Birmingham City manager Chris Davies has praised Ryan Allsop for his growing influence as the club’s No. 1 goalkeeper but insists Bailey Peacock-Farrell will get further opportunities this season.
The competition between the two senior keepers has been a hot topic, with both having featured for the Blues so far in the campaign.
Allsop, currently the man in possession of the starting spot, has been instrumental for Birmingham in recent matches, notably securing his fourth clean sheet of the season in their recent 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers. However, Davies is clear that Peacock-Farrell will have his chance to shine once again, having “responded well” to being benched.
Goalkeeper Rotation at Birmingham
Davies has made it clear that the rotation between Allsop and Peacock-Farrell is a deliberate strategy. “The whole objective for me was to build a squad, not a team, and we’ve got a very good squad,” Davies explained.
Allsop’s patience paid off as he was given his League One debut after waiting nearly two months for the opportunity. Since then, he has made his mark with standout moments, including a crucial late save against Bolton that prevented a potential equalizer.
Competition for the No. 1 Spot
While Allsop has impressed with his commanding presence and shot-stopping ability, Davies has emphasized that both goalkeepers are equally capable.
“I said to them it’s not one’s a number one and one’s a number two, you’re both number ones. That’s how I wanted it,” Davies remarked, stressing the importance of having two high-quality keepers to avoid any potential issues if one gets injured.
Peacock-Farrell, who recently recovered from a shoulder injury, is likely to see action in upcoming fixtures, potentially in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match against Fulham or the FA Cup clash with Sutton United. Davies assures fans that Peacock-Farrell is ready to step in when called upon and has continued to work hard in training.
“They have to support each other and wait for their moments,” Davies added. “Bailey has responded well, working hard in training and he’ll get some game time as well at some point, but I think Ryan has dealt with this season really well.”
Writer’s View
The competition between Allsop and Peacock-Farrell is a testament to Birmingham City’s strength in depth. While Allsop has seized his chance and delivered key performances, Peacock-Farrell’s determination and readiness to return to the starting lineup ensure that Davies has two reliable options. This healthy rivalry is a positive for the Blues as they navigate a busy schedule.
