Ryan’s efforts merit support not abuse
ALLSOP NOT PERFECT, BUT IS PANDUR THE ANSWER?
Saturday’s dominant 3-0 win over QPR was significant for a number of reasons, not least because it ensured Hull City’s hopes of securing a top six place remained alive. Given Norwich’s late winner at Preston, anything other than a victory for the Tigers would have extinguished those slim hopes.
It was also hugely important because, put simply, Liam Rosenior’s men have not won nearly enough games in front of their own supporters this season, and it was becoming a rather uncomfortable discussion. Away from those two important subjects, it saw Ryan Allsop and the City defence keep a clean sheet for just the fifth time in 21 league games.
Shut-outs haven’t been too regular this season, and their ability to continually shoot themselves in the foot at the back has been an ongoing theme throughout the season.
The midweek 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough generated plenty of discussion around Rosenior and his goalkeeper Allsop, and that continued right up to kick-off against Rangers after the former Derby County and Cardiff City stopper was named in the starting XI.
Allsop came under fire from supporters for the manner of the goal Boro scored after just four minutes when he was beaten at his near post by Emmanuel Latte Lath. Then followed a clamour to see Ivor Pandur given his Championship debut. Highly-rated as Pandur is, nobody has seen him play for Hull City in
English football. His only appearance so far came during the 1-0 friendly defeat against Curacao out in Antalya last month, that’s it.
The reaction after Wednesday was in some places, ridiculous with some quite unpleasant things written about Allsop, while Saturday saw some more bizarre comments from fans wanting a change in goal, for a player who has never played a competitive game in English football.
Allsop may not be perfect, and there have been moments this season where he, I suspect, would openly admit to making errors which have led to goals and in turn, dropped points.
Swansea away springs to mind, as does Watford at home and no doubt he would have been down after the way Boro scored twice in midweek, but he’s also human, and some of the vitriol has been absurd. He’s not the only one who has contributed to costly errors this season but appears to have become the scapegoat.
It was, however, heartening to see the South Stand applaud him when he wheeled away before kick-off as he clapped the supporters ahead of kick-off, though that did follow one or two audible jeers when his name was read out ahead of the game getting underway.
An early save inside a minute would have helped his confidence and that began to flow as the game wore on. Keeping a first clean sheet since the draw at Preston will give him confidence, and rightly so.
Rosenior values Allsop as a pivotal member of his squad, and he’s played his part in making important stops at crucial moments. The away win at Middlesbrough springs to mind as just one example.
The clamour for a change, of course, is nothing new in football, or indeed at City.
Earlier in the season, there was a desperation to see Matt Ingram replaced when Allsop arrived, and now with Pandur.
The Croatian has been signed as one for the future, and may well get his chance before the end of the campaign, but Rosenior is just not going to make a change in goal at this stage with so much still to play for unless he absolutely has to.
During the summer and ahead of next season, there may well be a change. Ingram will likely move on, Pandur will get his chance and he may well start the season as Rosenior’s number one. Only time will tell, but Allsop has done enough this season to warrant support and not abuse.