Robbo reflects on penalty heroics

Rovers keeper Paul Robinson has taken time out from thwarting Germans to give his view point on the situations he found himself in on Wednesday night - going from zero to hero in a matter of minutes.

Something he wouldn't have been able to in his Tottenham days. He does reveal now that the mental side of his game has improved no end since his move North, a place where it is suppose to be grim but really southerners just say that to make themselves feel better.

Robinson, speaking to Sky Sports said - "I`m definitely a more rounded person now. I`m able to deal with situations a lot better.

"I`m a lot more mature and I can bounce back. My form this season has been steady, quite good at times. That was probably the first mistake I`ve made all year.

"To be able to bounce back in such a short space of time is unusual for a goalkeeper - but very pleasing. It was such a crazy five minutes or so. The highs and lows of football. Swings and roundabouts.

"You couldn`t experience two more contrasting emotions in such a short space of time. Only football can give you that. I was just trying to get myself out of the disappointing place I found myself in and focus on the job in hand.

"I couldn`t have done it earlier in my career. The lessons in life are there to be learned from. And if you don`t learn from them, there`s no point in having them. I`m definitely in a better place than I was a few years ago."

Robinson admitted he was startled to be in a situation where he was able to correct a mistake so quickly.

Robbo continued - "I`m very disappointed with their third goal. I should have done a lot better but fortunately for me I was able to clear my head.

"It was difficult but it`s strange for a keeper to be in a situation where he can make amends."

Whilst I do think it is stretching it to say it was Paul's first mistake of the season - the Pompey goal and Essiens long ranger spring to mind, Paul has certainly been an asset this season and has turned in some much improved performances.

He is slowly getting there and the boost he will have got from Wednesday could be the next step on his way back to England recognition, which is surely only a matter of time given his current form.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.