RAFA AND KRUL WERE KEY INFLUENCES FOR SWANS STOPPER FREDDIE

FREDDIE Woodman has revealed Tim Krul and Rafa Benitez were key influences on his career during his time with Newcastle United. The goalkeeper is currently on a season-long loan with Swansea City from the Magpies and has played a key role in his side’s stunning start to the 2019/20 campaign under Steve Cooper. He has kept three clean sheets in his seven Championship fixtures so far since making the move to South Wales. Despite being just 22 years of age, Woodman is already on his fifth loan spell away from Newcastle having joined the St James’ Park outfit as a schoolboy. But during his time in the north east, Krul – now at Norwich City – gave Woodman plenty of advice that has stood him in good stead, with the youngster also revealing former Newcastle manager Benitez played a significant part in his development as a player. “I will be honest and say I did not initially want to go to Newcastle as I was settled with my friends and everything else,” he told Swansea’s matchday programme. “I was in a comfort zone (at Crystal Palace) but I think it was the best decision I ever made, they are such a great club with such a great set of fans and I have worked with some incredible coaches and players. “Tim Krul was massive for me, he was basically my coach there and he gave me so much advice. We set goals together and he was a major influence. “When England won the Euros at under-17 level, he called me up to congratulate me and he told me ‘I have got you tickets for Holland v Brazil at the World Cup in Brazil’. So before I knew it I was going out to the World Cup. “That was unbelievable, and I still speak to him and I am so glad to see him back in the Premier League. “Rafa was also brilliant for me, he gave me my debut which is something I will always be grateful for. “I think I improved so much under him, his attention to detail was just incredible. Picking his brain was a real education, I loved talking to him about football, his career and his knowledge. “I learned so much from him, and he was so open and happy to share and I really enjoyed my time with him.” Woodman has proven to be a hugely popular figure with the Swansea faithful, and his stock rose significantly after his display at Derby last month, a game in which the England youth player saved a penalty to help earn the visitors a point at Pride Park. After that stalemate with Phillip Cocu’s side, Cooper revealed Woodman – along with goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson – had done their homework on Martyn Waghorn’s penalty taking, with their meticulous preparation coming to fruition. And Woodman revealed that advice from his dad has stuck with him throughout his career. “From the off my dad always said to be aggressive, pick your side and go with it, and that’s been a consistent message from most of my coaches.”