Freddie Woodman loving Championship challenge

Freddie Woodman is loving the challenge of his first season in the Championship, and believes he has already made strides during his short time at Swansea City.

The on-loan Newcastle goalkeeper has enjoyed an excellent start to life in SA1, keeping five clean sheets and conceding the fewest away goals of any man between the sticks in the second tier.

He has also shown an assured touch with the ball at his feet, while also making a fantastic penalty save to preserve a point at Derby.

The 22-year-old previously had loan spells with Hartlepool and Crawley in League Two, and with Kilmarnock and Aberdeen in Scotland.

Woodman acknowledges those were valuable experiences, but he views his starting role with the Swans as a step forward for his career.

“I got game-time in League Two and in Scotland, but the Championship is a whole new ball game,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying it. You come up against teams every week who are giving you a different challenge.

“I feel I am getting better and learning something every week. It’s brilliant for my development and I hope it is also helping Swansea because of the faith they have shown in me.

“I am delighted with how things are going. Our defensive performances have been good. I think I’ve developed a good relationship with the players – the back four especially.

“It was important that I understood what type of players they are and for them to understand the type of goalkeeper I am.

“I also like to think I’ve got a good rapport with the fans because they have been fantastic to me since I arrived.”