Ince promotes Robinson’s England chances

November 14, 2008

Blackburn Rovers manager Paul Ince believes that Paul Robinson should be reinstated as England’s number one after a number of ‘outstanding’ performances for the Premier League club.

England take on Germany in a friendly next week and Ince is of the view that this is the perfect opportunity for Robinson to return to the international fold for the first time since October last year.

Since his £3.5m move from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer – after he was heavily criticised for his ‘limitations’ at the top level – the former Leeds United man has nailed down his spot in Blackburn’s team and Ince couldn’t be happier with his first-choice keeper.

The rookie boss described Robinson as a ‘commanding figure’ who has been firing on all cylinders since his move to Ewood Park. After a number of eye-catching saves in the recent Carling Cup win at Sunderland, it is Ince’s opinion that Robinson has ‘recaptured the form that won him a place in the England side’.

Ince went onto say that the newly focused and determined Robinson ‘should start the game in Germany’ for England next week. This isn’t too likely in my opinion though. Is Fabio Capello really the type of manager to bring someone in who hasn’t played for their country in over a year and shove them in goal for a game against Germany? I don’t think the football odds would back such a tactic.

Robinson does have every chance of making the squad though and this should make him happy enough. It would be satisfactory reward for his recent good form and would confirm the fact that he is in Capello’s thinking for the next few World Cup qualification games.

Speaking of the 2010 World Cup, there really are grounds for an interesting debate about who will be England’s number one keeper in South Africa, presuming the team qualify. David James is the current number one, but he will be pushing 40 by this time and his recent form has been rather inconsistent.

Other than the Portsmouth man, there is the likes of Joe Hart, Scott Carson, Chris Kirkland and Robert Green – but none of these keepers have been as consistent as Robinson this season. So perhaps the 29-year-old can force his way into England’s starting eleven sooner than many people think.

By Thomas Rooney – A sports writer who blogs about football betting

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