Ex-skipper Paul Robinson blasts Birmingham City players’ attitude after sinking by the seaside

Former Birmingham City captain Paul Robinson has launched a scathing attack on the club’s players and questioned their commitment to the cause after yesterday’s 6-1 mauling at Blackpool.

Robinson, who made 175 appearances for and enjoyed an eight-year association with Blues as both player and coach, suggested more of the St Andrew’s club’s academy prospects should be given opportunities in the first team squad given some of the shambolic displays served up by more senior players in recent weeks and months.

Robinson, who was named Blues’ player of the season in 2013/14 – when he was also club and team captain – only joined on an initial one-month contract in September 2012 to cover for injuries.

Such was his impact, though, that the deal was extended and his playing career lasted until the end of the 2017/18 campaign when he retired at the age of 39.

‘Robbo’, as he is affectionately known, does not see the same sort of commitment on display by those currently wearing the royal blue, particularly over the Easter period in which Blues shipped ten goals in just a few minutes more than a game-and-a-half.

Whilst huge swathes of the Blues faithful are disillusioned with the club’s ‘faceless’ owners and others are questioning the tactics of boss Lee Bowyer, former West Brom star Robinson believes too many of the Birmingham players are shirking their own responsibilities.

What did Robinson say?

He told @BcfcMedia_: “Everyone talks about Birmingham City Football Club. No matter where you go, everyone talks about the fans, the atmosphere and what a great club it is.

“At the moment, though, it’s not a great club because they’re always down at the bottom of the league and they shouldn’t be.

“In my eyes, it will always be a great club because that’s what I signed up for.

“When I was first asked to go and train for Birmingham City under Lee Clark, for me it was a great club. It meant a lot to me because I was signing for a great club.

“Are we attracting players now that think Birmingham City is a great club or are we seeing players that are just on it for a little jolly?

“Do they understand what it takes or what it means to play for Birmingham City Football Club?

“No, I don’t think they do and that’s the most disappointing thing about it.”

‘Time to give youth its chance in the remainder of the season’

Robinson was a combative figure and sometimes made enemies on the pitch, but he could never be accused of not giving his all and, sadly for Blues, he doesn’t think the current crop of players are putting their bodies on the line as required.

The 43-year-old added: “I reckon you’ve got more players in the academy who will want to prove a point and put themselves out there.

“Even though they might make mistakes, they’d give more playing for Birmingham City Football Club because they know how much more it means to them.”

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