Potter - Nordfeldt assist no fluke

3rd April
First team

Graham Potter has hailed Kristoffer Nordfeldt’s distribution skills after the Swansea City keeper produced a stunning assist in the win over Brentford.

The Sweden international spotted Nathan Dyer making a run in behind Brentford’s high defensive line in the 34th minute, and his perfectly delivered kick downfield allowed the winger to beat Bees keeper Luke Daniel and give the hosts a 2-0 lead.

A Daniel James’ goal made it 3-0 at the full-time whistle as Swansea ended a four-match losing run.

Nordfeldt has had a challenging season, with injury allowing Erwin Mulder a chance to stake his claim leading to the two keepers sharing playing time through much of the season.

But Nordfeldt has been the man in possession over recent weeks, and his confidence on the ball has been clear to see in how he started the move for Bersant Celina’s strike against Manchester City, while he nutmegged Nottingham Forest’s Lewis Grabban at the weekend.

Manager Potter acknowledges a keeper’s first job is to deny the opposition, and was pleased with a clean sheet.

But he also praised the bravery of the 29-year-old.

“Kris meant it, it was not just a fluke down the pitch and I thought his overall distribution was great and a big part of how we played,” said Potter of the assist.

“The ability to use the keeper and go through the keeper to drag their pressure out is important for us, so I am pleased for him.

“In some ways he has had a difficult season, but I think you have seen the quality he has.

“People forget he has not played first-team football for a long time and that can take time.

“But he is enjoying his football and he is crucial for how we want to play. It helps with the style.

“Fundamentally he has to keep the ball out of the net, so it was good for him to keep a clean sheet as well as contributing to our attacking play as it is not often you get an assist from a goalkeeper.

“It was a high level bit of play.

“He has to brave on the ball, he has those attributes and those are his strengths. It is important he does that, and he feels the support from us and the supporters and I think they appreciated him.

“I can get a bit nervous with it at times and have a sharp intake of breath, but that is part of how we work every day and we want to be able to keep possession and build goalscoring opportunities.”