Derby County goalkeeper Kelle Roos has told Dutch editorial Gerlander the criticism following his Wembley playoff final mistake last May was difficult to take.
The Rams reached the Championship playoff final last season after finishing sixth.
An enthralling two-legged semi-final victory over Leeds United set up a final date with Aston Villa. However, the Rams fell short, losing 2-1 to Dean Smith’s side. Defeat saw Derby miss out on a Premier League spot, and a reported £200 million windfall.
(Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images).
The final was an even affair. But, a critical mistake from Kelle Roos put Villa 2-0 up and Derby couldn’t recover. The Dutchman opens up on the ensuing criticism.
I was not good in the final. We were ninety minutes away from the Premier League. Every mistake is a big one. I made a mistake (for John McGinn’s goal at 2-0). Then the criticism broke loose. In the newspapers and on TV. On social media. That was hard, but it is also sport. This was a big competition. I told myself to deal with it, and these are the hard lessons in life.
Kelle Roos struggles to overcome Wembley error:
Roos broke into the Derby first team midway through their Championship campaign.
The Dutchman was excellent during the Rams’ run-in. He put in a MOTM display in the 2-0 win at Bristol City – a game which was vital in Derby’s push for the playoffs.
But at Wembley, he showed his frailties when dealing with crosses. The 6ft 5inch shot-stopper was beaten in the air by McGinn who stands at just 5ft 9inch.
Roos has struggled to recover. This season, he started as Derby’s number one but has since been replaced by Ben Hamer after several disappointing errors.
(Photo by Molly Darlington – AMA/Getty Images).
The 26-year-old is an excellent shot stopper. However, without a big improvement in aerial command, he may struggle to force his way back in at Pride Park.
Also see: Has £2.75m Lampard signing been given one last chance to save Derby career?
Also see: Derby could miss out as top-flight duo reportedly eye £1.5m defender deal