Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg has sung a song of praise for Brazilian import Robson, predicting the talented 23-year-old will be one of the Hyundai A-League’s top-five midfielders this season.
Making 11 appearances for the club, Robson’s talent shone through last season in the club’s first ever match against Brisbane Roar, when he netted a memorable goal in the 3-1 win at Suncorp Stadium.
However a frustrating string of injuries hampered the skilful playmaker’s attempts at finding some consistent form, bouncing in and out of the squad as the 2009/10 season progressed.
Arriving back in Australia to prepare for his second stint in the Hyundai A-League, Robson has made a big impression during the off-season with Bleiberg clearly impressed by his new found enthusiasm towards the training paddock.
“I said it from last year and not many people believed me, but in my opinion if he’s on he’ll be one of the top-five midfielders in the A-League,” the United mentor said.
“He will be one of the most influential midfielders in the league and definitely for Gold Coast United, he’s my main man.”
“His body language so far this pre-season has shown to me that he’s hungry.”
“It’s also been the first time he’s stayed after training to do his own work, that’s something I didn’t see last year.”
“Hopefully it will be Robson’s year…with injuries what can we do? Some people have more bad luck and injuries than other players,” he said.
Likely to line up against rivals Brisbane in the M1 derby at Skilled Park on Sunday, Robson is touted to take up a more central role in midfield. The added defensive cover aimed at allowing United’s captain Jason Culina more creative flexibility upfront.
As one of the Roar’s former managers, Bleiberg said he was looking forward to extending United’s three match unbeaten run over Brisbane, but pointed out in good humour that imprints of his tenure at the club still remained in one-way or another.
“It’s a pleasure for me to beat the Roar more than other teams I don’t hide behind it,” he said.
“I have a lot of feelings toward the Roar, I was there not only for the first game ever played, but also when the first letters of publication were written about the club.”
On his influence Bleiberg began: “On the flight back home from the launch of the A-League I had time to look at the media guide and found three main facts about the Roar.”
“Their best ever win was 5-0 against Newcastle away and who was in charge?…Yours truly”
“The best ever win at home for the Roar was against New Zealand Knights with yours truly.”
“And the punch line…the worst ever defeat of the Roar was 5-1 against Gold Coast and who was in charge?…Yours truly.”
