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The Pros And Cons Of Birmingham Signing Rob Green

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Our rumoured interest in Rob Green isn’t at all surprising. Garry Monk worked with the former England international at Leeds and it isn’t hard to see why that, with two of our senior goalkeepers set to leave this summer, he may consider him as a possible signing.

So, what are pros and cons of recruiting the 38-year-old?

Pros

1) He’s experienced

Green has 12 England caps and 634 senior club appearances to his name. There aren’t many more experienced keepers out there, and he could offer the younger stoppers in the squad his insight and knowledge.

If Monk is considering him as a number two, he could be a useful addition to the squad.

2) He could be less of a drain on wages

With David Stockdale reportedly on a high salary, it is believed the decision to sell the ex Brighton goalkeeper is to free up the wage bill in order to get other signings through the door.

If the ex Norwich City stopper is prepared to play for a relatively modest weekly wage, he could be an economical replacement.

3) He knows the manager’s methods

As we have already mentioned, Green was Monk’s first-choice keeper at Leeds United. Our manager is reportedly a big fan of the 38-year-old and is said to be keen on working with the player again.

The veteran knows what will be expected of him as soon as he signs for the club.

Cons

1) He’s at the end of his career

The fact he has been released by Huddersfield Town after playing just one League Cup game last season kind of sums things up. At 38, he is close to retirement, and there is nothing to suggest he can recapture the form he had in his younger days.

Most, if not all fans, would much rather have a younger number one who could be in goal for a number of years, rather than having a short-term solution.

2) He wouldn’t be an improvement on Stockdale

If he does come to St Andrew’s as a number one, I can’t see him being much of an improvement on the man he is replacing between the sticks.

Stockdale didn’t cover himself in glory last season, but he is still a decent goalkeeper, and I don’t think we’d be getting an improvement if Green is his replacement.

3) We could just keep Kuszczak

If he comes to the club as an understudy, rather than as a number one, wouldn’t it be best just to stick with our Polish goalkeeper instead?

Kuszczak is two years younger than Green and has another year left on his contract. Wouldn’t it be more sensible just to keep the 36-year-old instead of trading him in?

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