Tottenham’s Robinson - England’s Villan? …or Hero?
Last night was awful. We looked uncomfortable all over the pitch, and never really looked like breaking down Croatia, but to go two goals down due to mistakes by Robinson was unforgivable. Looks like Billic was right, Robinson was our weakest link, ….goodbye!
But hang on a minute, yes Robinson let in two awful goals, but who was at fault?
I know he’s refusing to take the blame on the own goal, but I put that one squarely down to him. The ball did bobble, but he should have been over it and putting his laces through it anyway, instead of leaning back and away from it, especially as it was heading towards one of his own “pitch markers”, a divot which shows him where the goal is behind him.
But the first goal, a looping header from one of the smallest Croatians on the pitch, was the combined result of several errors. You could say Crouch was initally at fault for failing to clear the corner, as it swung in, he got up to it and powered it out all of about 10 yards. Why this man wears an England shirt is beyond me, he’s a striker and he can’t head the ball, and when he’s infront of the opposition goal then its a disadvantage, but in front of your own goal its a liability. The 3-5-2 formation and then just bad marking took care of the rest allowing the ball to be headed perfectly and placed just beyond Robinson. Nothing he could do about that.
So was that the story of the match? No, Robinson kept England in the game. Without him, the scoreline would have been an even bigger embarassment. The hopeless formation allowed the Croatian’s to surge forward and pepper the England goal almost at will.
Robinson was a hero last night, although his halo slipped a bit for the second goal!
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31 opinions for Tottenham’s Robinson - England’s Villan? …or Hero?
Shannon
Oct 12, 2006 at 9:03 am
Robinson did very well last night. The kind of mistake he made for the second goal will happen. Rather for England, who were totally outplayed anyway, than for Spurs.
Dave
Oct 12, 2006 at 9:39 am
What was the worst thing about last night was our keeper was the best player on the pitch for England!
Playing 3 at the back was ridiculous, first goal coming about because the defenders didn’t know whose responsibility it was. As for the second goal, you are always taught when playing the ball back, never do it so it is being aimed straight at goal just in case something happens. It was just a fluke as the ball was rolling smoothly and all of a sudden bobbled.
Anyway you make your own luck and last night we didn’t deserve any from our pityful performance
Sack the Juggler
Oct 12, 2006 at 10:05 am
Dave, its a good point about the back pass, I was taught the same, at all levels, that you should put the ball to one side or the other of the goal. But having said that, keepers were always taught to put their foot right through the ball from above it, just in case it bobbled… looks like these rules are forgotten at international level!
Change needed
Oct 12, 2006 at 10:06 am
I thought it it wasn’t for Robinson it could have easily been 5. Sadly, not a lot could be done about that 2nd goal…
Can anyone explain why Lampard is still playing for England?
The team should not be picked on name but on current form…
Sack the Juggler
Oct 12, 2006 at 10:22 am
I think England’s main problem is the manager, trying to be clever and playing a weird formation when as a country we have the strength in depth to play a 4-4-2 and take on anyone.
Germany showed how to play these teams last night, do not be afraid of them just go out and attack them.
Richard
Oct 12, 2006 at 11:19 am
How can anyone even consider blaming Robbo for either goal last night!
The first from a corner allowed the 5ft 7inch Da Silva to out jump both our over 6ft tall centre backs. Robbo’s positioning could be questioned, but until that point in the match he was without doubt the only player on the pitch that deserved to be wearing the 3 lions on his chest.
The second goal was just one of those freaky incidents that pops up in match once in a blue moon. You cant blame Neville or Robbo for what happened. I read a few peoples opinions on this and take issue with the fact that Robbo should not have been leaning back and should have been fully behind the ball. This is easy for anyone to critise however (and excuse the pun here) but ‘when the ball is on the foot’ every goalkeeper in the land when dealing with a backpass, is to ensure you get under the ball so the kick clears any oncoming defenders! In Robbo’s case last night thats exactly what he did,plus leaning back help elevate the ball. You can legislate for a divot on the pitch. Afterall he is a professional worldclass goalkeeper not a horticulturist!! There should be no more said on the subject.
