England now has a new Idol, John Ruddy. The rising star comes from norwich City.
John Ruddy is currently starring for Norwich City in the English Premier League. Norwich supporters and Paul Lambert are now calling for the goalkeeper to be named in the next England squad by Fabio Capello. Ruddy is a fine example of patience and why it is wrong to judge football players too early on.
Everton have long since decided that Ruddy is not up to the job in the Premier League. A succession of loan spells away from Goodison Park followed until Ruddy eventually turned up at Norwich City at the start of last season on a permanent deal.
The early signs were not good as Ruddy made an error in a pre-season friendly that led to a goal. Before long supporters were wondering what Lambert had done by acquiring this player. Unfortunately mistakes continued to happen in the early part of the season. Supporters were calling Ruddy a poor man's version of Fraser Forster (Norwich's previous on-loan keeper).
However, John ruddy is an example of showing patience with new signings. He soon cut out the mistakes and became a very solid goalkeeper. He was also earning Norwich points by pulling off wonder saves. Nevertheless many fans ahead of this season would worry that the Premier League would be a step too far for Ruddy.
If his early form is anything to go by then it would appear not. Ruddy looks every bit the Premier League goalkeeper. And any claims to have him included in the next England squad are absolutely justified. The reflexes he has shown in dying minutes against Liverpool and Bolton make him look every bit that international calibre shot stopper.
Unfortunately, the national media will not always show the same level of passion towards Ruddy as us Norwich City fans do. Paul Merson has claimed that Ruddy will be disappointed with his performance against Blackburn this weekend. The reality is, Norwich didn't play well at the weekend but they showed fantastic spirit to get the result.
On the day we didn't defend well as a team. But we are not going to start pointing fingers at individuals. That is certainly not the way to maintain the superb team spirit we have here. It is also not the Norwich City or Paul Lambert way. So Mr Merson please stay out of our business.
Even if you were to conclude that Ruddy was solely responsible for the Yukubu goal. And that for the record would be the wrong conclusion because it was a collective team mistake. However, that aside show me a goalkeeper who doesn't make mistakes that lead to goals. They all do for my money and that includes the very best.
Mistake or not John ruddy has now surely got to be considered the second best English goalkeeper. If he keeps performing the way he can, and he's not on the plane for the European Championships, then there is something seriously wrong. We all accept that Joe Hart is the number one choice but John Ruddy can and should be the man to push him all the way.
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