8:00am Friday 5th September 2008
By Jon Murray
Young keeper Ben Hinchliffe has been given a big vote of confidence by Oxford United boss Darren Patterson.
The 20-year-old, who at the start of this week signed a new one-year deal with the club, has been thrown in at the deep end because of the injuries to Billy Turley and Jake Cole.
Cole could be out for up to six weeks after the results of his scan showed two small tears in his groin.
But Patterson says Hinchliffe is an outstanding young talent.
And although the odd mistake is inevitable from any player of his age, and particularly a goalkeeper, Patterson says he has faith in the former Preston and Derby man, who produced a good performance in Tuesday's 2-1 win at Northwich.
"This is a massive chance for him because it's been a long time since Oxford United have had a good young No 2 goalkeeper, who can learn and improve.
"The kid's got some fantastic attributes. On his day, his shot-stopping is second to none, he's competitive in the air, and he kicks the ball a mile.
"Obviously he's a young man, and in goalkeeping terms a very young man.
"He basically needs to play regularly and have some proper goalkeeping coaching, and he'll get that here.
"Alan Hodgkinson thinks he's one of the best young keepers he's seen at that age for a long time. However, he has to do the business when he's in.
"We know it's just his decision-making, and he's going to make mistakes . . . goalkeepers do, young, old, experienced or whatever, so we've just got to accept that and try to develop the boy.
"If he can develop the way we hope, he's got the chance to be a very, very good goalkeeper, but it's down to him."
Patterson added: "The biggest thing for us is that he doesn't just give us a No 2, he'll be pushing Billy. And if he gets in and does well, he's staying in. You've got to have that. I can't just drop him willy-nilly because you need that competition."
Hinchliffe did make a bad error of judgment when Barrow scored from a free-kick on the opening day of the season, but he has bounced back well, his showing this week demonstrating his potential.
"He's a fantastic talent but what he has to do is do it now consistently in games. He did it in pre-season.
"He had a very good 60 minutes in a high -ressure game against Barrow, but then had a bad 30 minutes.
"When he's made a bad decision, we're looking for him not to dwell on it.
"All goalkeepers make mistakes. I watched the Rangers-Celtic game last weekend. The Celtic keeper, who's an outstanding goalkeeper, made a basic error.
"Ben fits in finacially for us as well. We've been talking about No 2 keepers and even the local boy from Didcot wanted an absolute king's ransom to be a No 2 keeper.
"This keeper wants to be here, he's turned down more money for the opportunity here to play for Oxford United, which is something I want."
Hinchliffe said: "Oxford United's a club that's going places, so it's good to be around, and that's why I signed a 12-month deal here.
"There were other clubs in for me, two in this league and two in the league below, but Oxford was the right deal for me this time.
"Hodgy's great to work with. He's a legend in football, he knows everyone and everyone knows him.
"I'm sure working with him will push me on and make me a better goalkeeper.
"I'm almost 21 and it's going to be good to push Billy as far as I can, get my head down, work hard and see what sort of career I can build for myself."
Tomorrow, when the U's take on Kettering Town, will be Hinchliffe's home league debut for Oxford.
Cole is being treated at QPR rather than travel to Oxford each day. He might have played his last game for United, with his short-term deal set to end after three months, though Patterson doesn't feel that will be the case.
"Jake's response after the first match has been magnificent, he's got a great attitude, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him back with us.
"His injury has thrown us a bit because it means Ben's going to get the experience earlier than we thought. But he played well at Northwich and has come back very strong after Barrow."
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