Phil Sumbler
When Andy Fisher signed from MK Dons almost twelve months ago it looked for all the money as if that would – at some point – signal an end to Steven Benda’s time at Swansea City.
The goalkeeper had moved to Peterborough on loan and was attracting rave reviews at London Road where they wanted to secure his services during the summer. It was reported then that the two clubs could not agree a fee and Benda remained in SA1 as the season started albeit as back up to Fisher who was a clear first choice for Martin, the man who had brought him from Peterborough.
Fast forward though four months and Benda is the man in command of the goalkeeper’s jersey now with four clean sheets in his fourteen consecutive appearances which will become fifteen when Norwich visit the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It’s been quite a turnaround of fortunes with Fisher now forced to kick his heels on the bench and wait for his chance in the first team just as Benda did at the start of the season.
The Swans have picked up 25 points from the 14 games where Benda has held the gloves which compares very favourably with the 6 from 7 that Fisher started at the start of the season so it is clear to see here why he is the man in possession at the moment and the man that Martin has called amazing in recent weeks following his form for the side.
“He’s as important with the ball as any other player on the pitch,” Martin said when asked after the Huddersfield game – the Swans last outing – about his goalkeeper.
“Steven’s been outstanding in this run of games we’ve had since he came into the team, really top. When he’s called upon, he has to stay focused, concentrate and it’s a massive save from a massive goalkeeper, not just physically but for us. He’s been amazing. He deserves more clean sheets, for sure.”
It’s been more than five years since Benda signed for the Swans with this, by far, his longest run of games in the side and he has more than eighteen months left to run on the contract that he did sign shortly before his loan spell to Peterborough last season
Speaking shortly after his debut for the Swans back in 2020 Benda talked up the benefits of loan moves when he said “I think it was the best thing for me to do – going on loan and getting game time and experience of playing men’s football,” he added.
“It helped me grow and develop as a player and made me ready for the next step.”
Whilst the keeper was unable to hold down a regular starting position back then he most certainly now is a key figure in the Swans side and it is difficult – injuries or suspensions apart – to envisage a position where Martin would turn back to Fisher given the difference Benda has helped make to the club’s fortunes and results.
Unsurprisingly, Benda is enjoying his time as first choice as he explained: “As a goalkeeper or outfield player, you want to play, that’s why you play football, you want to be out on the pitch.
“We’ve got a really good goalkeeping group with Deano [goalkeeping coach Dean Thornton] as well. We’re working really hard in training, we’re pushing each other and you need that.
“I’m quite a positive person, I like to work hard and put myself in a position where I am ready. You have to trust in that and hopefully it will lead to chances to play.
“I’ve had a full season learning the way the manager wants to play now, and I had that time at Peterborough which got my confidence up, so I’m in a different place now to where I was at the beginning of last season I think.”
And that different place is paying dividends for Benda, the Swans and the faith that the manager showed in him back in September and long may that continue.
Benda was always the better option but Martin kept faith with ‘his man’.
That said few goalkeepers would relish the prospect of playing behind a back three routinely under strength from changing personnel and player picked out of position.