Port Vale: Glover ready to shield youngsters from fan anger
PORT Vale boss Dean Glover claims he has been forced to shield his talented youngsters from the anger of fans frustrated by the club's downward spiral.
Former youth players James Lawrie, Chris Martin, Danny Glover, Ross Davidson and Simon Richman have all struggled to nail down a regular first-team place this season.
They have only managed 11 starts between them since the turn of the year, the same time as some fans have turned against Glover and the club's board.
While Glover's faith in his youngsters has not wavered, he admits blooding them in a team with only six home victories this season has proved a difficult task.
He explained said: "I would have liked to have developed them more this year.
"But it's been quite hostile at times at home and it's not easy coming into a team that is not doing well. It's better to bed your kids into a successful side because it's easier for them.
"They are having to learn in the hardest way possible because our home results have been bad and we have frustrated supporters.
"So I've had to protect them of late because it has got a little bit hostile around our ground."
Glover failed in his attempt to recruit a new signing before yesterday's deadline for loan moves expired.
A deal to bring in an attacking midfielder fell through yesterday afternoon after loanee Kevin Gall returned to Carlisle with an injured calf.
Glover's failure to bolster his squad for the season's run-in prompted him to withdraw Lawrie from the Northern Ireland under-21 squad preparing for a friendly against Ukraine on March 31.
The 18-year-old will now remain with Vale to boost Glover's attacking options ahead of tomorrow's League Two clash at Chesterfield.
Meanwhile, Glover has agreed to extend Kyle Perry's loan spell at Northwich Victoria for a further month.
The striker's one-month loan deal with the Blue Square Premier strugglers runs out on April 4. He has hit two goals in four appearances for Vics.
Centre-half Gareth Owen could resume training in two weeks after injuring ankle ligaments in the 1-0 home defeat by Dagenham earlier this month.
The 26-year-old has responded well to treatment and is on course for an early return.
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