Is Letting Rob Green Go A Good Move For Leeds?
Although the fans don’t seem to be overly pleased by it, Leeds United have made goalkeeper Rob Green available for transfer, having signed Felix Wiedwald from Werder Bremen.
The former England stopper boasts well over 250 Premier League appearances as well as 12 England caps but has had his share of problems over the years in terms of his concentration. A notable slip-up during the World Cup in 2010 allowing the Americans to score, would weigh heavy on his mind no doubt, and at a lower level, a similar lack of concentration allowed Dwight Gayle to nip in and score for Newcastle at Elland Road last term in the Championship.
There is little doubt that he has let himself down in the past in fleeting moments and for a goalkeeper, those moments tend to stick in the memories of fans and unfortunately, the media too. However, I refuse to believe that numerous managers can be wrong about him and one of his redeeming features is his longevity to this point.
Between 2007 and 2010, Green played every single game for West Ham United in the Premier League. The following season, he missed just one and again in the Championship, having stuck with the Hammers, he played 45 of 46 games in 2011/12.
All 48 of QPR’s games were overseen from the back by Green in 2013/14 and more pertinently, all 46 Championship games for Leeds United last season.
In all that time, he has done precious little wrong. Because of the amount of football he has played, a few mistakes are bound to creep in. He has played his football at a high level and of course, it means that any mistakes are high profile too. But I feel he has an unfair reputation now.
I only wish a stat was available to show how many goals, more importantly, points, have been saved for Norwich, West Ham, QPR and Leeds by Green over the years.
Full credit goes to the Leeds fans who have voiced their despair at this decision on social media, recognising the job he did in almost achieving playoff football for the club last term, and this may not work out too well for the Elland Road side.
That said, we should reserve full judgement until we have seen what effect Wiedwald can have on the side. If he proves to be Leeds’ own Manuel Neuer (doubtful) then we can all just shut up!
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