Freddie Woodman on positive performances and play-off push

Freddie Woodman believes more positive performances and a play-off push will make for a perfect finish at Swansea City.

The goalkeeper has had a successful loan spell at the Liberty this season following his switch from Premier League side Newcastle United.

He has played a key role for Steve Cooper’s side, having saved three penalties and kept 11 clean sheets in 37 league games.

The Swans are three points away from a play-off spot with nine games remaining in the Championship, and the league provisionally set to resume on the weekend of June 20.

And the 23-year-old, who has previously spent time on loan at Hartlepool, Crawley, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen, wants his temporary spell in SA1 to culminate with a memorable day at Wembley.

“It’s my first full season at Championship level and the aim was to get as many minutes under my belt as possible and try to improve,” said Woodman.

“I also wanted to play in this league to get the experience of playing in the derbies and other big atmospheres like we had at Elland Road.

“So far I think I’ve put in some good performances, which I’m pleased with. It’s been a fantastic experience.

“We still have nine games left to play – hopefully three more after that – and I’ve absolutely loved it. I don’t want it to end because I’m really enjoying it.”

Woodman’s arrival in the summer saw him compete with Erwin Mulder and Kristoffer Nordfeldt – who joined Turkish side Gençlerbirliği in January – for the keeper role.

He immediately made an impression, keeping out Martyn Waghorn’s penalty in the second game of the campaign to earn a 0-0 draw at Derby County.

His distribution from the back, on top of his saving qualities, have made for a hugely successful stint in south west Wales.

And Woodman, a World Cup Under-20s and Euro Under-17s winner, is confident there’s more to come from Cooper’s side when football resumes.

“I came a few days before the start of the season so I didn’t have much time to adapt. But, on reflection, I think it went very smoothly working with Marge (Martyn Margetson),” said Woodman.

“The club had a new head coach and Marshy (Mike Marsh) as assistant, while big players like Oli McBurnie and Daniel James left too, amongst others, so it was a big change for the club.

“So to have nine games left to play and be just three points off the play-offs I think it’s been a very positive season so far.

“The big word in this league is consistency. Everyone wants it, but it’s hard to do. Whoever accomplishes that in the remaining nine games will be in the play-offs.

“If we can get into the play-offs and, hopefully, a memorable day at Wembley then that would be the perfect way to finish my loan.”