3/1 To Win
Ryan Allsop has labelled himself as ‘really happy’ to keep back-to-back clean sheets in his opening two league games for Derby County.
Allsop, who is 29, kept his place in between the posts as Derby drew 0-0 with Swansea City at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The summer signing from Wycombe Wanderers impressed in the 1-0 home win over Reading in midweek, with Kelle Roos serving a one-match ban after being sent off in last weekend’s loss at Sheffield United.
His showing against the Royals impressed manager Wayne Rooney, who opted to stick with Allsop for the clash with the Swans.
Allsop made a good early save from Jake Bidwell and displayed immaculate handling in torrential conditions as the rain poured down throughout the afternoon.
The shot-stopper was keen to pay tribute to his team-mates as they produced a resilient display to extend their unbeaten run on home turf to six matches this season in the Sky Bet Championship.
Speaking to RamsTV after the game, Allsop said: “I am really happy with the clean sheet today and it couldn’t have gone any better really in terms of keeping back-to-back clean sheets this week.
“It was a difficult game today; they had a lot of the ball and it was difficult to get a grasp of their movement.
“They had the ball around our box a lot, but I don’t think they ever really threatened us to be honest. We defended brilliantly from front to back and the spirit is really showing on the pitch.”
He added: “I had a couple of saves to make in the first half and I like to think I’ll be there when called upon and to bail the boys out like they would do for me.
“It’s important that we keep that mentality going forward. I feel like there’s an overwhelming positivity in the dressing room and a massive togetherness, which I think is important going forwards into the rest of the season in terms of keeping everyone’s spirits high.”
Derby have the joint best defensive record in the Championship alongside league leaders AFC Bournemouth.
They have only conceded eight times in eleven games and Allsop is confident the Rams have a solid base to work from moving forward.
The side sit bottom of the table, owing to the 12 points deducted for entering administration last month, and Allsop is confident the squad has what it takes to get out the bottom three.
He said: “Our defensive record it is massive and something that the gaffer and the staff have implemented into us.
“They want us to be solid and resolute and work from a solid base, which I think is showing and we’re getting the rewards in terms of clean sheets.
“With a few tweaks, I think we can turn those draws into wins.”
Over 21,000 fans were in attendance at Pride Park as the Rams entered the October international break in a positive manner.
Allsop has heaped praise on the Derby faithful for the backing they’ve given the side in testing circumstances off the field.
“The support is massive, honestly massive,” he said. “You could see today we were tired form Wednesday night and putting everything on the line.
“The crowd got us over the line today. The noise and atmosphere was unbelievable and it’ll be massive going forwards.”
Derby return to league action following the October international break with a trip to Preston North End on Saturday 16th October (3pm kick-off).
