with a great work ethic and in Carlo they have a coach who is getting the best out of them and improving them.”