Ryan: I hope the position is mine to lose now that I’ve had a taste
KEEPER HAS KEPT CLEAN SHEETS SINCE GETTING IN
DERBY County goalkeeper Ryan Allsop hopes he has done enough in his last three appearances to keep the number one shirt.
Allsop was thrust into unexpected action off the bench when Kelle Roos was sent off against Sheffield United last month in the 1-0 defeat at Bramall Lane for his first League minutes since signing as a free agent in the summer.
He had already featured against the Blades in the second round of the Carabao Cup a month before, as well as in the first round earlier in August, when he was the penaltysaving hero on his competitive debut for the Rams.
Since getting a taste of first team action as a substitute, the 29-year-old was in from the start for the win against Reading while Roos served a one-match ban and, most notably, kept his place for the 0-0 draw against Swansea City in Derby’s last outing.
Allsop says manager Wayne Rooney kept him guessing about whether he would retain his place and his hope that it is now his spot to lose after the international break. “I was 50-50 about if I would be in the team,” he said.
“My mindset is a playing mindset whether I am the number two goalkeeper or not.
“Kelle was brilliant in the first part of the season and his red card at Sheffield United was maybe a little harsh but it gave me my opportunity and I just wanted to take it. “Luckily, the manager has kept faith with me and kept me in the team, so, hopefully, it’s up to me now to keep the shirt with Kelle, and David Marshall too, breathing down my neck.”
He says the support offered to him by Roos has been “brilliant.”
The Dutchman enjoyed a positive start to the campaign himself and kept two clean sheets in the season’s opening five League games.
Roos was on the bench against Swansea after returning from suspension and provided plenty of encouragement.
“We have a great relationship as goalkeepers and push each other really hard in training every day,” said Allsop.
“Hopefully, it’s my position to lose and mine to keep hold of but that is down to the manager.
“Kelle was brilliant on Saturday and I am sure it was difficult for him not to come back in.
“I understand that and we know it’s important that we stay together and push each other every day.”
Allsop works with head goalkeeping coach Jason Pearcey on a daily basis.
Pearcey was appointed in January when Rooney took over permanently as manager.
He was previously a coach in Derby’s Academy.
“Jason’s been brilliant,” he said. “His enthusiasm, aura around the place and everything about him has been great.
“I spoke to him in the summer about coming here and knew it was
Kelle was brilliant on Saturday and I am sure it was difficult for him not to come back in. Ryan Allsop
the move I wanted.
“We managed to get it over the line and working together day in day out has been brilliant, as it has been with Kelle and Marshy. We’ve all got a good working relationship.”
Ahead of the Swansea match, assistant manager Liam Rosenior singled out Allsop for particular praise for how he has seized his opportunity.
“It’s no surprise to me that Ryan Allsop comes in and plays really well,” said Rosenior, “because the way he handles training every day, the way that he works, he works at 100% to be sharp for his opportunity.”