Stolarczyk: Goalkeepers Always Have To Be Ready
- Jakub Stolarczyk reflects on Leicester City's 3-0 win over Birmingham City
- That King Power Stadium success puts the Foxes into the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup
- Jamie Vardy, Yunus Akgün and Dennis Praet struck after a challenging first half
- Stolarczyk was pleased to contribute with an array of saves on Filbert Way
Second-half goals from Jamie Vardy, Yunus Akgün and Dennis Praet ultimately made the difference at King Power Stadium, but a string of Stolarczyk saves kept Tony Mowbray's visitors at bay before the break.
City will discover their fifth-round opponents in Sunday's draw, estimated to take place at 2pm, and Stolarczyk took pride both his own performance and in the efforts of the team on Filbert Way.
"In the first half, I had a couple of saves to make but, at the end of the day, that’s what I’m there for – to help the team," the Polish youngster said. "We couldn’t get going, really, in that first half, so I had some stuff to do.
"I can’t say I expected them but I’ve always got to be switched on in goal, no matter whether it’s the first minute, or the 45th, or the 90th. I’ve always got to be switched on and ready to make that save. I’ve always got to be ready for anything.
"I made those saves and then we went in 0-0 at half-time, so I felt like I helped the team during the first half. Going into the second half, the team got going and we scored three goals, so we’re through to the next round."
Vardy's 47th-minute header changed the complexion of the fourth-round tie in the East Midlands, and Stolarczyk believes opening the scoring gave City's much-changed side reassurance in the match.
"It gave us a lot of confidence," he added. "We didn’t get off to the best start in the first 45. When we scored that first goal, it gave everybody confidence and we got a grip of the game. We just got going and we played our own game and we’re happy to go into the next round."
Stolarczyk has played regularly in Leicester's cup competitions this term and is excited by the prospect of another FA Cup outing.
"It's always exciting, going through to the next round of the FA Cup," the 23-year-old explained. "I’ve had the experience to play in the first couple of rounds at Fleetwood on loan, so it’s always exciting.
"There’s something exciting about this competition so hopefully, for me personally, there’ll be another game and minutes under my belt. I’m just looking forward to who we’re going to get.
"Whoever we face, it’s always a different experience, every team is different, so I don’t have anyone particularly I want us to face but we’ve got to be ready for anything."