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ISRAEL v ENGLAND - SPURS' ROBINSON VOWS TO SEE OFF RIVALS
Paul Robinson knows it is important for other goalkeepers to get a taste of international football - but has every intention of hanging onto his England jersey for several years to come.
There is certainly plenty of depth within the goalkeeping ranks of Steve McClaren's squad.
Scott Carson, 21, currently on loan at Charlton from Liverpool, and Manchester United youngster Ben Foster - getting plenty of practice with relegation-battlers Watford - also travelled to Israel for the first of two crucial European Championship qualifiers.
With West Ham's Robert Green and Chris Kirkland of Wigan, not to mention Portsmouth veteran David James, still harbouring international ambitions, there are no shortage of options.
Although Robinson was left out of the side in favour of the inexperienced Foster for the friendly against Spain at Old Trafford during February, the 27-year-old insists he has nothing to prove when he pulls on the jersey against Israel on Saturday.
"I knew I was sitting out of the Spain game, but the media made a lot of it," said the Tottenham keeper.
"You can see the manager's point of view - if I am injured or have to miss a game, then Ben has not even played a European game for his club let alone an international.
"He needed to know Ben could cope in that situation, and I fully understood that."
Robinson believes it is good to see so many young English keepers in the top flight.
"Everybody needs competition. It is healthy for the squad," he said.
"Scott and Ben are at clubs which have been struggling a bt this season.
"I may get one save a game, whereas they get six, seven or eight.
"They are getting rave reviews for the saves they are pulling off left, right and centre, whereas I am only getting maybe one shot a game to deal with.
"If I do not get [save] that one, then I have had a bad game. So it is difficult.
"It is a job you want as England keeper, but it is a difficult job when you get it.
"Everybody when they are young and coming up, they think they should have the job - and when you get it, everybody tries to shoot you down. It is just part and parcel of the job."
Robinson feels stronger for the criticism he faced following England's 2-0 defeat in Croatia.
The 27-year-old found himself on the end of some less-than-positive headlines following October's game in Zagreb when a backpass from Gary Neville hit a bobble on the pitch and bounced past the England keeper as he tried to make a clearance.
The Spurs man scored a bizarre goal himself against Watford last weekend when his long free-kick bounced all the way through the defence and past an embarrassed Foster.
"I feel as though I am getting back to the top of my game and confidence helps," Robinson said.
"After the Croatia game, it was difficult and I took a lot of criticism when, still to this day, I do not think there was anything I could have done.
"For people to say it was an error, and that it was my fault, is ridiculous.
"That was the main thing which angered me.
"It takes a very strong person and a strong character to come through it.
"At times it is not easy, but I am definitely a stronger person."
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