Planet Swans ArchivesBut that is just what happened to Dorus De Vries on his debut for the Swans back at Oldham on the opening day of this season. A clumsy penalty from Alan Tate saw De Vries beaten within five minutes of the start and a late goal conceded saw the Swans beaten in a game that they totally dominated.
But there is a chance for the Dutch keeper to get revenge tomorrow when the Latics visit the Liberty Stadium. Much was predicted of Oldham back then but it was Swans fans who left Boundary Park with optimism after their impressive display and despite the result. And that optimism has been justified as they have moved ten points clear at the top of the table ahead of the reverse fixtures.
“When you make your debut for a club as a goalkeeper, you want to keep a clean sheet,” says de Vries in tonight’s Evening Post.
“But after two minutes the referee made a strange decision and they had a penalty.
“It was a strange game all the way through.
“We played really well. There was some good football and it was the first time a lot of people saw us and said ‘Wow, there are some good players in this team’.
“People were saying straightaway that the results would come for this team and, thankfully ,since then they have.
“But we still have to set some things straight this weekend.
“Oldham took the three points right at the end and now we want to take some points from them.
Two clean sheets in successive games send the Swans into the game with confidence that they can make it three in a row although De Vries is just happy with the record to date “We can have a big smile about that,” de Vries adds.
“Nottingham Forest have been doing really well at home and Doncaster are one of the better sides we’ve played this season, so to keep two clean sheets is very pleasing.
“Attacking players get most of the glory – and the big contracts – that’s normal in football.
“But our defenders have been going well as well.
“We worked hard on organisation in training and I think that’s showed in the last two games. We’ve seen some great defensive work.
“We’re in a great position in the league, but it’s too early to say we’re going to win promotion with 19 games to go,” he says.
“I’ve seen many teams who have been a lot of points clear have a bad spell and then everything changes – it’s happened to MK Dons this season.
“I know Nottingham Forest still have to go to Doncaster and to Carlisle, so some of the other teams are going to drop points. But we still have to remain focused on every game we play.”
