ROBINSON DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN HIS HIGH VALE STANDARDS
SAMMY Robinson says he is still developing his game at Port Vale. His record suggests he will adapt just fine.
The 20-year-old wing-back, who signed from Manchester City in January, got his first taste of senior football with a substitute appearance for Darrell Clarke’s side last season before making 12 appearances so far this year, including four league starts.
He said: “It’s been great.
I was in my first year into professional football, got promotion and got to Wembley. When I first came in, I wasn’t playing much which was a bit difficult for me, but now this is a new season and I feel I have got off to a flying start. Hopefully it carries on and I get a few more games under my belt.”
Robinson has looked an exciting prospect down the right, causing opposition defences plenty of problems. But his priority is improving his defending, particularly dealing with the more robust nature of League One football compared to under-23 matches.
He added: “I do really want to develop the defensive side of my game. In under-23s it was less physical so was more one v one stuff than aerial duels.
“So I still want to develop that going forward side of my game but the one bit I really want to focus on is the defensive aspects.”
Robinson certainly looks comfortable on the ball with the technical ability you would expect from a player who started in the youth system at Leeds United before further developing in Manchester City’s academy.
He also grew up playing a number of positions, as he explained: “I started as a striker then played centre back, then got a bit older and played centre midfield. I then came back to centre back when I moved to City and then got moved to right back.
“But then, in the younger ages when we went to tournaments such as in Barcelona, I played striker, right-wing, centre mid and right back all in the same game. So I am pretty versatile and feel that is a big part of my game, I think I can play anywhere I was asked to play.
“In centre midfield, you have people all around you, so need to work on checking your shoulder, seeing the spaces and whether you can get the ball, turn and run at people.
“At centre back you get to work on your defending, aerial dues and one v one defending, then as a full back you are up and down and have to do both areas. I feel like it’s helped me a lot, that is probably why I would say I am all-round player.”
But, as he stresses, an all-round player who is still learning under Darrell Clarke and his staff. He says team mates have also helped him settle in as he has switched from under-23s to men’s football.
He said: “You get into the professional game and it is a lot tougher and more physical. You learn a few things, the other players have taught me a lot.
“The lads have really helped me out, especially Wozzer (Dave Worrall). When I first
came in he took me under his wing. They have all helped me settle in quite easily.
“If you come in acting like ‘the man’ then no one is going to come to you, But if you
come in respectfully, respect the senior pros and everyone else in the changing room then
people get drawn to you.”