Source: Telegraph
World Cup 2010: Fabio Capello wrong to leave out Paul Robinson, says Sam Allardyce
Robinson, who earned the last of his 41 caps during the defeat against Russia in Moscow in Oct 2007, has rebuilt his reputation at Ewood Park since leaving Spurs in 2008 with his career at a low ebb following a number of costly errors for club and country. [LNB]Despite his impressive form for Allardyce's Blackburn this season, Robinson has struggled to earn a recall to the England set-up under Capello and his World Cup fate was sealed on Monday when Joe Hart, David James and Robert Green were named as the three goalkeepers in Capello's provisional squad. [LNB] Related ArticlesCapello's risky strategy puts credibility on lineCapello taken to task by FA over websiteFabio Capello names 30-man England squadWorld Cup squad: fans' say on who will miss outCapello refuses to offer guarantee to CarragherPick the England squadAll three have all been regular selections by Capello in recent months, but Blackburn manager Allardyce insists that Robinson's absence from the squad is cannot have been based on performances this season. [LNB]Allardyce said: "I am staggered, totally. It is completely the wrong decision. If you look at Paul's form for Rovers, there has not been a better goalkeeper who has been so consistent. [LNB]"It clearly can't be anything else other than Fabio has something else against him, because he has always said the people in form would get selected. [LNB]"There is nobody better than Paul Robinson at the moment, so there must be something before that that has happened to put him [Capello] off him as a person and not as a goalkeeper. He has made the biggest mistake of his selection process, has Fabio. As much as I respect him for what he has done that is one big, big mistake."[LNB]Robinson was an ever-present for England during their 2006 World Cup campaign in Germany, but his international career began to suffer following a costly gaffe during the 2-0 defeat against Croatia during the unsuccessful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. [LNB]While previously admitting to doubts over Robinson's capabilities after he succeeded Paul Ince as Blackburn manager in Dec 2008, Allardyce has since been hugely impressed by the former Leeds goalkeeper's performances and his vastly-improved fitness levels. And he claims that Robinson's form and international experience should have earned him selection for the World Cup ahead of Hart, the Manchester City goalkeeper who spent last season on loan at Birmingham City. [LNB]Allardyce said: "Thirteen clean sheets speak for themselves. There have to be other reasons why he [Capello] hasn't selected him because there is nobody in better form. [LNB]"Perhaps Harty can run him close, but he hasn't got 40-odd England caps of experience and hasn't played in any major championships before. [LNB]"So it would be much more valuable having Paul Robinson there than it would be to have Joe Hart, never mind the David James scenario, who is spasmodically in and out because it seems he has a bit of an injury problem." [LNB]-- Is Paul Robinson in your England team? Pick your squad for World Cup 2010 - and share it with your friends. [LNB]
