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Newcastle United loan star is play-off MOTM – Freddie Woodman closing in on Premier League

3 years ago
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This season just keeps on getting better and better for Newcastle United’s Freddie Woodman.

Already having won the Championship Golden Glove after keeping 20 clean sheets in 45 Championship appearances.

Freddie Woodman added yet another clean sheet to his total on Monday night, probably his most important of the season so far.

A man of the match performance seeing the Newcastle loan goalkeeper ending the play-off semi-final at Barnsley with no goals conceded and Swansea having a 1-0 advantage before the home leg against Barnsley on Saturday.

In the other match, promotion favourites Brentford lost 1-0 at Bournemouth, meaning Jonathan Woodgate’s side have the advantage ahead of their second leg. also on Saturday.

If Freddie Woodman and Swansea can get through Saturday’s second leg ok AND then win the play-off final, it could be great news for Newcastle United.

Freddie Woodman has the makings of a top goalkeeper but difficult to see anything but Martin Dubravka continuing as number one next season.

If Swansea are promoted then no doubt they would love to buy Freddie Woodman…but a third year on loan could be great for Newcastle United, as it should keep Woodman happy and would give a year’s valuable Premier League experience before any major decision would almost inevitably have to be made at the end of next season, as to the keeper’s long-term future. By then Freddie Woodman have turned 25 (in March 2022).

Swansea manager Steve Cooper on star man Freddie Woodman:

“I think first and foremost, all he (Freddie Woodman) will be focused on is keeping another clean sheet on Saturday.

“He won’t be standing still on his performance, that’s for sure, but he did play well tonight.

“I thought his positional play was good and his decision making with the ball was good.

“But there’s no time to think too much about it, it’s time to look forward.

“All of his attention like everybody else will be on keeping a clean sheet on Saturday.”

Swansea player ratings from Wales Online after 1-0 play-off win at Barnsley:

‘Freddie Woodman 9

The Golden Glove winner was untroubled in the first half and did the basics very well. Vital save to deny Callum Brittain after the restart and made some other decent stops too in what was a wonderful display. Another clean sheet.

Freddie Woodman scooped the Championship’s Golden Glove award having kept 20 clean sheets during the regular season.

And he kept yet another shutout against Barnsley – his third against the Tykes this season – to ensure Swansea returned to south Wales with a slender lead over Valerien Ismael’s side.

In truth, the Newcastle United loanee was rarely troubled in the first half thanks largely to the aforementioned defensive efforts of the visitors at Oakwell.

But he was far busier in the second half where he made a stunning save to keep out Callum Brittain’s effort while his alertness to clear danger was vital on numerous occasions.

The 24-year-old’s decision making was impeccable throughout, and many fans have had their say on the intriguing debate over whether it was the Englishman’s best performance in a Swansea shirt.’

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