City 'keeper speaks following draw with Southampton
MARK BUNN was happy after keeping his fifth clean sheet for Norwich City in their 0-0 Barclays Premier League draw with Southampton… and hopes to extend that record further in the remaining games of the season.
The summer signing was forced into a number of saves, keeping out Adam Lallana and Gaston Ramirez expertly in the first-half as the Canaries got another point on the board in the race for top flight survival.
Although Bunn admits the team didn’t reach top gear in sleety conditions at Carrow Road, he was pleased to play a part in keeping a dangerous Southampton team out.
“From a goalkeeper’s point of view it’s always nice to keep clean sheets. That’s what we’re there for – to make saves. It was nice to do that and hopefully I can keep another one in the next game,” said the 28-year-old when he spoke to Canaries Player after the final whistle.
“It was disappointing from us today, we weren’t really at our best. If we’d have scored at the end there, I don’t think it would have been a fair result – I think 1-1 would have probably been a fair result.
“We had a great chance to get the three points, but it wasn’t to be so we’ll take the one.”
That chance came when Grant Holt had a last-ditch penalty kept out by Artur Boruc – a quality of save that Bunn recognised despite it denying City the victory.
“It was a great save. Holty’s hit it well to be fair, and I thought he was going to score,” he added.
“There’s nothing better as a ‘keeper than saving a penalty right at the end. Full credit to the goalkeeper there, he’s done very well.
The final result edged City onto 33 points, and Bunn is hoping that a couple more positive outcomes at Carrow Road between now and the end of the campaign will be enough to keep City in the Premier League – a run-in that he aims to play a significant part in.
“If we’d have won the game today, we’d have gone 10th and in the top half so that just shows how tight it is in this league. If we win some of our home games, we’ll be alright,” said the former Northampton Town and Blackburn Rovers man.
“I love playing – it’s been a while since I’ve played quite a few games. I’m enjoying it at the moment and I’ll just try and keep my place in the team.
“John (Ruddy)’s been out with a long injury but he’s due back soon so I’ve got to be on the top of my game and keep him out.”