Gavin Bazunu and Caoimhin Kelleher both played for their clubs last night. While Kelleher's save went around the internet, Jonty Colman was watching Bazunu playing for Portsmouth.
Bazunu has become a household name in Ireland after some stellar performances for the national side over recent weeks.
But playing in League One means it's hard for anyone here to watch him regularly. Jonty Colman is the Portsmouth correspondent for Hampshire Live. Colman watches Bazunu every game for his club side and it won't surprise you to learn he's seeing a lot of what Irish fans are seeing in the Aviva Stadium.
“He's quickly become a fan favourite," Colman said.
"Since he's come into the team it's been impossible to take him out. He's been excellent. Pompey have made 14 signings this season...and Gavin Bazunu is a very strong favourite to be the best of the lot."
Not only does Bazunu have his own song already, but he's also won over a fanbase who were not happy to lose their established starter from last season. Bazunu came in with skepticism because of his statistics from his loan spell at Rotherham. His playing style and consistency quickly washed those skeptics away.
"He's quite a maverick goalkeeper when you watch him, he plays so high up. He plays like a fifth defender almost. He's almost level with the center backs.
Some of his passing is exquisite, it really is. He's attempted 158 short passes in the league this season and he's only not made one of them, which is quite bonkers really. It's not just that he's made some great saves as well.
Pompey were fearful they'd have problems in goals this season but those fears have quickly gone away.”
Gavin Bazunu conceded two goals today but one statistic really stood out 🇮🇪⚽️🔥
The Ireland keeper had the best passing percentage on the pitch (100%) with a staggering 42/42 passes 📊
This included 6 accurate long balls and four other passes into the opposition half 🎯 pic.twitter.com/XFSqF62E07
— Kenny's Kids (@KennysKids) September 18, 2021
Despite playing in League One, Bazunu is playing on big stages each week. More than 10,000 people attend Portsmouth games on a regular basis. Bazunu is having to deal with the weight of expectations and a crowd that will be quick to get on his back.
He's not showing any signs of concern though, carrying out his usual composed actions on the field.
There is a strong Irish contingent at Portsmouth. The other notable name for Stephen Kenny's Ireland squad is Ronan Curtis. Colman offered an optimistic outlook on Curtis despite his slow start to the club season.
“Ronan Curtis...he got his first league goal on Saturday. He's had a bit of a slow start to the season by his standards. He's a pretty regular goalscorer for someone who is a natural left winger. You're guaranteed 10-15 goals a season with him.
That goal is going to do him a world of confidence. He'll be a bit disappointed to have gone away with Ireland this month and not played a single minute.”
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