Humbug! Defensive Scrooges bring sweet taste of success
Swansea stand tall in fourth spot in the second tier of English football thanks to an 11-match unbeaten run, with Friday night's 1-0 win over Derby County sending Sousa's side into the play-off spots.
Despite a sticky start under the Portuguese, Swansea have turned their fortunes around and head to Newcastle United on Saturday looking to further establish themselves as serious promotion contenders.
Swansea have become a highly efficient unit under Sousa, with Friday's shutout their 10th clean sheet of the league campaign.
They boast the second meanest defensive record in the league — behind Newcastle — and de Vries reckons Sousa's arrival has played a major part in their success this season.
"We got a little impatient last season and got exposed when we pushed for a goal," said de Vries.
"But this season we are getting mature and we know how to win games at this level.
"Since the gaffer arrived we have worked a lot on positioning when we are attacking.
"We mix our play a little more now.
"We tried to force too much last season with short passes, but we are trying a different approach with diagonal passes and that keeps the opposition guessing.
"You saw a really mature display in possession and positioning against Derby," he said.
"Everybody is progressing and that is evident in our position in the table."
The Dutch keeper sports a huge grin while talking about Swansea's miserly defence this term.
And he is under no illusions that another Scrooge-like defensive performance will be needed when Swansea head to St James' Park this weekend.
Newcastle, who took on Preston last night, have recovered from their Premier League exit with Chris Hughton's side confirming their promotion intent early on.
But de Vries believes Swansea have the characters to deal with the occasion.
"Newcastle are a big club and they will feel they don't deserve to be in the Championship," said the Dutchman.
"They have a great squad, but we go up there with the same spirit and belief that we did when we went to West Brom.
"We have to be tight going to Newcastle. You can't leave yourself exposed in this division because you will get punished, especially against bigger opponents that are in form.
"We have a great defensive record, but it really is a team effort.
"Defending starts up front, and attack starts from the back.
"Everybody knows their job at set plays, when to apply pressure and when to cover someone.
"We have to learn much more, because we can progress to another level," he said.
"But the confidence is high and the clean sheets always bring a smile to my face."
chris.barney@swwmedia.co.uk
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