Allardyce - Robinson is best

Rovers boss backs goalkeeper to regain England place

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 18th May 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Allardyce - Robinson is best

Robinson: Allardyce praise

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Sam Allardyce has backed his goalkeeper Paul Robinson to regain his place in the England squad.

The 29-year-old was brought to the club by former manager Paul Ince in the summer and has since gone on to recapture some of his best form.

The former Leeds player put in another splendid performance against Chelsea on Sunday despite Rovers losing 2-0.

Robinson won the last of his 41 England caps in the 2-1 defeat in Russia in October 2007 and the Blackburn boss believes his performances this term are deserving of a recall to Fabio Capello's squad.

"Paul was world class again (against Chelsea)," he said.

"He has really come into the forefront over the last 10 games and really worked very, very hard at his all-round goalkeeping.

"Fabio Capello was not at Chelsea but he should have been and he should have been there last week as Paul is back on top form."

Best in country

With current England No.1 David James not getting any younger and Joe Hart and Ben Foster struggling to hold down regular places with their respective clubs Robinson, along with West Ham's Rob Green, appear to possess the strongest shout for a starting berth.

"As an English goalkeeper, he is performing the best in this country at the moment," Allardyce added.

"Paul is right up there now and is producing the sort of saves on a regular basis which helped us to get clear of relegation."

With Rovers' top flight status secured, Allardyce admitted that the pressure of recent times was finally off against the Blues and the former Bolton and Newcastle chief revealed that he could actually enjoy the game.

"I was a little more relaxed because the tension and the pressure has been immense for us all," he admitted.

"It was nice to sit and watch a football match relatively calm and with not too much riding on it, apart from the fact that you want your team to play well and you want them to try and win.

"We now have West Brom at home next Sunday and I want us to end the season strongly with our sixth home win."