In summary the England performance last night was poor, but lets give some credit to the Croatians for their part in the game. I thought they out witted England played some fantastic passing football in what will most likely be the hardest and most hostile away fixture we have to endure in qualifying for the 2008 championships. The press love to build England up to knock em down. The question is ‘How good are we as an international team’ in my view not as good as we are made to look in the run up to every major championship! maybe the press should take some of the blame for once p.s I haven’t mentioned the list of key injuries we currently have!
Richard Levene (Chigwell)
Sack the Juggler
Oct 12, 2006 at 11:28 am
Richard, some good points but with regard for not being able to legislate for divots, you can if you make them! The pitch was perfect, the divots were made by the keeper to help mark out the goal posts behind him so he could position himself better.
I take your point about Croatia, but as a nation we have the strength in depth to beat anyone, but we just don’t perform. We only beat lowly Andorra by 5 goals when we should have followed Germany’s example and blown these minnows away like they did to san marino 13-0.
We need to play to our strengths, not our opponents strengths….
sussex spurs
Oct 12, 2006 at 12:17 pm
This is by no means bias because i am still a fan of his skill and footballing game, BUT Carrick, come on! Did anyone see the eight yard pass he attempted to Gary Neville i believe it was (Who was also shocking) That never had the pace to make it to him, Wtf is that all about. How can a defence splitting player like Carrick suddenly look sunday league! Not to mention Lampard. Yes we miss Lennon, J Cole and co but on last nights drivvle i’d bet sure as eggs is eggs they’d have been just as shit!!!!!!!
Colchester yid
Oct 12, 2006 at 12:17 pm
It is ridiculous to blame anyone for the 2nd goal. Should the ball have been played toward the goal? I don’t think so.Everyone from kindergarden up is told to play the ball either side of the goal when passing back to the keeper. Was it Nevells fault? I don’t think so. These things happen from time to time. To say that Robinson should be putting his foot/leg in line with/over the ball is again silly at best. Everyone knows that you lean back to lift the ball over oncoming forwards etc.. and to gain distance. From what I saw last night, the 3 centre backs did not take responsibility to attack the ball, nobody knowing who’s job was what. The 2 full backs, oh excuse me, attacking midfielders, where often caught up the pitch and unable to get back to defend. If we are going to play 5 in midfield, let it be richardson/Lennon/wright phillips and their ilk, playing out on the wings, possing threats to the opposition, not players like Neville, who are fine defenders, but very suspect at going forward, being played out of position. England were just out played by a team that played solid football with little flair. We were only kept in the game by some fine saves from Englands number 1
Dave o
Oct 12, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Come on, Robbo as far as I can see had an error free game and was the only player to do so, the halo has not slipped as it was not his error and the “divot” was made in the first half by the oposition keeper. I learnt in school that you don’t put a back pass towards the goal for that very reason.
Sack the Juggler
Oct 12, 2006 at 12:29 pm
Sussex - I think McClaren hit the nail on the head - its the managers fault!
ColchesterYid - fully agree about both the formation and the players used, but the second goal was an unforced error yes Robinson was at fault(sorry Dave o) - but other than that he was magnificent.
sussex spurs
Oct 12, 2006 at 12:35 pm
stj: Did Paul Gascgoine, Sir Les, David Ginola, not forgetting Ruel Fox (ok forget Ruel fox) leave a sour taste in you mouth. Come on bud all’s fair and all that, you got STEVE CARR!!!!!!
Sack the Juggler
Oct 12, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Sussex spur LOL - its funny but some of the above are true, but not the Steve Carr one - try again!
sussex spurs
Oct 12, 2006 at 12:44 pm
Whats wrong with Steve Carr he’s quality isn’t he? Surely you agree! ha ha ha!!!
