Time for Alex Neil to drop the Y and give Rudd the nod

“Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy says he is ‘not bitter, but bitterly hurt’ after missing out on World Cup selection”, this was the headline of a Telegraph article in May last year, following Roy Hodgson’s decision to take Fraser Forster to Brazil as England’s third choice keeper at John Ruddy’s expense. Despite Norwich’s relegation and a slight drop in form in comparison to previous season’s, Ruddy had kept a respectable twelve clean sheets and was still regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the division. Quite rightly, Ruddy and Norwich fans alike were feeling aggrieved that our star man had been snubbed.

It is now 16 months later and John Ruddy is on the brink being omitted from the Norwich team, never mind England.

The first time I saw John Ruddy play was in one of his very first appearance for the club, a pre-season friendly against his former side Everton. Within 6 minutes the whole of Carrow Road had their heads in their hands wondering what Paul Lambert had done bringing in this unknown, as he let a tame Tim Cahill shot squirm under his body in Rob Green 2010 World Cup style. His start to his City career did not get much better as performances in the first few games of the 2010/11 Championship season, notably a 3-2 opening day of the season defeat to Watford, appeared to show a vulnerable keeper very shy of confidence. However, much to his and Paul Lambert’s credit, within months Ruddy had transformed into one of Norwich’s best players. While our defence was by no means resolute in the Lambert days, Ruddy’s performances papered over such cracks and were instrumental in leading us to promotion. If there was any doubt whether he would make it as a Premier League goalkeeper these were soon forgotten as a string of match saving performances (an absolute wonder save in the last minute vs Luis Suarez at Anfield to preserve a point stands out in my mind, to this day), quickly led to him being around the fringes of the senior England squad.

The goalkeeper had gone from being an Everton reject, by his own admission on the brink of quitting the game, to a Premier League star on the verge of an England call up - which he got at the end of City’s first season back in the top flight. He was only 25, arguably not even prime age for a goalkeeper, and was being linked with a move to Arsenal - the sky was the limit for Ruddy and Norwich had a huge asset on their hands. Despite larger clubs sniffing around for his services, Ruddy remained loyal to the club that had revived his career and led City into 2012/13 season under Chris Hughton.

However, in November he suffered a thigh injury during a 1-1 draw at Everton. The initial word from the club was that he would be out of action for three months. Numerous problems and set-backs meant this initial figure was actually doubled, as Ruddy did not make his full return until May 2013, in the penultimate game of the season.

I don’t think I am the only one to say that he has not been truly the same ever since.

The season later we were relegated. This was through no particular fault of his own, as I mentioned earlier, he kept twelve clean sheets - scoring goals was the problem. This being said, he never did reach his colossal levels of two seasons prior - but many attributed this to the fact that he was still recovering from his injury. Upon our relegation Ruddy was still being heavily touted with a move to Chelsea, after all - so he can’t have done too badly. His reputation as one of the league’s top goalies was still in tact. In the face of interest from elsewhere, Ruddy once again remained loyal. For Norwich fans this was huge, we would have a Premier League quality goalkeeper in the Championship and this would be a huge platform to build on in our pursuit for an instant return to the top flight.

The latter bit happened, of course, as City were promoted at Wembley in May, but to say Ruddy was crucial in this success would be incorrect. He exceedingly looked vulnerable; while he would put in huge performances and make brilliant saves, on the whole he appeared to be a shadow of his former self. Mistakes increasingly began to enter his game, with glaring errors against Charlton, Rotherham and Derby sticking in the memory. It was not the odd howler, however, which worried City fans - it was more the fact that, quite simply, he was no longer such a formidable figure in front of goal. Norwich finished just four points behind champions Bournemouth. If we had had 2011/12 John Ruddy in goal, we would have won the league. I am sure of that.

Unfortunately, this poor form has continued into this season and fans have finally, begrudgingly (for he is a City hero for many), began to demand change. He has not made any huge howlers (last Saturday excepted) but there have been numerous goals that we have conceded where you have to question if he could have done better. Goals that would not have been goals in 2011.

His role in the 2-1 defeat to Man City last weekend represents a culmination of his poor form, as he fumbled a basic cross before failing to collect the loose ball. In the ensuing mayhem, Raheem Sterling’s shot was expertly saved by the hands of Russell Martin - resulting in a sending off and a penalty. A perfectly executed defensive game plan had so very nearly paid off. Ruddy cost us that point. As much as it is about skill, goalkeeping equally revolved around confidence and self-belief. Ruddy is seemingly shot of all confidence at the moment, and this last mistake will only worsen his state of mind - I really think the time has now come to take him out of the firing line, for his own sake, as much as ours.

Waiting in the ranks is Declan Rudd, a ‘keeper who has been at Norwich for over 16 years now without, as of yet, getting a proper opportunity. Rudd has appeared three times in the Capital One Cup this season, conceding just two goals and putting in a string of fantastic performances - most notably in the 2-1 win over Rotherham where he certainly showed credentials worthy of the top level. I think Norwich fans still have the perception of him being this youthful, inexperienced player - too much of a risk to try in the Premier League. But he is 24 now, he’s made over 80 senior appearances (mainly for Preston, where he hugely impressed), and if we aren’t willing to give him a chance, how is he meant to earn this experience?

He has waited patiently and I think now, finally, the time has truly come for Declan Rudd to get the nod. Next Saturday sees us play a goal-shy Swansea at home, representing the perfect opportunity for him to show his credentials. After all, there must be a reason why the club has kept onto him over all these years, when others of a similar age and ability, namely Jed Steer, have been let go.

I am not expecting Alex Neil to drop Ruddy this weekend but there is only so long that he can continue to be selected before he truly starts crippling our season.

From stalwart to weak link.

It is so sad that it has come to this.