Ryan Allsop opens up on ‘surreal’ moment, research and what Birmingham City must ‘get rid of’
Ryan Allsop enjoyed the ‘surreal’ experience of being serenaded by the supporters he used to rub shoulders with after saving a crucial penalty in Birmingham City’s win at Lincoln.
The goalkeeper was called into action midway through the second half, with the score 2-1 to Blues, after Paik Seung-ho had brought down Conor McGrandle inside the box. Allsop dived low to his right to thwart Lincoln substitute Reeco Hackett from 12 yards.
Allsop has saved two of the three penalties he has faced this season. The only man to beat Allsop from the spot is Fulham striker Raul Jimenez.
Even though Hackett had only been on the pitch for a matter of seconds, Allsop was ready for him. “He was on the list,” said the 32-year-old. “Me and Maik (Taylor - Blues' goalkeeping coach) looked at them on the coach on the way here, as we do every game. We write the potential takers down and decide which way they are likely to go, then decide in the moment. It was well done between me and Maik today.”
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Penalty takers have become more difficult to read for goalkeepers in recent years with many adopting an approach where they don’t even look at the ball. More and more are copying the techniques of Ivan Toney and Cole Palmer by staring the goalkeeper down and waiting for a movement. That is why research is more important than ever.
Allsop added: “The way the game has gone, players are better at disguising where they are going to go so it is very much down to research. Luckily the research paid off for us.”
The 1,797 Bluenoses, which included a few members of the Allsop clan, behind the goal responded to his heroics by making his dreams come true. It was Allsop’s turn to fist-pump the away end this week.
“I’m really proud,” he said. “It’s obviously a club I grew up supporting, my dad used to bring me to the games, so it’s a huge honour and privilege to put on the shirt.
"It’s a bit surreal. I used to be the one in there singing, to have them sing my name makes me proud. I’m really proud of myself.
“My mom and dad were here, and my aunty, they come to every game. I’m sure my wife was watching at home with my kids. It’s a proud moment for me but we look to the next game back at our place and hopefully we can get the three points again.”
Blues manager Chris Davies wasn’t completely satisifed after watching his team concede from a throw-in for the second league game running. Allsop wasn’t either after losing his clean sheet after just 34 seconds at Sincil Bank following another slow start.
The goalkeeper admitted: “It’s very frustrating. It’s something that can’t happen. We need to get rid of that and start starting games better but the reaction was unbelievable and we’ve shown that again. When we’ve had setbacks we’ve reacted really well and shown our quality.”