Redknapp may give gloves to Green as Cesar gets thumbs down after Villa debacle By NEIL MOXLEY PUBLISHED: 22:30, 17 March 2013 | UPDATED: 22:30, 17 March 2013 Comments (0) Share Robert Green began this season as QPR’s first-choice keeper and it looks as if he will end it that way after Julio Cesar suffered an afternoon to forget at Villa Park. Rangers boss Harry Redknapp was unusually coy after the final whistle as he dodged questions as to who would be given the gloves for the run-in. Former England No 1 Green lost his spot to the Brazil international earlier this season but regained it after a cameo at St Mary’s and a competent follow-up display during the victory over Sunderland. Afternoon to forget: Julio Cesar drew the ire of defender Chris Samba after his mistake led to Aston Villa's equaliser in Saturday's match Replacement: Rob Green may return as QPR goalkeeper for the remainder of the season as the London club desperately try to avoid relegation Green was likely to have kept his spot — Cesar missed the triumph over the Black Cats with a hip problem — but a virus stymied his comeback on Saturday. And Redknapp was rightly furious with his side’s defending during the 3-2 defeat. ‘We should have dealt with it better,’ was his verdict on the first goal, and Cesar will not look back on Andreas Weimann’s second with much fondness. The manager’s summation of the third goal to hit Rangers’ net was unprintable. Enraged: Harry Redknapp slammed his team's defending as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at Villa Park Asked whether Green would have played, had he been fit, Redknapp replied: ‘Oh, I couldn’t say that, could I? ‘I’d be putting myself right under the cosh. I don’t need that at the moment. Why would I cause myself a problem saying that?’ A vote of confidence for Cesar, it wasn’t. At the other end, Villa keeper Brad Guzan made match-turning saves as he has done so often for Paul Lambert this season. He is likely to feature heavily in Villa’s end-of-season awards. Christian Benteke, who scored the winner with his 17th of the season, and man-of-the-match Andreas Weimann will be his rivals. Vital interventions: Brad Guzan made a series of important saves to earn Villa the win The American’s fingertip stop from Chris Samba’s 10th-minute header was sensational but Weimann’s industry caught the eye and even though Benteke lost numerous battles against Rangers’ giant defender, he eventually won the war. Weimann is out of contract next season. Talks are ongoing over an improved deal, according to the club, though sources elsewhere say they have been put on hold until Villa secure their Premier League status. ‘Andi was very good,’ said Villa skipper Ron Vlaar, ‘his workrate statistics are unbelievable. He’s announced himself as a player this season. ‘He’s in the right place at the right time to score and he’s very important to us. It’s important he stays at Villa.’ Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...keeper-Julio-Cesar-shocker.html#ixzz2NqDhL9Eq Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Good post 9s. I am certain Harry is man enough to drop anyone if they under-perfom, including the Brazil No 1 keeper! Did I really just type that?!! I was not there but watching MOTD gave me the distinct impression it was not one for JC's memory scrap book.
Green is prone to the odd clanger himself but on the last few games he has played he seems to have a new found belief. If fit I'd drop cesar and play green
Cesar made a catalogue of errors at Swansea too. I'd say that Green has made less errors than JC this season and has done well for us whenever called upon. I'd go for Green at the moment.
Three of our last four games have been littered by clangers from Caesar resulting in a number of goals against us. Just when we needed our "big game" players to step up at the crucial moment, they failed us. Whittingham was banging on about Villa's kids being there for the taking because our experience would drown them on the big stage. He couldn't have been more wrong.
Huge fan of Cesar and I was highly critical of Green's signing but am certain we missed him on Saturday. Not sure if Cesar is carrying an injury or just needs time to come back after being sidelined but it should always be the form keeper's spot until they drop the baton. No room for reputations.
Well remembered Swords, that's a very good point. Too true Matt. No room for unfit players either Imo. A team can't carry an unfit goalie and an unfit striker who doesn't strike even when fit.
I'm in two minds about Zamora. He definitely adds something when he's on the pitch (not goals but he hasn't really done that since his Brighton days) but, as Stainrod's thread implied, we have an alternative. Ironically, Bothroyd has played very well when given a chance since he's come back. We've had a couple of games where injuries have forced our hand with substitutions and, with BZ in the team, we're already down to two subs before we've even started. A gamble but one we need to take for the time being... just.
I can't disagree with any of that Matt mate. It seems all very reasonable to me. I feel that if we started with a fit keeper and a fit striker we wouldn't have lost against Villa. Cesar not coming to clear or claim the ball for their first goal will prove to be a crucial moment of our season.
100% agree that their first cost us the game on Saturday but am strangely confident that we can still be in the final reckoning provided Harry doesn't let the game linger too long. Our last three outings is sufficient form for about 38 points and if we attack like we have in the last 2 and defend like we should (and have done mostly in 2013) then it's feasible.
