TO be Blues’ No.1 – or not to be.
That is the question.
Well, it’s certainly the teaser facing Chris Davies this season as the term ‘genuine competition for places’ was given a twist following James Beadle’s arrival on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
If every Blues fan out there was quizzed over the needs and wants ahead of a new season, it’s fair bet that a lot of them would have replied: “Pace in wide areas/up front.”
Not many would have singled out the goalkeeping position as being one with room for improvement.
If everyone casts their minds back 12 months there was a question over who would be the regular standing between the sticks.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell came with a reputation for plying his trade at a higher level and looked to be a genuine doubt over whether he, or Ryan Allsop, would step forward.
Now, of course, we know the answer.
It can’t have helped the Northern Ireland international’s cause when he dropped one of the worst clangers of all time against Peterborough United, when Ricky-Jade Jones took advantage of some dithering following Christoph Klarer’s backpass.
Peacock-Farrell only appeared once more in the league after that – when Allsop was sidelined for the trip to Bolton Wanderers. And, at the age of 28, he has now moved away from St Andrew’s to Blackpool on a season loan as – can we say this – a more flaveur du jour has been brought in.
So Beadle’s appearance is, ultimately, what a manager wants: players scratching out each other’s eyes for a spot in the team.
But there is also the saying – in life, as much as football – that if it ain’t broke, why fix it?
Allsop has serious credit in the bank following a campaign that wasn’t lauded as much as it might have been.
Now, work commitments prevented me from watching every single Blues game but there can be no doubt that the keeper, at the age of 32, was a calming influence at the back.
The distribution with his feet has always been good, courtesy of the fact that was an outfield player as a youngster growing up as one of three kids in his school (out on the fringes of the Black Country) who followed Blues.
Such stoicism would have stood him in good stead as he faced the prospect of battling it out with Peacock-Farrell last season.
But there were several occasions and one that springs to mind personally is the game against Northampton Town at St Andrew’s.
The Cobblers were supposed to play the part of unwilling victims but it took a superb stop from Jon Guthrie to prevent the visitors taking a surprise lead.
There were many other occasions – a penalty save at Lincoln City – which proved crucial. Not just on the day, but overall.
Yet, it’s sometimes more than that. The stuff that fans can never see.
The fact that Allsop is a respected senior voice. He’s part of the leadership group.
Plus, he’s got experience at this level. It’s not as if he’s a rookie coming into a league he knows nothing about.
In fairness, neither is Beadle.
His last two campaigns have been spent on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
A big football club, struggling under the weight of confused Far East leadership, stuck in a revolving cycle from which there appears little way out.
Doesn’t that sound familiar?
Despite being dropped following a defeat in the Steel derby last March, Beadle comes into Blues with the confidence boost of having played a full part in England’s Under-21 European Championship victory.
However, he is going to have a job on his hands to oust Allsop.
The amiable big Brummie is the man holding the jersey at the moment, based on how both were used for friendlies.
But it would be a brave call by the manager if he was to blood Beadle in the season’s opener against Ipswich Town.
It’s up to Allsop to perform – because if he doesn’t, the margins for error are really tight.
