With his appearances for Wolves so far this season being limited to cup competition, the 33-year-old goalkeeper will be hoping to be back among the starting line-up when his side travel to Old Trafford next week, but despite the chance to get his fifth start of the season in the replay, Ruddy believed Wolves should have sealed progression in the cup at the first time of asking.
On keeping a clean sheet
“A clean sheet means an awful lot – it’s like scoring a goal for me, but I do think it’s more of a team effort. The lads have done exceptionally well, very organised and limited them to little or no chances at all, and ultimately disappointed that we didn’t get through the tie tonight.
“We were disappointed at half-time with the performance, it was a bit lacklustre, but we came out in the second-half and looked like ourselves again.
“We created chances, Doc had the one disallowed and they hit the top of the bar off Coads’ block, but I still think we did enough to win it, but it’s another game that we’ll look forwards to and hopefully do the job up there.”
On missing first opportunity to progress
“I think that is why there was frustration in the dressing room after the game, thinking it was ours to take really and with Doc’s disallowed goal it felt quite unfortunate as I think we deserved it.
“But we’re pleased with the second-half performance more than the first-half, and if we can continue that vain of form next week against Newcastle and then the replay, then we’ll be fine.”
On making appearances in the cups
“It was the same last year. We had Liverpool here in the third round and then United in the quarter-final, so we’ve had big games here in the cups.
“For me, it’s a great opportunity to get some minutes under my belt and I’m probably the only one pleased that we’ve got another game coming up as well!”
On Wolves taking the FA Cup seriously
“Of course. We said this last season and we’ll say it again this year, with the squad that we have, we are thin on the ground, so it’s going to take everybody in every competition to make sure we’re competing in every single game.
“Against United, the first-half wasn’t a great reflection on what we did last year, the second-half was more like it and that’s why we looked the better team.”
On being back-up to Patricio
“I’ve said before that I’d like to play more, and I don’t think any back-up or second-choice keeper in the country would say any different.
“It is what it is, but we’ve got a really tight-knit squad, we work for each other and make sure everybody’s ready no matter who’s playing. Whether it’s league, cup or Europa League, we’re prepare for every game and back the lads to do well, whoever’s chosen.”
