All-action man

THERE are goalkeepers who go about their business quietly. And there are goalkeepers like Dean Bouzanis.

Athletic’s bundle of energy has been impressive lately in taking and then retaining his spot at number one.

The Sydney-born goalkeeper isn’t shy on coming for crosses, firing out raking long passes, racing upfield to try to get his head on late corners and piling on top of his team-mates in marathon sprints to celebrate goals.

The all-action, extrovert approach gets the former Liverpool prospect noticed — more by ticked-off opposition fans than anyone.

“I get it at every away game!” said Bouzanis. “But I don’t do anything until after the game, making sure we have got the result first.

“At Kidderminster it was horrible as well, as I was so close to their fans. I could hear every word they were saying and they were giving me loads.

“You have to focus on your game, or else mistakes will creep in.”

Bouzanis hails from the same area of Sydney as Athletic’s third-choice goalkeeper Liam Jacob. His pal James Wesolowski is the third man from Australia’s biggest city.

Capped by both Greece — both parents are Greek — and Australia at youth level, Bouzanis (22) is playing it cool about further international recognition.

“I haven’t really thought about playing for the national team,” he added. “I am just concentrating on myself and trying to do well for the club.”

That means adding to Athletic’s run of one defeat in seven against Bury tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

“We are on a good run of form we want to keep going and not slacken up.”