Adam
Oct 12, 2006 at 1:20 pm
The lazy predictable play of England last night has been mirrored in the lazy predictable journalism we’ve seen in the papers today. Robinson to blame? Don’t make me laugh! The only thing Robbo was to blame for was keeping the score down! If papers really want to blame someone, try the useless uncreative mid field players, Rio’s awful display, Terry’s poor leadership, Rooney’s poor movement and ball and laboured dribbling or perhaps Mclaren’s lack of ability in moulding and motivating what on paper is an excellent group of players. He also insists on picking names instead of form players. I admire him taking the blame but lets be honest how could he argue it any other way. If he wants to progress and prove his critics wrong he should actually watch and visit the English players who are working hard and playing well. The England shirt should be earnt on merit. Three players Woodgate, Barry, Andy Johnson. Say no more
Dave o
Oct 12, 2006 at 1:50 pm
Sack The Juggler - How can you say Robbo was at fault for that? what on earth could he have done to prevent it from happening?
Sack the Juggler
Oct 12, 2006 at 2:34 pm
Adam - as I’ve said, I agree with McClaren, last nights defeat was down to him. Playing a formation no one is used to against a very good team on their own turf is crazy - we should have played to our strengths not theirs.
With regard to the Robinson incident, he was the last man, he knew the goal was behind him, and he knew the consequences of not getting it right, he knew what the pitch was like in front of the goal and in that immediate area, he just got it wrong…
the when
Oct 12, 2006 at 3:13 pm
what are you on about, that robbo shouldnt have been leaning back away from the ball? everyone knows that to get height on a ball you have to lean backwads, getting over the ball almost inevitably means the ball will stay low, and this wasnt what he wanted. if robbo was trying to kick it long and high there was nothing wrong with his technique, but i do agree that he should have been aware of the divet since he probably put it there.
Adam
Oct 12, 2006 at 3:25 pm
If Robbo had dived to save a shot and it hit a player at the last minute and goes in the opposite corner, you wouldn’t blame him. He knew there ws players there and he knew the ball was travelling fast but you wouldn’t blame him. Lucky deflection you’d say. Same thing applies. He played the percentages and got very very unlucky. Not his fault at all.
Sack the Juggler
Oct 12, 2006 at 4:03 pm
Adam, if he’d been in the casino, drinking wine and womanising and the ball had bounced in off the back of a passing bus I’d still have blamed him…. ok maybe i’ve stretched your point a bit, but you know what i mean, or perhaps not….
Daily Mail? Don't make me laugh
Oct 12, 2006 at 4:20 pm
Adam - Thank you, someone else who thinks the Mail today was an absolute JOKE. Paul Hayward, what the hell? Making Robbo out as the scapecoat, he was so wrapped up in his own opinions that he failed to see that it was Robinson keeping the score in single figures. Plus he gave Robbo a 4 out of 10 in his pathetic “player ratings”. 4 out of 10 for luck, maybe. And as for the monkey noises and booing the national anthem coming from the scummy croats (not even giving them the dignity of calling them by a capital letter) - was nothing short of disgraceful. RACIST FUCKERS.
HoxtonBoy
Oct 12, 2006 at 5:52 pm
Well Robbo is a bit dodgy on crosses. Why Spurs don’t get a decent goalkeeping coach to sort him out is beyond me. If he can’t catch (maybe he has small hands) then he needs to learn to punch. Gordon Banks used to punch it half the time. He is great shot stopper though which is handy at Spurs at the moment. The team performance was dreadful, they seem to have no self-believe or stomache for it and the coach has to the blame for that. It doesn’t matter what shape you play , you can still scrap for the ball and run your heart out.
jonathan okanlawon
Oct 13, 2006 at 12:36 am
Paul Robinson tried, the scoreline would have been wider, i don’t think we should blame him for one silly mistake.
Richard (Chigwell)
Oct 13, 2006 at 6:03 am
Lets all take a reality check!!!!
There is only one party to blame! and thats the media…..Before each major championship England play in, the press build us up to knock us down.
We are made out to some kind of World beaters, but the fact of the matter is, we’re not! We haven’t won a mjaor trophy for more than 40 years, so what gives us the right to be so highly
acclaimed.
We may have great players (individuals) but as a team we are not great. You can say the same about the likes of Spain and Holland who both also seem to under achieve as a team but have great players!
It doesn’t matter who they put in charge, if we win a match we are world beaters, loose one and the sharks come out to feed.
My point proved, when you consider that before the match on Wednesday there probably wasn’t a sole in the country that was thinking England may loose this match? a draw at worst, but in reality Croatia are not a bad side.
