OFF STEAM By JON MURRAY

THE heated dressing-room exchange following Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Port Vale could do Oxford United's players some good, according to manager Malcolm Shotton.

The paint was peeling from raised voices and accusations that certain players were not doing their job after a crushing defeat which leaves United among the relegation places in Division 1.

Shotton said he largely took a back seat as it unfolded. "It was a clear-the-air meeting between the players and quite a few were taking a pop at each other.

"I was more interested in listening to what they were saying to each other.

"When things are not going right, you get that - defenders having a go at strikers, strikers having a go at defenders, midfielders joining in and having their say.

"I just wished they'd said some of these things at the start of the season.

"But there's nothing wrong with that kind of talk. It can be healthy at times because it does clear the air, and we need a healthy atmosphere in the dressing room.

"I've been in that position personally as a player. In fact in the dressing room I used to spout off more than most players."

Shotton said he could not fault his players for effort but they were paying dearly for not being able to put away chances.

"The boys worked hard, the attitude was right and their fitness spot-on. We just lack that little bit of extra quality up front."

Story date: Tuesday 20 April

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.