Ryan Allsop and Bailey Peacock-Farrell have made a promise over Birmingham City battle
Ryan Allsop and Bailey Peacock-Farrell are vying to become Birmingham City's number one goalkeeper next season
Ryan Allsop and Bailey Peacock-Farrell have promised to be the perfect number two in the battle to become Birmingham City’s number one.
Blues have effectively signed two number ones to battle it out for their goalkeeping jersey in ex-Hull City stopper Allsop and Northern Ireland international Peacock-Farrell. The two glovesmen played 45 minutes each in Blues’ pre-season opener against SC Paderborn 07 on Saturday.
The competition between the pair promises to intensify in the run-up to the League One opener against Reading on August 10. Whoever comes out on top will be supported by the other, insists Allsop.
Allsop told BirminghamLive: “This is how Birmingham City Football Club should be. We want strength in depth and we want people pushing each other to be the best they can be. It can only be helpful for us both and for the team.
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“We obviously both want to play but we also know that one of us won’t. We’re both working hard and trying to stamp down the number one spot, so it will be an interesting pre-season for us and whichever way it does go, we will both support each other.”
Allsop is the more experienced goalkeeper and arrives at his boyhood club having played regularly in the Championship in the last three seasons. The 32-year-old was a fixture in the Hull side that narrowly missed out on the play-offs last term under Liam Rosenior.
The style Chris Davies is looking to introduce at Blues isn’t dissimilar to the one Allsop experienced under Rosenior. Allsop was lauded for his ball-playing skills and Blues’ goalkeepers are going to be judged on their ability with their feet as well as their hands.
Allsop added: “It’s very similar, something I’m comfortable doing and enjoy doing, and I feel like it brings out the best part of my game. It’s something I think the lads will enjoy playing.
“We have a lot to work on in terms of our structure and the way we want to press, and the movements going forward, but it’s going to be positive and I’m very much looking forward to the season starting.”