Robinson bounces back in style

In football, a lack of confidence can be the very worst thing for a player to suffer from and this is double true for the men between the sticks.

Goalkeepers can go from looking like Sunday league players to world-class individuals within the space of just a few weeks if they can improve their confidence levels and truly believe in themselves.

However, the reverse can happen just as easily and Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce must have been anxious that this fate was set to befall his goalkeeper, the often criticised Paul Robinson, after last week’s mauling at the hands of Manchester United. The football betting tips suggested United would win, but not by such a huge margin.

Robinson conceded seven at Old Trafford last week as United ran riot in style against a poor Blackburn side that offered little in the way of competition for the favourites to win the league. All goalkeepers hate to concede just one goal, so you can imagine the sort of emotions Robinson would have experienced after letting in seven.

However, Robinson bounced back from this by pulling off one of the Premier League goalkeeping performances of the season in Blackburn’s 3-0 win over Wolves.

The former England goalkeeper pulled off a string of world-class saves to deny a Wolves side that should nevertheless be admired for their attacking intent. Wolves could have scored at least the same number of goals as Blackburn but Robinson stood firm and put on the kind of display that must have proved a hammer blow for the visitors, who did all they could to break the barrier created by the in-form keeper. The Wolves betting suggests the loss has hurt them greatly.

Fabio Capello must be wondering if it will be possible to coax the player out of international retirement.