Derby County manager Phillip Cocu has stated that the reason Ben Hamer came in for Kelle Roos is down to the latter needing time to focus on training.

The Rams have had a rather inconsistent beginning to the campaign, and Saturday's 1-1 draw with QPR was another fixture where Derby failed to light up the game.

Hamer started in goal and made some impressive stops having come in for the dropped Roos. In the 3-0 defeat to Fulham in the week, Roos didn't have a great game and has been subsequently left out of the starting XI.

Cocu has expressed that he felt Hamer deserved the opportunity and Roos now needs time to focus on training and work on different aspects of his game.

Speaking to Rams TV, Cocu said: “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.”

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The Verdict

It's always an interesting debate when you decide to take a goalkeeper out of a side, especially when he's not making direct mistakes for goals. However, Hamer had an excellent game on Saturday, so it was a justified move from Cocu.

There's a lot of expectation from Derby every season, and being mid-table, there is an opportunity that with a few good results they can challenge near the top half of the Championship.

It's good to see Cocu making bold decisions, and he has to keep doing that if he wants to be successful at the club.