Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper deserves England call, says legend Garner (From Lancashire Telegraph)

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Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper deserves England call, says legend Garner

10:44am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter

'LIFELINE' Paul Robinson

SIMON Garner has urged the new England boss to offer Paul Robinson an international lifeline – after insisting the Blackburn Rovers stopper is the second best in the country.

Rovers’ all-time leading goalscorer believes Fabio Capello’s departure gives England the perfect opportunity to bring Robinson back from the international wilderness, claiming he would be ideal cover for number one Joe Hart.

Robinson, 32, quit from the England fold in August 2010 after being left frustrated by being considered by Capello as the country’s third or fourth choice stopper.

But, with the FA now searching for a new manager, Garner believes a combination of his Rovers form over the past couple of seasons and his international experience should see him taken to the summer’s European Championships as back-up to Hart.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands Robinson would consider ending his self-enforced England exile should he be approached by the FA.

Robinson will go head to head with England number one Hart at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, as Rovers look to end Manchester City’s 100 per cent Premier League home record, with Garner insisting he is a man to be relied on.

The former Rovers striker said: “If I was the FA, I would go and ask Paul Robinson to reconsider. I am sure he would jump at the chance if he was told he would be treated better than he was by Capello.

“There is no doubt Joe Hart is the best in the country and will be the number one for the tournament but who next? David Stockdale? Robert Green? Scott Carson? Paul Robinson is surely a better option.

“I guess some will look at his record and see that he has not kept a clean sheet this season but that has more to do with the style Rovers play than their goalkeeper.”

Robinson won 41 caps for his country, having made his debut against Australia in 2003, and he was first choice during qualifying for the 2006 World Cup and for the finals themselves.

But he lost his place after making some costly errors as England missed out on qualification for Euro 2008 under Steve McClaren.

His failure to connect with a Gary Neville back pass resulted in an own goal in the 2-0 defeat in Croatia, and he could only palm a long-range shot into Roman Pavlyuchenko's path to concede the winner in a 2-1 defeat against Russia.

He was not selected for two years following those mistakes and was only recalled by Capello when David James was injured for the World Cup 2010 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra.

“His experience could be invaluable,” said Garner. “Whoever is manager would surely want him in the squad? I expect it to be Harry Redknapp and he has been linked with him in the last couple of seasons as well.

“You hope Hart stays fit for the whole campaign but, if he didn’t, you would feel a lot better if you had Paul Robinson coming on than some of the other options.

“I understand why he retired from international football but this could be his chance to bow out in style and in the way he deserves.”

Comments(60)

MxMave says...
11:11am Wed 22 Feb 12

Worst keeper in the prem on stats. How can you select him with that kind of form?