Slav: “We know he is good, he knows he is good”

Slaven Bilic has singled out Reece Oxford for a special word thus perhaps suggesting the youngster is very much in his mind for tomorrow’s clash at Everton.

Slav goes back to his former club with a defensive crisis on his hands but Oxford looks set to become part of the rescue plan.

The manager said:”“He is young, a kid, we shouldn’t forget that. He needs a tap on the shoulder sometimes, but he is very calm, part of that generation that is young and brave and confident.”

And he drew the comparison with Spurs midfielder Dele Alli adding to London24.com: He doesn’t think about mistakes. Like Dele Alli, it is very common with young players.

“You watch Alli on the pitch, every time he gets the ball he wants to pass forward. He doesn’t want to go backwards or sideways and isn’t worried about mistakes. Even when he came on against us the other day.”

Returning to Oxford he added: “We know he is good, he knows he is good. “You don’t do bungee jumping when you are 47, you do it when you are 17. That is the same with mistakes in football and we get that.”