RUDDY HELL
Veteran keeper revealed: I shouted at protesting fans to get off pitch... they just shouted back: We want our club back
Jutkiewicz PRESTON
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VETERAN goalkeeper John Ruddy refuses to use fans’ protests as an excuse for Birmingham’s rotten run.
The 36-year-old found himself just a few feet away from two pitch invaders (right) as angry supporters turned on the club’s stay-away owners.
Ruddy revealed: “I tried to shout to them to get off the pitch, and all they shouted was, ‘We want our club back’. That indicates why they did what they did, it’s something we can’t control as players, it’s something the manager can’t control.
“We have no effect on what happens above us at boardroom level. What we can effect is what happens on the pitch - and for the last two months, we haven’t been good enough. It’s as simple as that.”
Ruddy was powerless to prevent a fifth successive Championship defeat and did not hold back afterwards in his analysis. “The fans have been exceptional with us as a team,” he said. “They have every right to voice their displeasure at what’s going on with their club - I’ve no issue with that.
“It’s never been reflected on us as players, they’ve been unbelievable with us this season. Ultimately, we’ve let the manager down these past few weeks. We’ve let the fans down as well.”
Birmingham conceded two goals in the first 15 minutes – through Ryan Ledson and Alan Browne (celebrating, below) – and could have been further behind by halftime.
A late consolation from Lukas Jutkiewicz glossed over what was a dismal performance.
Ruddy added: “There was a lack of basics, effort, determination, winning first, second balls. Those are regular occurrences at the moment and we need to address the slide very quickly.
“It’s the basics of football - run harder, fight harder and play higher up the pitch.
“We’re not doing any of those three things and if you’re not, then you’re never going to win a game.”
Preston boss
Ryan Lowe has not worked out why his team seem to shine on their travels and struggle at home but was delighted with the way they bounced back from a thrashing by Norwich.
Lowe said: “We had to get them in and debrief them and one or two harsh words were said.
“I thought every single one of them was different class.”