The Spurs Blog

Paul Robinson says we should not get carried away with our encouraging cup runs and focus on getting back up that league table.

He said: “Our league form has been indifferent. We want to start picking up points and climb the table.

“We’re not a million miles away — we’re almost there — without stringing the few wins together to get up the table.

“You can’t rely on a cup run. There are three to be won but, if we don’t manage it, we’ve got to make sure we are back in Europe through the league.”

Jermaine Jenas has backed team-mate Paul Robinson to silence his critics when England take on Holland this week.

Jenas said: “Robbo’s a professional.

“He’s a strong character and I’m sure he’s blocked it out. It was a freak incident which happens.

“He picked himself up immediately. Not from now or from last week, he was over it straightaway and back training hard like he usually does.”

Spurs manager Martin Jol says more injuries to goalkeepers will occur if they are not better protected by officials.

When asked about the recent injuries to Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini Jol said: “How many times will that happen in a year? A couple of times.”

“We had two defenders (With head injuries this season), one had concussion and one had a broken nose, so it happens to all football players,”

“The keeper is a vulnerable position. He has to dive in for balls and go in where it hurts.

“I feel it can happen all the time.”

Tottenham manager Martin Jol thinks goalkeeper Paul Robinson will bounce back from his bad week with the England team.

“He is a professional and he will be sick as a parrot, but he knows that can happen,” said Jol.

“The feeling will be worse if you make a mistake, but it wasn’t a mistake.

“If you judge him harshly you could say it was a silly situation, but it was a freak moment and you can’t let it stay on your mind all the time.

“We have a game against Aston Villa; he knows he is arguably the best keeper in England. You could see that before the incident because he made some great saves.

“It can happen to anyone; all the best players will tell you it has happened to them.

“He is a tough lad, he trains hard and he knows you need a tough mind to be the number one in England.

“You need great character, otherwise you can’t play at this level.”

On the goal that own goal that Robinson conceded during the match against Croatia Jol added: “They were already 1-0 down at the time, so I don’t think it cost them the game,”

“There were other reasons and everyone knows that, the coach said it after the game, so all you can do is feel for him and he will do better.”