Cocu Discusses Goalkeeper Switch After QPR Draw

Phillip Cocu admitted it was a ‘difficult decision’ to make a change between the posts for Derby County’s 1-1 draw at home to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon.

Cocu opted to start with on-loan Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Ben Hamer in goal in favour of Kelle Roos.

Hamer, who joined the Rams at the beginning of the season on a season-long loan deal, produced a steady display in the draw.

Roos had, until the draw with the R’s, started all of Derby’s league games so far this season.

The Derby boss made a change in goal for the meeting with Mark Warburton’s side and was of the opinion that Roos was ‘wasn’t at his best form’.

Speaking to RamsTV about the decision to change his goalkeeper, he said: “It is a very difficult decision to make.

“I was thinking about it after the defeat Fulham because you take a longer period of time where Kelle wasn’t at his best form.

“Now was the opportunity for Ben to show himself, but also for Kelle, who is still a good goalkeeper and important member of our team, just to step down and focus on training with our Goalkeeping Coach Shay Given.

“There are aspects he can work on in the next couple of weeks. Again, he has to push on and everybody can make their way back in the team again.”

Hamer’s only appearances so far this season prior to the draw with Queens Park Rangers were the Carabao Cup ties against Scunthorpe United and Nottingham Forest in August