I think we need to move on from keep refering back to the Lambert era. Ruddy was one of the few players that played well under Hughton. I agree that he hasn't been at his best this season, but to be fair we haven't lost any points due to his perfomances and I would say that he has kept us form losing points.
I disagree with your last line, I don't remember him making any big saves at all in games this season that have earned us points, in fact I can't think of any from last season either. He's not made any howlers this season that have cost us points as you say, but there have been plenty of goals we've conceded that an in form John Ruddy would have saved that would have been worth some points. In the past year or we must have been involved in at least a dozen games where the keeper has been man of the match, though (correct me here if I'm wrong) not one of them have been our keeper.
The long range trickler that ambled in against Charlton cost us points, he was still rooted to the ground when it finally hit the net.
But it's not desperation it was a wrong decision. It gave us no benefit whatsoever. I also think he took the wrong person off.
A couple of saves he made at Brentford away come immediately to mind. I'm not sure that's the point though. I don't think Ruddy's performance this season has made any real difference to where we are in the table. I think the player that has made a significant difference to our points tally is Turner, without him we'd be much worse off. Ruddy is not the reason why we are where we are.
That's the point we're all making in a nutshell, Westwood for Wednesday most definitely did against us and we've seen similar heroics from Marshall too. But because of our high opinions of big JR we are slightly disappointed that he hasn't! Bah!
But you're not! In most games where we have dropped points the main reason for us failing is because we haven't score, albeit because in some cases the opposing keeper has played particularly well. For example against Sheffield Wednesday when Westwood played so well was 0-0. So Ruddy did his job, what more was he supposed to do short or running the length of the pitch and scoring. You also mention Marshall, however we beat Cardiff 4 - 2, so surely in this game Ruddy did better than Marshall. In the games recently where we have played well, but either drew or lost by a single goal score against the run of play, we have either not scored or only scored a single goal, which is not enough to win championship games. It appears to me that most championship games are rarely won by the winning team scoring only one goal. Putting Middlesborough aside the most goals we have concided in a game is 2, against Birmingham we drew and against Cardiff we won. Most goals we have concided are down to poor defending and dare I say it errors by Martin seem to have led to us conciding poor goals. In my mind its no coincidence that we have started losing / drawing winable games since Bennett & Hooiveld (??????????) became injured.
All of that is fair enough but I would still say that I think that an inform top end championship keeper could/should have saved at least a couple of the ones Ruddy has let in and that has on occation been practically the only shot on target and then you have to look at championship or any league, one possibly savable shot on target all game that winning with only one scored should be possible and that indeed Ruddy has cost us points (Not in isolation, the defense could have stopped the attack before the shot in theory). I can't watch vid clips at work to try and pickout a specific example this season but I have thought more than once that goals conceded have been saveable for a good goalkeeper and definitely a great one with England aspirations. Can you honestly say that you think his performances are at the same high level of pre-injury? Bah!
Canario I agree with a lot of what you've said, but I would say that in my opinion: (1) Leeds' goal against us was saveable (a great finish, but still saveable and I would have bet on Marshall doing so) (2) Kavanagh's goal against us was saveable (though admittedly it should have been a better shot and he was odds on to score from that position) (3) Harsh as it may be to say, Ruddy cost us three points against Rotherham by conceding the penalty (4) I thought Birmingham's second goal was saveable (5) Bournemouth's goal was saveable Now I'm not saying Ruddy should have saved all of these, just that a 'keeper on top form would have managed one or two (or not given away the penalty). That's four or more points right there, enough to put us level top or better. Ruddy is of course far from the only one out of sorts, virtually every player has arguably cost us points at times, but Ruddy's are, inevitably, the most obvious
Whether or not he is actually costing us points Ruddy is not at his best and hasn't been for quite some time. Even if he isn't to blame for our recent results there is still a lot he could do to improve.
And surely a keeper on top of his game would add confidence to the defence, perhaps and out of form keeper is having an inverse effect.
You make a good point Munky and whilst both are performing badly, we are going to concede goals. Certainly the goals we've conceded at CR with the exception of Blackburn's opener could have been prevented with better defending/goalkeeping IMO.
Maybe if, with the exception of Turner our back four was playing better. Maybe If we weren't playing Martin in a role he's is a relative novice in, then Ruddy might have a bit more confidence in the defence and this might make a difference. I accept that Ruddy has on occasions concided goals when on another day he might of saved, but to be fair I'm sure he's no different from any other keeper in the championship or indeed the premiership. I sure this was the case even when we previously got promoted to the championship. In my mind the reason why we are not winning games and are in the position we are is because we are not scoring enough goals
Disappointing again yesterday, shocking attempt at stopping the second goal and hardly bothered moving for the penalty. All I see are fingers pointed at our manager and 71 year old majority share holder, yet somehow our supposed international goalkeeper is immune from any criticism, despite the fact he's costing us points most weeks. Weak link this season he is, no matter how much people want to ignore it and look for scapegoats elsewhere.
Have to agree, Munky, which asks the question 'why is he still guaranteed his place every week when there's a more than competent understudy in Rudd'? Surely not to 'protect' his international status - which hangs by a thread - if at all? If it is that, another stick to beat immaturity out of the gaffer with. Roll on Wednesday and Phelan's arrival!!
It's the manager's fault for not spotting below par performances and insisting on extra coaching for Ruddy and/or giving Rudd a go, yes. That's part of Adams role at the club and he is paid vast sums of money to make decisions like that?
So nothing about the vast sums of money Ruddy is paid to make at least a few half decent saves at some point this season?
