Tate’s banter is spurring me on to keep it clean, says Woodman
FREDDIE Woodman has fully embraced what it means to play for Swansea City. The goalkeeper is enjoying a remarkable campaign in south Wales and has more than played his part in the Swans’ push for promotion.
He has kept 16 Championship clean sheets already this term, a total that is just nine fewer than the record for the division since it was rebranded in 2004.
But it’s another record that the 23-year-old has firmly in his sights following conversations with club legend Alan Tate.
“Tatey keeps telling me about the record he had with Dorus de Vries,” he explained.
“He reminds me every single day about that and how he did it. At the moment it would be nice to get to Tatey’s record because it’s an unbelievable achievement. I’m really enjoying keeping clean sheets.
“He’s having a bit of banter to be fair. Every time I come off the pitch he says ‘one more until the record’ which is nice.
“We always say as a group they must have done unbelievable to get to 24 clean sheets. Dorus must have been buzzing. That’s the type of character Tatey is. He’s one of the people who helps you get better each day.
“Conor [Hourihane] said it on Sky – the mentality of everyone wanting to keep the ball out of the net. It’s not just me. It’s brilliant to be behind that.”
The record in question is of course that of Dorus de Vries from Swansea’s 2010/11 promotion-winning campaign under Brendan Rodgers.
And Woodman’s conversations with Tate serve as yet another example of how consumed the goalkeeper is with Swansea.
“I tend to go back and watch old Swans games when people mention them,” he said.
“I see him [de Vries] in them and he’s a legend of the club.”
As a result of the 1-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest, Swansea sit just one point off the Championship’s automatic promotion places.
Steve Cooper’s men also boast two games in hand over their promotion rivals following the postponements of the matches at Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday in recent weeks.
Though it seems Woodman has taken a leaf out of Cooper’s book when it comes to monitoring matters elsewhere in the Championship.
“I didn’t even know Brentford were playing to be honest,” he said when asked about the Bees’ defeat to Queens Park Rangers.
“That’s just me. Other lads might keep an eye on it. I thought this game was the one we’re catching up on to be honest!
“Something I’ve taken from the manager is he’s only thinking about the next game. That’s what I’ve done. It’s Huddersfield next and that’s what I’m focusing on.”
Woodman’s eagerness to follow in the footsteps of his boss sums up how vital his loans with Swansea are proving to be for his career.
His character has also ensured he slotted into Swansea’s dressing room seamlessly, something that seems to have been made all the more easier given the spirit that appears to exist behind the scenes at the Liberty Stadium at present.
Although it has emerged that Wednesday night’s match winner Connor Roberts has found an unusual way to forge a status as a dominant character in the dressing room.
“Connor never stops running, gets in the box, and has a great spring,” revealed Woodman.
“We were saying in the changing room it’s because of the hot sauce he’s been having. It’s extra hot and he reckons he only scored because of it.
“It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever had and he just brushes it off like it’s nothing. Credit to him for that. It’s at the training ground. I think he has it at home as well. Naughts [Kyle Naughton] brought the sauce in and he loves it.”
Swansea’s form going into the clash with Huddersfield makes for impressive reading, with Cooper’s men unbeaten in nine league outings.
And Woodman admits the buzz at Swansea’s Fairwood training ground is making his second loan spell at the club even more enjoyable.
“We’re doing well and remaining humble which is something which comes from the gaffer,” he added.
“I know it’s a cliche but we’re taking it one game at a time and enjoying playing and working hard for the team.”