Born in Amsterdam, Kuipers has admitted that it is always nice to play against a fellow compatriot and to compare stories of their homeland as he revealed to the Argus, he said, “He used to be in Den Haag and whenever we have played Swansea in recent years we talk about Holland and England and spend some time together after the game as well. It’s nice to play against somebody from back home. “
The 35 year old keeper also hopes that De Vries& Co go on and do well this season but all jokes aside, the former Bristol Rovers man is plotting his downfall this evening, “He is a good goalkeeper. I hope he does well this season but not so well tonight!”
Looking back at the Seagulls 1-0 opening day loss to Walsall, there is reason to be optimistic according to the veteran keeper. “We played some very good football in the second half and completely dominated. If we can take that into tonight’s game then it will good for us.” However should the game go the full distance and into a penalty shoot out, Kuipers is confident that he can recreate the goalmouth drama from last seasons win on penalties over Manchester City, “Penalties are good for a goalkeeper to be involved in, because you can stamp your authority a little bit more on the outcome of the game. Last year was brilliant. It was nice to be involved in that. It created a really good vibe around the club and everyone was buzzing after it. “
Paulo Sousa's side also suffered a loss in the first fixture of the season, but that has not stopped the Dutchman warning that Swansea will come out all guns blazing and try to assert their authority on the game, I reckon there is going to be a lot of attacking. I don't think Swansea are going to sit back. I am sure they will come out of the starting blocks as fast as they can to put us on the back foot.”
Paying compliment to the way in which the Liberty Stadium club have evolved in the last five years, Kuipers has admired the set up that the South Wales club have built and is hoping that when Brighton's new Falmer stadium is completed that the Swansea blueprint will also fire them forward as a club,“They’ve got a very good set-up there. It wasn't like that when we used to play them in the old days (at the Vetch Field). “
“They are a great example of how a club can expand their footprint by getting a new stadium, better financial support and bigger crowds to attract better players. They have done really well and are a force to be reckoned with.”
