Robinson is England's number one

Almost every English football fan wants to sit down with Fabio Capello and discuss his views on the national team. I would want him to answer one question ‘How on earth can Paul Robinson not be in your squad?’ It is madness; I am not saying that Joe Hart is not good enough but Robinson is currently the best and most consistent performer in the Premier League.

Since signing for Blackburn Rovers in 2008 Robinson has been masterful and kept an impressive 13 clean sheets in the league last season. Having had an exciting start to his career at Leeds he moved onto Tottenham Hotspur where he played for 4 years with varying degrees of success. An error whilst playing for England against Croatia in 2008 epitomised his mixed fortunes over this period. It was Paul Ince who brought him to Rovers at a time when everyone felt he was finished at the top level.

He endured a tricky start to his Blackburn career but when Sam Allardyce came in as manager he seemed to instil the confidence he had been so short of. He has always been a wonderful shot stopper and has become far stronger at coming for crosses in the last 18 months. In 2010 he announced his retirement from International football having been overlooked by Capello for the England squad.

At a time when Joe Hart is having concentration issues and seems more interested in drinking with Gareth Barry it is unbelievable that Capello has not asked for a change of heart from Robinson. He is in my opinion the best English keeper around, Hart certainly has the ability and his time will come but for now Robbo is England’s number 1!

United starting to tick

Manchester United’s easy victory over Birmingham suggests that the title favourites will kick on and take their 4^th title in 5 years. Dimitar Berbatov took his tally for the season to 19, Giggs rolled back the years to give a master class and Rooney did everything but score the goal he deserved. They have been far from their best at times this season but their form over the last few weeks is ominous for their rivals. United now find themselves 2 points clear of Arsenal with a game in hand.

Much of the credit for United’s success this season must go to Alex Ferguson. His current team do not possess some of the class of previous teams and he has gone back to basic management theory; do not concede goals and try to hit the opposition on the counter attack. His central defensive partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic is the best in the league and they have been immense all season; they have conceded only 19 goals in the league all season.

Whilst making United hard to beat Ferguson has also been aided by the continually improving Berbatov. The often languid Bulgarian has certainly answered his critics this season and once Rooney starts to score again they will possess a lethal front line. One criticism would be the lack of a creative central midfielder but this will surely be addressed this summer.

We are yet to see United really dominate this season as they usually do but the manner of the performance today gives added substance to their title credentials. They do still have 2 games with Chelsea, a visit to the Emirates to face Arsenal and the visit of Manchester City to come but it appears to be United’s title to lose at the moment.