Oxford United goalkeeper Billy Turley (pictured) has said that he is a much calmer player than ever before.

But don't ask the U's defenders what they think!

Turley, renowned for his vocal lambasting of players, has revealed he is a calmer character this season because there are so many youngsters in the side, and as manager Darren Patterson has told him, they need encouragement rather than rollickings.

"It's hard to rant and rave because there are a lot of young players in the team," he said.

"Darren wants me to just look after the back three so I'm not ranting and raving so much.

"You've got to encourage the young ones . . . we had another lad (Declan Benjamin) making his debut - I don't think he's ever trained with the first team. That shows the injury crisis we have."

Turley was delighted with his showing against Ebbsfleet last week, when he pulled off two stunning saves to ensure his side claimed a point.

"When I'm called upon, that's what I'm there for, it's what I train all week for," he said.

"I'm just glad I contributed because I felt we didn't deserve to lose the game.

"With the first one, I don't think the lad realised how much time he had. I like those sorts of saves with your feet because they're the difficult ones for a goalkeeper.

"The second one I was even more pleased with, and thought was probably the better one.

"It was just instinctive. I saw the ball going across, the guy's touch wasn't as good as he wanted, I closed the space down which Hodgy (Alan Hodgkinson) and I work on week in, week out in training, and I managed to get a strong hand to save it.

"It was a training save really, but I was pleased to do one like that on the pitch. The harder you work the luckier you get."

And although the team may be languishing in 13th place, Turley's own level of consistency (the Rushden game apart) has been of a very high level.

"I hold my hands up to the first one at Rushden," he said.

"I was concentrating so much on our right back not being in the right position. Darren's had a word with me, I have to just look after myself in those situations.

"Sometimes football can kick you in the teeth, and I think it did that night. I felt ashamed for the supporters and with it being on the telly, but that's gone now.

"But overall I've been ever so pleased with my performances this year and I've calmed down a little bit as well.

"Alan and the gaffer have got me to channel my energy. I can get a bit frustrated, but it was good concentration today."