Just last month England international custodian Paul Robinson was one foot out of Tottenham Hotspur as his manager Juande Ramos had told him that he was a surplus for the team. Yet now Robbo says that he is delighted to remain at White Hart Lane and expresses confidence that he can see out the four years left on his contract with the current north London club.
Of course much of that optimism steps from his brilliant performance against Chelsea in the Carling Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, a match in which Robinson featured in, managed a collection of good saves and which Spurs went on to win 2-1. Robbo also says that he respects Spurs manager Juande Ramos and that he loves playing under him:
I’ve got four years left on my contract, I’m absolutely delighted to be here. I’ve never ever said anything other than that.
The manager doesn’t see the goalkeeper as a different position, he sees you as part of his team.
If a striker is not scoring goals he’ll take him out, if the goalkeeper is not doing his job he’ll take him out. That’s the way it’s been.
It was difficult for me to accept at first but that is the way it is and I’m delighted to get a winners’ medal.
I don’t think after one bad game you get taken out – after a poor run of form the manager is entitled to do what he wants to do.
I’m not going to lie and say it’s been an easy season for me. People know it’s been a rough time for me but to go through the bad times makes me appreciate this even more.
I knew I had the ability there, I was just pleased rather than surprised how things went.
So far so good for Robinson. But he better take care that he doesn’t commit himself to any more howlers or he could be shoved out in the cold once again.