John Ruddy has said that he’s hoping to get back involved in the England set-up, having been well out of the frame for the past year. His loyalty to Norwich has been second to none, a trait that is much appreciated by the fans, but has it had a negative impact on his chances for international success?
“I didn’t focus on England at all this year. I knew playing in the Championship I wouldn’t be doing myself any favours.”
Now back in the Premier League, having secured promotion through the playoffs, it’s become much more of a priority. Regularly has he been overlooked by England boss Roy Hodgson whose team selection has at times been questionable and unjustifiable.
Ruddy has enjoyed just one England cap. That’s right, just one. And it was for 45 minutes in a friendly where he came on in the second half to replace Butland. Quickly he was involved, and quickly he fell under scrutiny. The Norwich ‘keeper was called into action to make various key saves including an impressive low shot which he tipped around the post. He kept a clean sheet (which is more than can be said for the man he replaced) and helped England to a 2-1 victory over Italy in Bern. However, it remains his only England performance.
John Ruddy’s England involvement should have been much greater; he was originally included in the squad for the 2012 European Championships. However, an unfortunate slice of luck fell his way – he broke his finger in pre-tournemant training.
Hodgson’s previous management of West Brom led him to develop a preference to Albion ‘keeper Ben Foster, meaning Ruddy was left in the shadows. The ‘keeper’s omission from the 2014 World Cup squad was testament to this, and due to Norwich’s own lack of success. It did seem a little unfair, though. Ben Foster had only just recovered from a very long injury, while Fraser Forster, who had no Premier League experience at the time, was also picked ahead of him. Was this not a case of Hodgson again being prejudice with the player playing for an ‘unfashionable club’? Whatever the reason, Ruddy missed out on the World Cup experience and many an opportunity (be that friendlies or qualifiers) in the years preceding it.
It comes as no surprise then that he wants to prove his doubters wrong and wriggle his way back into the set-up. And he feels his opportunity is now:
“Congratulations to Tom [Heaton], I thought he deserved to be called up for the last squad, he was unlucky but he has got the call-up for the summer and he’s a fantastic keeper. I’m delighted for him. He has done very well for Burnley this season but himself and Rob Green are now dropping down to the Championship.”
Clearly if Hodgson perseveres with the two mentioned it will be seen as one big hypocrisy.
‘My main aim was to get back into the Premier League and then knock on the door for that. We’ve done that”
Joe Hart and Fraser Forster both enjoyed impressive seasons, with the former beating the latter to the Golden Glove award with 14 clean sheets to 13. That third England place is the one up for grabs, and with Hodgson being so close to Foster I can’t see Ruddy getting any more of a look in than he has previously. But being a Premier League player once again will undoubtedly improve his stock and media focus. A season of good performances is what he really needs to challenge the other, currently preferred, options.
I say good luck to him, especially after a long ‘gruelling’ season in the Championship, amidst his own personal problems.
