Paul Robinson

Paul Robinson - England's Goalkeeper
squad no. 1

club: Tottenham Hotspur
position: Goalkeeper
age: 26
caps: 27
goals: 0

Paul Robinson is going to be absolutely vital to our World Cup bid. For starters he has to stay fit, the back up does not bear thinking about.

He also needs to prove himself a world class custodian. It's a long time since we've had one. Seaman was well liked but all he ever did in World Cups was cock it up.

With FIFA introducing a new ball that will obviously bend all over the place and make a complete farce of the whole tournament it could be the best keeper that decides the outcome.

Football England Verdict
Rating: 5.20

Robinson had an uncomfortable World Cup but was in no way responsible for our exit.
Gave his best performance against Portugal but was given an impossible task in the penalty shootout by his teammates inability to score from the spot.

Portugal 0-0.
Football England rating: 7
Robinson saved his best till last, looking a lot more assured although he was hardly over exerted even when we were down to ten men.

Ecuador 1-0.
Football England rating: 5
Another shaky display in which Robinson didn't have a lot to do but struggled to keep his goal intact anyway.
Probably made the right decision in staying back when Tenorio went through but was grateful to Ashley Cole for getting something on the shot.
He added to our 1st half jitters by coming for a long throw and simply punching Ferdinand in the back of the head.
Has to improve as he will be seriously tested from now on.

Sweden 2-2.
Football England rating: 4
Made one excellent save but is not a dominant figure at the moment and must take his share of the blame for the shambles we became at set pieces in the second half.

Trinidad 2-0.
Football England rating: 4
Didn't have a lot to do with is perhaps as well as he looked uncomfortable whenever the ball came near the box.
Messed up on crosses on more than one occasion and the consequences could have been disastrous. A worry we do not need at this stage.

Paraguay 1-0.
Football England rating 6
Generally looked safe and sound but did fumble one centre into his goalmouth and was relieved to see the rebound hooked over the bar. This error could easily have been punished.
Added a bit of comedy value by booting a clearance against the giant screen suspended above the halfway line. Just think if it had come crashing down.

Weds June 7; Robinson reveals he splashed out £420 of his own cash to get his hands (hopefully) on the new "bar of soap" World Cup ball a couple of months ago. Let's hope this dedication to the cause puts him at an advantage over the other keepers in Germany.

Check back here for Football England's Assessment of Robinson's Performances and News.