Planet Swans ArchivesTate played over an hour of the Swans 0-0 draw with QPR but was – in the main – a spectator as the Swans laid siege to the QPR goal and protected their keeper with some ease.
Having come on as sub when Dorus De Vries was stretchered off with a suspected broken jaw, Tate easily kept QPR at goal and did not face a meaningul shot until the last minute – and that sailed harmlessley over the top of the goal.
And whilst he was not exactly lining up to play between the sticks on Saturday, Tate was clearly happy with his nights work and he told the official site “I’m going to see if I can have Dorus’s clean sheet bonus, after all, I was on longer than him
“I was ready to come on. Ever since I’ve been on the bench this season, I’ve always known I am cover not just for the whole back four but the goalkeeper as well.
“Thankfully I didn’t have a lot to do. I punched one, but only because I thought I was going to get clattered.
“I ran out of my area to clear another one, but the Gaffer (Roberto Martinez) told me at half-time not to do it again!
“I don’t know about challenging Dorus for his position long term, I’ll be happy to play in goal from the start on Saturday, but somehow I don’t think the manager will play me!!!”
“I’m sure all the Swans fans will join me in wishing Dorus a speedy recovery.”
