Conor Coady ‘absolutely made up’ for Wolves' John Ruddy
Wolves captain Conor Coady has paid tribute to John Ruddy, saying the players were ‘absolutely made up’ after the keeper’s contribution to Monday’s FA Cup win over Liverpool.
Ruddy helped earn Wolves victory over the Reds with a superb save to tip Xherdan Shaqiri’s free-kick on to the post, with Wolves 2-1 up at the time.
Ruddy was a key part of Wolves’ Championship-winning side, but has barely featured this season, playing just three times in the cups with Rui Patricio getting the nod in the league.
Coady said of his team-mate: “We were all absolutely made up for him.
“He’s a huge part of this football club and the dressing room.
“When he comes in and performs like that – you know what you’re going to get from him, game by game, whichever game he plays.
“He was outstanding on Monday, the way he talks to everyone, the way he brings everyone together.
“He’s a big part of the dressing room. We know we can go to him and he’ll give great advice to al the boys.
“It’s great to have him behind you. It doesn’t matter if it’s him or Rui – they’re both sensational keepers, we’re very lucky to have them.”
And of Ruddy’s save to deny Shaqiri, Coady joked: “He never saved it, don’t give him that one! It hit the post!
“No, he’s such an outstanding keeper and a brilliant lad.”
Ex-Liverpool man Coady beat his former club for the second time, having been part of the team that beat the Reds by the same scoreline in the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2017.
He felt it was important to bounce back from the 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace a few days earlier.
“For me it’s huge to beat Liverpool, it was a fantastic performance from the lads and it’s brilliant for everyone involved,” Coady added.
“We’ve got a strong team, no matter who we play. We’re all one.
“We know our jobs inside out and we know whoever comes in will do the exact same as those who go out.
“It’s important as a team we bounced back. The Palace game wasn’t good enough so we wanted to go into Monday, no matter what competition, to win.
“Luckily we played well and got the result. It’s something the club can be proud of.”
Wolves will either travel to play Shrewsbury Town or Stoke City in the fourth round.
Coady said of the draw: “It’s a great draw.
“To have a Cup run would be sensational. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, we’ll go in with the same belief.”
