Paul Robinson Commends Antonin Kinsky for Resilience After Atletico Madrid Setback
Paul Robinson has shared a heartfelt evaluation of Antonin Kinsky’s impressive recovery from a difficult Champions League debut against Atletico Madrid (where he received a 1/10 rating). Drawing from his own challenging experience after England’s loss to Croatia at Euro 2008, Robinson highlights the significance of the Czech goalkeeper’s mental fortitude.
Robinson was in attendance at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on the night Kinsky’s debut went awry. His insights carry the weight of someone who comprehends the deep psychological impact that public humiliation can have on a goalkeeper.
Robinson remarked (h/t Tottenham Hotspur official website):
“The mental strength that he’s shown has been incredible. I was in the stadium in Madrid that night, and I’ve never seen anything like it. One of the biggest blows you could have as a goalkeeper is to be substituted. To come back from that in the way that he has, at such a young age, to have that challenge so early on in his career, it’s difficult. You’re always on an upward trajectory, and things have been going well, back home in Czechia, his club career, his international career, it’s always been on an upward curve. Then you do get a hit like that. It’s coming, but you just don’t know when it’s coming.”
Robinson Credits Kinsky and De Zerbi for Positive Turnaround
Robinson acknowledged both Kinsky’s inherent character and Roberto De Zerbi’s effective management style in contributing to the young goalkeeper’s turnaround. While noting that circumstances, such as Vicario’s injury, played a role, Robinson emphasized that Kinsky deserves significant personal credit for his response.
What followed was a candid reflection on Robinson’s own setbacks. His blunder against Croatia at Euro 2008, which effectively ended England’s tournament aspirations, left a lasting impact on him that lasted more than a year and extended beyond the football pitch.
“For me, after England-Croatia, it was tough. Juande Ramos took me in and out of the team; my performances weren’t at the level because that affected me. I used to drop the little one off at school or go to the supermarket, and you’d see people talking and think, are they talking about me? Everyone was talking about it. It was difficult; it affected me and knocked my confidence for over 18 months,” he recounted.
The comparison to Kinsky’s situation is compelling, as Robinson understands the demanding nature of recovering from such experiences. His own journey took 18 months, and he candidly admitted that leaving Spurs in the wake of the crisis was a mistake driven by a desire to play rather than clear-headed decision-making.
“At the time, my thinking was I need to keep playing. Therefore, I needed to get out of Spurs because I needed to play regular first-team football to get my England place back. Now, at 46, a lot wiser and with hindsight, I should have just sat on my hands, and I’d have stayed at Tottenham for another six, seven years because Harry Redknapp would have been the perfect manager for me,” he said.
This admission carries genuine regret, especially as he recalls the joy of lifting the League Cup in 2008. “The day I climbed those steps at Wembley to lift that trophy, the best day of my career, I knew I was leaving the football club that I loved at the time, which was even harder.”
For Kinsky, Robinson’s journey serves both as a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration. The caution is that such moments can define careers if not managed properly, while the inspiration lies in Robinson’s ability to ultimately achieve success at Tottenham, culminating in that League Cup victory. At just 23, with a supportive manager, Kinsky has ample reason to believe his journey is just beginning.