Ruddy kept 15 clean sheets in Scotland last season for Motherwell

Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy hopes he has finally laid to rest the memory of last season's promotion hero Fraser Forster.

The 23-year-old's late penalty save spurred the Canaries to victory against Swansea City on Saturday.

He told BBC Radio Norfolk: "You've got the legend of Fraser Forster still around the club, but I've said before, we're completely different goalkeepers.

"He did a fantastic job but I'm here now and that's all that matters."

Ruddy gave away the penalty in a one-on-one with Swans striker Scott Sinclair but brushed himself off to tip David Cotterill's spot-kick on to the post.

"It meant a lot. It was a good moment for me but I shouldn't have given it away in the first place," he added.

Forster helped steer Norwich back to the Championship last season with 18 clean sheets while on-loan from Newcastle United.

But City boss Paul Lambert was unable to persuade the Magpies to let him stay for another campaign so he brought in Ruddy from Everton.

Lambert acknowledged it had not been easy for Ruddy to replace his highly rated predecessor.

"John's had the ghost of Fraser Forster hanging over him for months on end and it's not an easy thing," he said.

"Hopefully, he's laid that to rest because I thought he's been terrific."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version