As far as England are concerned, we’re just not as good as we are led to believe and the press are to blame (not Robbo).
Sack the Juggler
Oct 13, 2006 at 9:10 am
Jonathan - fully agree mate, I think that Robinson kept the score respectable, and i guess that was the point I was trying to make - it was still a howler to let in though….
Sack the Juggler
Oct 13, 2006 at 9:18 am
Richard - I don’t buy this argument that England are not good enough. Were Italy the best team in the competition, are Greece world beaters? No, but they have both managed to win major tournaments when England have failed …again.
My feeling is that its down to the manager to get the team playing to its strengths, and Sven or McClaren just don’t know how to do that. We can blame the players individually (and I frequently do, especially Crouch) but its the manager who picks them and decides where they play.
I was sick when McClaren was all smarmy over Crouch when we beat Andorra 5-0. This is a pub team we’re talking about and we only beat them 5-0, Germany took San marino apart 13-0, they didn’t mess about, and thats what we should be doing, but there doesn’t seem to be any craft or guile in their planning, just try to lob it in and hope it bounces of the corner of Crouch’s head….
Richard
Oct 13, 2006 at 1:18 pm
For the attention of Sack the Juggler!
You tell me an England manager (certainly in my 38 year living memory) that hasn’t fallen victim to the press ?
Let me re-iterate my comments again…..The press are responsible for mounting pressure on every aspect of our game! Especially where our National team is concerned.
And I dont buy that about the San Marino’s, Andorra’s, Greece of this world. Football is a different game to what it was 30 years ago, when you DID have such teams as wipping boys. These day with many foreigners from the smallers nations gaining experience in places such as the England, France, Germany and other nations known for the domestic footballing ability, there is no such thing as an easy international!
My initial point being that it doesn’t matter who is in charge, Sven, McClaren, Hoddle, Taylor, Keegan, Robson? (even Harry Houdini), they all get the same treatment from the press. The real question to ask here is , how good a team are we without the opinions and pressures of the press?
Sack the Juggler
Oct 13, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Richard - the problem is that without the media (without TV anyway), the players wouldn’t be the superstars they are today, so its hard to say how well they would be without the press coverage, and I agree that managers get hounded out, but all managers or all countries are unnder at least the same and some even more pressure.
Oops I think I’ve answered most of this on the Rooney article! Serves me right for reading them all after a pub lunch!
But you have raised a good point, if not McClaren, then who for England Manager? And it’s a difficult question to answer. I know that everytime England play there are about 10 million would be managers questioning his team and his tactics, but who could honestly do better?
Looking around it seems that certain ex-players have done well as National coach (Klinsman, Billic, ok, getting stuck now). They have the respect of the players and they understand the intricaces of the game at that level and what it takes to win, so maybe Shearer should become the England coach ….do you think he’d be allowed to use his elbows in the technical area?
Richard (Chigwell)
Oct 14, 2006 at 9:13 am
To: Sack the Juggler
Fact is it is ONLY in our beloved country that the ‘common’ press treat everyone like shite.. Of course there are some respectable associates, that do (and I do agree with you on this) ‘market’ our game as well as report on it and in turn that gives our game and the players that play in it a higher profile. But come on be honest, why is it that the red tops are our most favoured newspapers when all thats inside them is tits and defaming headlines?
Sack the Juggler
Oct 14, 2006 at 9:53 am
Must admit I hate certain papers with a passion and won’t have them in the house or even go on their website. But the hypocracy of these papers extends beyond football, its goes right into every day life, trying to dig up sleaze about B list celebrities whilst flashing bare breasts and arse for their readers tittilation. Rant over, can’t disagree with you about certain of the tabloids.
SammyNelsonsPants
Oct 16, 2006 at 8:39 am
There IS such a thing as an easy international. Ask Germany about San Marino. There should be a pre-qualifying group for these kinds of minnows ( and maybe we should be in it)
GK’s have a tough job. Rarely acclaimed, often blamed. The fault was Nevilles, and bad luck. But that doesnt stop Robinson looking very, very stupid on the night.
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