James Beadle has been Birmingham City’s No. 1 for most of this season despite calls for Ryan Allsop to be recalled to the side
James Beadle of Birmingham City
Chris Davies has thrown his full backing behind James Beadle after the goalkeeper put in an erratic performance in Birmingham City’s 3-1 loss to Middlesbrough on Monday evening.
The England Under-21 looked uncomfortable throughout the first half, in which he collided with Jonathan Panzo and also suffered a swelling over an eye.
Blues’ inability to play through Middlesbrough’s press, starting with Beadle, meant most of their performance was built on sand and inevitably resulted in defeat.
Not for the first time this season Beadle was given stick by some Blues fans who would rather see Ryan Allsop play against Charlton Athletic this weekend.
However, Davies preferred to deflect blame from the Brighton loanee. “It was a night that will serve James well because he had to deal with real adversity for a spell in that game,” he said.
“James is a young goalkeeper with huge promise and he’s come here to impact this season and develop. He will have done that, whatever happens at the end of the season. He’s an exceptional goalkeeper.
“You could see the way the other players were supporting him and the way the team was playing wasn’t helping him. We were giving him the ball too much, not making good enough angles, and everything else like that.
“You can make too much of these things. There was so much that we could have done better. James has got my complete support. I always speak to them and support them. Absolutely. No doubt about that.
“He is improving. Sometimes you forget he’s 21 and that is really young for a goalkeeper but he’s built up a lot of experience, he’s at a Premier League club, there’s high hopes for James.
“He’s seen in the international set-up as someone who can keep going on that pathway. That tells you what people think of him.
“I do think he’s improved. He’s had to battle for his place this season and I was clear with that when he came in because Ryan Allsop had done so well for me. James had to fight for his position but he did it and I think he’s had a good season, absolutely.”
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