Goalkeeper looks ahead to Saturday’s return to Vale Park after helping Darrell Clarke’s side to secure a point at Barnsley on Tuesday night.
- Jack Stevens | “We can take positives from Tuesday to build the consistency we need”
- Port Vale goalkeeper discusses his loan move from Oxford United, Player of the Match performance against Barnsley and building consistency just over a month into his Vale Park career
- Stevens: “Me and Nashy [Carlo Nash, goalkeeping coach] get on really well; I love the intensity of his work, his analysis and that is only going to make me better and improve this season. We look at everything; he calls me after each game and then I’ll go in on the Monday and review things that we can improve, things that I have done well and that will only make me better.”
Port Vale goalkeeper Jack Stevens says Darrell Clarke’s side will continue to develop and use the positives from their start to the League One campaign as the group settles into life back in the third tier.
Stevens, who joined the Vale in August on loan from Oxford United, told iFollow The Vale that he has been pleased to build a run of games, most recently being voted as the Vale supporters’ Player of the Match for his performance at Barnsley.
“I have settled in really well; the lads, the gaffer and the staff have been brilliant with me – I have been made to feel comfortable and at home from day one,” he explained.
“It has been nice to hit the ground running, build a rhythm with the games coming thick and fast and that is important as a goalkeeper.
“I think the structure of the defence is good, obviously I would like to start keeping more clean sheets because clearly that gives you more chance of winning matches.
“I think it is always nice when you make a few saves and help towards a positive result. We nearly nicked it at the end as well but their keeper made a great save.
“We will take the positives and hopefully get the consistency that we need.”
Stevens and fellow stopper Aidan Stone have been working closely with goalkeeping coach Carlo Nash, who joined the Vale this summer.
And Stevens says the former Premier League goalkeeper has been a positive influence in the early stages of their working relationship.
“Me and Nashy get on really well,” he added. “I love the intensity of his work, his analysis and that is only going to make me better and improve this season.
“We look at everything; he calls me after each game and then I’ll go in on the Monday and review things that we can improve, things that I have done well and that will only make me better.”