John Ruddy

I know I shouldn't, but these bloody Arsenal rumours will not go away.

They get substance in his not being picked even though he is our (and one of the Prem's) best keeper and an essential part of the team-leader, organiser, presence. And that he's fit. Not "match fit"? Well, neither are several of our players, that doesn't stop them appearing week in, week out.

Bunn has done a good job but you don't keep the number 2 at anything in just to be nice-you are ruthless, you do what's best for the team and you play the best available. Which is Ruddy.

If we go down then he'll be off anyway but I wouldn't like to think a deal has been revealed on the quiet for the end of the season that the club thought it could smother with the twin joy of Prem survival and RVW signing.

Now that the former seems very much in question and the arrival of the latter, as a result, unlikely-despite what the Chief Exec says-a Ruddy departure will not sit well at all. And if its for silly money...then oh dear oh dear...

Hopefully he's still not 100% and the U-21 matches have shown that. But, even so...the current climate around the club is breeding all sorts of stuff and I'm catching it all!

Posted By: Martin Peters, May 5, 09:08:37