Rodgers revels in Vorm bargain

11 December 2011 07:17

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers hailed the signing of Michel Vorm as a "steal" after the Dutch keeper performed more heroics in their 2-0 victory over Fulham at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea were leading 1-0 thanks to Scott Sinclair's 56th-minute effort when Vorm pulled off his second spot-kick save of the season with an athletic diving stop to his right to deny Clint Dempsey and allow Danny Graham to put a seal on Swansea's fourth win of the campaign by flicking home a Mark Gower corner in added time.

And having brought the 28-year-old to south Wales from FC Utrecht for just £1.5million in the summer, Rodgers said: "People will tell you that a good goalkeeper will get you up to 10-plus points and everyone knows we have a top keeper."

He added: "It was a great bit of business for us, it's a steal. He is a good guy, very professional. His family have settled well in Swansea and he is enjoying life in this fantastic league.

"That penalty was a key moment, although it wasn't a penalty. If you look at the replay you can see that Jazz Richards doesn't do anything and the guy kicks his leg, goes over and the referee bought it."

Fulham were without striker Bobby Zamora, who was rested amid speculation that he had had a falling-out with manager Martin Jol. But the Dutchman played down those rumours when asked about the England forward's absence.

He said: "I made the decision on Thursday to play Andrew Johnson because he works hard in training. The last couple of weeks we played with Mousa Dembele and Bobby up front and I thought the time was there to play Andrew Johnson again.

"I don't have any problem with any player. The only thing I want is for them to give 100 per cent to the club and then there is no problem.

"I need all my players. We have another important game (against Odense) on Wednesday and Bryan Ruiz can't play in Europe, we have a few little injuries so I need all my players.

"He (Zamora ) is probably not the player who is the best substitute so I thought it was better to wait for next week and important games coming up. He wants to play for this club."

Source: PA