Samba: Blackburn Rovers in good hands with Brown (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Samba: Blackburn Rovers in good hands with Brown

10:11am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

By Andy Cryer » Blackburn Rovers reporter

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CHRIS Samba has backed Jason Brown to fill the goalkeeping void left at Ewood Park after Paul Robinson’s World Cup hopes were dealt a heavy blow yesterday.

A scan on Robinson’s calf has confirmed Blackburn Rovers’ worst fears, with a serious tear expected to keep the England hopeful out of action for at least four to six weeks.

Robinson suffered the injury during the first half of the 3-1 defeat at White Hart Lane on Saturday lunchtime to frustrate his efforts of making a late push to make Fabio Capello’s England World Cup squad.

He is also expected to miss a substantial part of Rovers’ Premier League run-in, with an estimated return not until mid to late April, leaving Saturday’s replacement Jason Brown a rare chance to impress.

Since signing from Gillingham in June 2006, Brown has made just three Premier League starts due to the consistency of first Brad Friedel and then Robinson.

He did make three starts in Rovers’ run to the Carling Cup semi final this campaign though, and produced big performances in rare previous league outings, with Samba insisting they have every faith in him.

Mark Bunn will be recalled from his loan spell at Championship outfit Sheffield United, leaving Frank Fielding to continue his education at Rochdale, but Brown will be the man charged with helping Rovers to safety.

Samba said: “We have keepers and whoever plays we trust to cover Paul Robinson and to do his best. If Jason delivers on the pitch what he delivers in training every day then there won’t be any problem.

“He plays well for us when he plays and we will have no worries at all, we know we will be fine.”

Samba meanwhile insists it would be churlish to write off Robinson’s World Cup chances just yet, claiming the former England number one “definitely” deserves his place in the squad.

Robinson has been left on the fringes of the international scene by manager Fabio Capello, with the inclusion of the likes of David James, Ben Foster, Rob Green and Joe Hart, but Rovers’ giant defender believes, if fit, ‘Robbo’ should be making the trip.

He said: “I hope Paul is not out for too long. The World Cup is coming and he has to defend his chances. I hope he recovers quick and can defend his chances.

“We all want to see him back for us and for England. Of course he still has a chance. I think he definitely deserves his place for the World Cup for England. Hopefully he can come back fit and show that.”

Comments(12)

hasslem hasslem says...
10:51am Tue 16 Mar 10

Speaking as an ex-Amateur keeper who discovered a whole new spectrum of ways to concede goals (3 seconds from the kick-off is my record, i believe)....I think that Brown looks like a worrier (as opposed to a warrior).
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As said on a previous post he flapped against United when he should have done better and on Saturday his decision making was less than 100%.
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It is, obviously, not easy coming on from warming the bench for effectively three seasons - but he needs to scare the sh1t out of oncoming centre forwards and clogger centre halves up for corners.
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I hope I am wrong because it would be a shame if he didn't make it and obviously if he doesn't it means underperformance for Blackburn Rovers. It is vital that he works as 3 in conjunction with his centre-backs and they have to have confidence in him on the pitch as well as in the LT. Would be a help if he "accidentally" clobbered Drogba in a 1 on 1 early in the game at the weekend. Might not stop Drogba scoring subsequently, but will mark out his territory. Rest assured John Terry will be giving him special attention on corners.
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Mind you, I think Samba should stand on the toes of Chelsea's 19th choice keeper at every opportunity. Might take my clogs and mits down....could get a game.