Albion old-boy Paul Robinson in vow
Friday 24th December 2010, 6:59PM GMT.
Albion old-boy Paul Robinson today insisted he will not ease up on his former team-mates on Boxing Day.
This comes despite Robinson walking a yellow-card tightrope.
The Bolton left-back will come face-to-face with his ex-employers when the Baggies travel to the Reebok Stadium on Sunday for a festive battle against his old pals.
And Albion fans will not be surprised to see the tough-tackling defender on four yellow cards, just one away from a suspension and with two matches to survive before a New Year amnesty wipes his record clean.
But he is adamant he will not be thinking about a possible ban during Sunday’s game.
“I was on four bookings before the Blackburn game last week and I didn’t pull out of any tackles there,” he said.
“I go into every game fully committed until the 90 minutes is up, and if I get a fifth yellow then that’s just something I’ll deal with at the time.
“I’m prepared to put my body on the line and maybe some referees think I go over the top. I don’t think I do. I just like winning. I want to compete.
“I didn’t want to miss the West Brom game but then I don’t want to miss any game.”
Robinson, 32, is playing his best football since leaving The Hawthorns 18 months ago and has helped the Trotters climb to seventh in the Premier League table.
And the ex-Watford man believes there are similarities between the mood at the Reebok and the spirit he enjoyed in his happiest days at The Hawthorns.
“There’s a great spirit,” he said. “The results help confidence but we know that if we don’t perform, it can change things in a second. We have to work hard to stay where we want to be. It’s hectic at Christmas and there’s no rest. There is no set target for points but we go into every game wanting to win.
“West Brom was a great atmosphere but this is right up there with that. We’ve got players who are not in the team or injured, but they’re still keeping the atmosphere going.”
By Steve Madeley
UK Sport
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