Robinson: We'd take a shootout

Robinson: We'd take a shootout

Published Jan. 20, 2010 1:40 a.m. ET

Robinson grabbed the headlines in early December when he saved two penalties in a quarter-final shootout with Chelsea to earn Rovers a place in the last four. Blackburn, though, face an uphill task to reach the final as they trail 1-0 going into the second leg of the semi-final at Villa Park. Sam Allardyce has stated he would gladly settle for the spot-kick showdown again, which naturally places any pressure on Robinson's shoulders. "He's obviously putting his confidence in me then, but I think we would take penalties," smiled Robinson when asked about Allardyce's comment. "Obviously going into the game a goal down means we will have done very well if we do take the game into extra time and penalties, and when you get to those it's a lottery. "We did well in the previous round on penalties, so there's no reason why we couldn't progress again." Although admitting such a scenario can go either way, Robinson insists he will have done as much homework as possible. "We've a lot of sports analysis and video technicians who work at the club, and they'll give me as much information as they can," added Robinson. "Obviously I know certain players from playing against them for many years now. "But for new players, we'll have videos and analysis on them from their previous clubs." Asked as to whether he fancied his chances against Villa, he replied: "I'd like to say I'll be well informed." Robinson is one of three players in the Rovers squad who has played in a final at Wembley, claiming a League Cup winner's medal with Spurs just two years ago. Although some players are indifferent with regard to the Carling Cup and its significance, Robinson insists that is foolish. "I don't think you can play down playing at Wembley and lifting a major trophy," assessed Robinson. "Nobody can ever take it away from you. That will always be with you for the rest of your life. That's what we're in the game for. "Without a doubt it's the highlight of my career. You watch the FA Cup and League Cup finals when you're a kid, and you always dream of climbing those steps at Wembley. "To do it as a winner is fantastic." Robinson readily concedes it was arguably easier for him to win a trophy with Spurs than it is currently with Blackburn. That, though, will only add to the magnitude of Rovers' achievement should they pull off the improbable. "Maybe Tottenham are expected to win trophies more than Blackburn," said Robinson. "But for us to get to Wembley and lift the trophy would be a phenomenal achievement for us. "We've shown we've nothing to be afraid of, and we go there with no real pressure on us because nobody is expecting us to achieve, with the obvious exception of within our own camp. "We know we're huge underdogs, in particular being a goal down, but if we get a goal the game changes very quickly. "But hopefully we'll go there, give it our all and get through." El-Hadji Diouf and Morten Gamst Pedersen are back in contention for the tie, although Lars Jacobsen (thigh), Vince Grella (thigh) and Jason Roberts (knee) all remain sidelined.

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