Surprise

[chiff]

As you may have realised by now, I'm no fan of either Sven or England and have moaned continuously about lack of planning etc. However, there was one area where I thought that we had it right and that was goalie. I've always rated Robinson and was disappointed when he went to Spurs for naff all and we were playing Caroll/Howard.

Last night, I was really surprised to see what a poor keeper he was. Perhaps poor is too strong but definitely no better than average. Yes he's a really sharp shot-stopper and makes some fantastic saves but his control of the 6 yd box is totally non-existent. He's glued to the line. The second goal exemplified this.

It was a total cock-up from start to finish but the important thing was he didn't attack the ball at any stage and when you're "flicked from 4 yards, you've no chance. Can you imagine what Schmike would have done. Ball, Larssen and anything else in the way. Not stand glued to the line.

But the most important thing is his lack of control at crosses/corners. Now I don't think many on this site would admit to LIKING Terry, but we have to admit he's not bad and he and Rio make a decent pair. But playing infront of Robinson makes them look like a pair of unsure school kids. And once this starts to happen, we're in trouble. It's no coincidence that the "master" keeps repeating "we don't defend set-pieces well". It's because Rio and Terry have to be anywhere there's a six footer instead of the goalkeeper commanding the space around his box. Then they can afford to be farther away from the goal so that midgets like Cole become less important.

Like I said it was surprising. It might be lack of confidence but RObinson has not had a good WC so far...........and it's getting worse

[7even]

I have to totally agree. I thought he was a really good keeper, and defiantly deserved the number 1 spot. But having watched him in England’s games so far, he’s been terrible. And what makes it ever more so frustrating, is that the keeper almost always stays out of the lime light, and rarely gets the blame. Last night he was terrible, especially for the second goal.

Just let’s hope it is a confidence thing and he starts to show us what a good keeper he actually is.

[roonaldo]

I think he has proved in the past that he is a world class keeper, and one bad game doesn't make him suddenly a bad keeper. I mean, Schmeichel had bad games in his career and he is still considered one of the best keepers ever.

Yeah he may have had a shocker yesterday, but I still back him to come good. The first goal wasn't really his fault as it was just poor marking. the second may have been his fault but you also have to blame the rest of the team, I mean they were coming so deep it was virtually impossible for him to move off his line.

I definitely think he will come good, and if England do progress I think he will have a big part to play in it.

[Busby Boy]

I don't think you can judge him on that. Yes, he was poor but when the defence in front of you is shambolic to say the least the goalkeeper will notice it and will feel more and more exploited...Agree though in parts.

[chiff]

I wasn't so much thinking about the second goal - that was just a total disaster and had it been India or South Africa I would have said it was a betting coup - I just felt that the defence were unsure of the goalie and it affected them rather than the other way round. Anyway, first reserve is not even worthy of consideration so unless he breaks both arms, he stays. On reflection, unless he breaks both arms, both legs and his eyesight.................