As he waits for his opportunity to make his Championship debut for Hull City in the final weeks of the season, Ivor Pandur feels perseverance is the key.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper, who joined from Dutch Eredivisie team Fortuna Sittard in January, had to wait his turn at first because Matt Ingram was Ryan Allsop’s backup goalie. However, the former Croatian Under-21 international has been benched in recent weeks.
Pandur has actually started as the backup goalie in each of the last eight Championship games, and it is anticipated that he will start in that role again on Good Friday when City plays Stoke in front of a sell-out crowd at MKM Stadium to begin the play-off run-in after the international break.
Pandur made his debut in a City shirt during the international break, playing ninety minutes in the friendly loss to Curacao at the Corendon Airlines Park Stadium in Antalya. However, he made it clear after meeting Liam Rosenior that he would have to wait for his Championship bow.
“When I first arrived at the club, we had a meeting, and he merely gave me an update on the situation. All I have to do is wait for my chance,” the Croatian said to Hull Live. “Ryan is playing pretty well right now, which is beneficial for the squad. The group is what matters most. It’s far bigger than that, therefore now is not the time to act selfishly. When the team is performing well and changes aren’t necessary all that often, everyone is in complete agreement. Everybody that is here wants to play. That’s what matters if it improves the team.
Ryan Allsop and Matt Ingram are City’s two exceptional Championship goalkeepers. Young David Robson is a member of Barry Richardson’s goalkeeping squad, and Pandur reports that team spirit is strong.
“It is the hardest thing about being a goalkeeper because if you are playing, you are playing – you stay there,” he said. “You can’t get 10 or 15 minutes to showcase yourself or sit on the bench like with outfield players. In training, however, you may demonstrate yourself, keep getting better, and bide your time. It’s waiting for that chance and being prepared for it for me.
The camaraderie among the players is the best feature of this team. We have a great time working with Baz (Richardson) and enjoying each other’s company as we workout. We work through complex scenarios that I haven’t previously had the opportunity to work through in this manner. I am always pleased, enthusiastic, and eager to get better when I go to training. The union of the goalkeeper is to blame for that. They’re all kind and laid back with one another. We just keep pushing each other; there’s no jealousy here.”
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