Robert Green escapes Football Association punishment
West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green will not be punished by the Football Association for gestures he made after the 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Green was seen making defiant gestures towards the press box at Upton Park after the match. The goalkeeper has been made to endure a lot of negative press by the British media following poor displays at
the World Cup and early in this Premier League season.
"In football you can perform and then you do not have to say anything.
I think Rob's performance was his best speech," said
West Ham manager Avram Grant.
Green is still a very good goalkeeper and any ban he may have been given would have had a negative impact on the team. It's important Green replicates the impressive performance
he put in against Spurs.
A big lift
The news will come as a big lift to West Ham because Green is the best goalkeeper in the football club. The club has three replacement 'keepers in the first team squad but none
get close to Green's quality.
West Ham is still scrapping for Premier League points. The club has now moved off of the bottom of the table. Grant needs Green to stay strong in goal because a solid spine in
the team will help West Ham to move up the table.
It's also very beneficial for the player that he has not been banned. Green is one of the more mentally fragile players in the Premier League. If he had been banned for wearing
his heart on his sleeve then it could have had a negative impact on the mental side of his game.
"Rob showed what he can do in the only place a sportsman needs to show, on the pitch. Not in the papers, not in the media, not with
excuses," said Grant.
Betting advice
West Ham still has a lot to do to improve. If Green is playing well then the side is conceding fewer goals and losing fewer matches. Bet in play for now until West Ham finds
some consistency.
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