John Ruddy deserves to be compared to Gordon Banks after Birmingham City’s exploits
Birmingham City goalkeeper John Ruddy has earned a comparison to Gordon Banks for his stunning late save against Queens Park Rangers on Friday evening. Ruddy and opposite number Asmir Begovic – both 36 – produced a string of saves as Blues missed the chance to climb into the Sky Bet Championship’s top six overnight.
Ruddy earned rave reviews from supporters and pundits alike after he produced a fine stop to deny Lyndon Dykes’ header from Albert Adomah’s cross – which on any other day could have won QPR the same. Speaking after the match, Rs boss Gareth Ainsworth likened Ruddy’s save to England great Gordon Banks as goalkeepers took centre stage in the 0-0 draw
“I thought there were some fantastic blocks from us, two magnificent saves from Asmir – the one where he came out and smothered (from Hogan) was world class, and it was,” said Ainsworth. “But then John Ruddy at the other end – it was Gordon Banks-esque; he put the ball up in the air and away from people.
“When Lyndon heads in, you hope the ball goes into the net. It was further than I thought, with a great cross and a great header. I said Lyndon would hit double figures this season and it would be his biggest. But when you come up against someone as good as Ruddy, it’s hard to get past him – as was the case with Birmingham against Begovic.
Only a desperate acrobatic block by QPR midfielder Sam Field prevented the Blues from taking the lead in the 21st minute, after Lee Buchanan’s dangerous cross pushed past centre-back Steve Cook and past Begovic. Ruddy denied Paul Smyth and Field before his late heroics to deny Dykes home, while Begovic matched him by disrupting Cody Drameh, Krystian Bielik and Jay Stansfield.
Birmingham head coach John Eustace agreed that both goalkeepers were ahead in a match full of opportunities for both sides. “I think that’s why John won the Player of the Year award last season. John is a very good and experienced goalkeeper,” he said. “He will be disappointed with the few goals he has conceded this season, but tonight he showed his class and that is a characteristic of the best goalkeepers. So , not conceding was also very good and very encouraging because we had two very difficult away games and keeping our concentration levels in difficult times was very enjoyable.