Former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence - Norwich City’s John Ruddy is improving all the time
Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy has impressed between the sticks.
Michael Bailey
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
10:38 AM
Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy is in the form of his life – the kind of form that could place him side by side with the Canaries’ great glovesmen.
Certainly as far as former England goalkeeper and current coaching stalwart Ray Clemence is concerned, the City number one can be anything he wants to be.
Ruddy, 25, made appearance 95 of his Norwich career with Saturday’s defeat of Manchester United and is coincidentally on schedule to complete his century against the man who signed him, Paul Lambert, in the Capital One League Cup quarter-final with Aston Villa – should he be handed his first knockout appearance of the campaign.
The England international has been Mr Reliable all season, Ruddy’s commanding presence added to the organisation of those in front seeing City go more than five and a half hours without conceding a Premier League goal ahead of Saturday’s Everton trip.
Only West Ham keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and Stoke’s Asmir Begovic have matched Ruddy’s tally of five top-flight clean sheets this season. The race for the Golden Glove has been owned by England number one and Manchester City keeper Joe Hart for the last two campaigns.
A prolonged stay both at Carrow Road and at the top of the game will ultimately propel Ruddy alongside the likes of City keeping greats Sandy Kennon, Chris Woods and Robert Green who all had more than 240 City outings to their name. But on talent and performances Ruddy, who this weekend returns to the club that sold him to Norwich little more than two years ago, is already proving his Premier League class.
“He had a tremendous year last season and he has continued that this year,” said Clemence.
“He got himself into the England squad and had the disappointment of damaging his finger, which ruled him out of the European Championships.
“But he’s got back into the squad this year, had half a game against Italy which he did very well in and he’s continuing that form in his league games. And that’s great for (England manager) Roy Hodgson.
“What I’ve seen of him this year, he’s certainly improved from the very start of last season, that’s a certainty, and of course playing regularly always helps a young goalkeeper.
“He’s getting to an ideal age now for a goalkeeper when you’re starting to come into maturity.
“You still need experience and he’s lucky he is gaining that experience now. He’s looking very comfortable in whatever arena you put him in.
“I am not going to put any pressure on him. John will do what he wants to do. He has forced himself into the England squad over a short period of time. He’s done very well with that.
“He has got to keep working and keep improving.
“He knows as much as everybody does there are still things you always try to improve.
“And if he keeps working on those, who knows where he could finish.”
• TOP 10 PREMIER LEAGUE KEEPERS BY NUMBER OF SAVES
1 Schwarzer - 72
2 Al Habsi - 71
3 Ruddy - 68
4 Begovic - 63
5 Mignolet - 61
6 Jaaskelainen - 61
7 Cech - 56
8 Foster - 55
9 Guzan - 55
10 Howard - 51
• TOP 10 BY SAVES PER GOAL
1 Myhill - 7 (14 saves, 2 conceded)
2 Tremmel - 6.67 (20 saves, 3 conceded)
3 Begovic - 5.73 (63 saves, 11 conceded)
4 Jones - 5.5 (22 saves 4 conceded)
5 Mignolet - 5.25 (63 saves, 12 conceded)
6 Jasskelainen - 5.08 (61 saves 12 conceded)
7 Ben Foster - 5 (55 saves 11 conceded)
8 Cech - 4.3 (56 saves 13 conceded)
9 Harper - 3.86 (27 saves 7 conceded)
10 Krul - 3.83 (46 saves 12 conceded)
=11th Ruddy - 3.78 (68 saves, 18 conceded)
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12 comments
Am I banned from dialogue with Lobbo??
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Mad Brewer
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Has Pilks redeemed himself after Saturday`s performance, Lobbo? He had, indeed, seemed a bit out of sorts, but Hoots seems not to be a knee-jerk manager.
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Mad Brewer
Thursday, November 22, 2012
I read on another thread that the Aussie shot-dropper has shortened his name to Theo. He should`ve taken the disguise a step further; shaved his head, sucked a lollipop and called himself Kojak.
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Mad Brewer
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Certainly a point worthy of considereation Chilly62, as I remember it Theokiltos could not even catch the bus.
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Swiss Canary
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Two separate replies to my pal Lobbo ethered.
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Ethered! Lobbo, that Pilks has upped his game without you uttering a word says a lot for your powers, ol` pal. Next up Snods` heading skills? All that expensive therapy to bury the Theoklitos episode and Chilly62 has resurrected the nightmare. Thanks a bundle, Chills! ;-)
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Pilks felt it coming, Lobbo, and upped his performance accordingly! You startled him back into action without uttering a word. Next up, Snods` heading skills... I`d forgotten all about Theoklitos. It was that expensive therapy, now all gone to waste. Thanks a bunch, Chilly62! ;-)
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Brew. I'm sure Mr Bennett is a really nice guy but ! and I'll tell you something else Pilks wasn't very far away from getting a mention in dispatches.
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Lobbo
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
No mention of Michael Theoklitos?! Surely one of the best of all time?
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Chilly62
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Why does my smiley face always get dismembered? ;-(
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
"The Cat" is leading the poll currently, Lobbo, but he`s not mentioned in this article. Keelan was superb. BTW, E. Bennett has done quite well as a stand-in goalie, but only in training......:-)
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Aren't we missing my all time hero Kevin Keelan. In total, he played 673 competitive matches for Norwich, that's more than 240, I think.
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Lobbo
Wednesday, November 21, 2012