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James Trafford won’t let a spot of history making spoil what has been a perfect start at Bolton Wanderers.
The Manchester City loanee afforded himself a few moments on Tuesday night to absorb the fact he was the first keeper in history to keep four clean sheets in his first four games for the Whites.
But as Ian Evatt’s squad returned to the training ground the following day the 19-year-old had already turned his attention to extending his run of shut-outs to five at Morecambe on Saturday.
Trafford is enjoying life at a resurgent Bolton, where he has featured in four straight victories so far. Another at the Mazuma Stadium this weekend could propel Wanderers into the top 10 but the young stopper is fighting the urge to think too far ahead.
“Sustaining it is the toughest part,” he said. “ You try not to think about consecutive clean sheets, records, and it is kind of in the back of your mind.
“We’ll review the Sunderland and Cambridge game, see where I can improve, and move on to Morecambe away.
“The record is great and means a lot but it isn’t the top of my priorities. I just want to improve and move on to Saturday.
“It is all down to the team. If they were letting one-on-ones through all the time then I wouldn’t be keeping clean sheets.
“I get the record, but it is the staff and the team-mates who should share it.”
Trafford has already won over some of the doubters who said he was too inexperienced to step in for Joel Dixon when he arrived from the Etihad last month.
Although he had time on loan at Accrington earlier in the season, the youngster says the experience of playing in front of fans at the UniBol has been an eye-opener.
“They have been really good,” he said. “They have taken well to me since my debut and were chanting good stuff about me towards the end.
“On Saturday they lifted the whole game and I think that’s what added a few more goals on to the score-line. You get a buzz from the fans and you can’t let them down.”
Trafford has a slightly different view on opposition supporters, however, and was happy to give a few playful barbs back to the Sunderland support on Saturday.
“Once the whistle goes I don’t mind but I can’t do it during the game,” he said.
“I have to focus and have learned not to get involved too much.
“When the whistle goes and I can’t let any goals in, I don’t mind having a bit of fun.
“The Sunderland fans gave me a bit of stick when I played there for Accy, so it was nice to have a bit of fun. I was lucky the camera man got the pictures.”
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