WHEN the turn of a flip-chart told Paul Robinson he had just been axed for Spurs’ biggest game for a decade, his future in North London suddenly seemed destined to be short-lived.

After well over 150 games for Tottenham, the England keeper found himself out in the cold for a Carling Cup semi-final with arch rivals Arsenal – with the manager leaving it until the last minute to reveal the news.

Having already suffered a loss of confidence, after high-profile mistakes for England, Robinson admits the moment proved pivotal in his White Hart Lane downfall – despite sticking around to help lift the trophy later that year.

Now showing signs of the form that saw him become the country’s number one just over a year ago, after his summer switch to Blackburn Rovers, Robinson reflects on the toughest period of his career and admits it has only served to make him tougher.

The former Leeds and Spurs man stops short of blaming old boss Juande Ramos ahead of his first return to White Hart Lane since but admits that day back in January was the start of things to come.

Robinson said: “I was disappointed with the way he handled the situation but you could say that was a turning point. We had a team meeting and he turned the chart over and the team was on the board and I wasn’t in it.

“I wasn’t pulled beforehand or a little word in the ear that you’ve not been doing this or that and we’re going to leave you out this week.

“A manager is within his rights to do what he wants to do but there are certain ways of managing players and getting the best from players and the way that I was playing and the way my confidence was at the time, that probably wasn’t the best way to treat me.”

The 29-year-old’s five-year spell in London was not without its good times, having played 175 times and helping Rovers to Carling Cup glory in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea last campaign.

The abiding memory will be the sourness of the last few months though, when he lost his number one spot to Radek Cerny as Ramos failed to keep faith in a keeper going through a troubled time.

“I don’t think I’ve got anything to prove,” he said. “I’m just going to go back there and enjoy it going there as a Blackburn player. I’ve got a lot of fond memories and good friends at Tottenham so I’m going back there looking for a 0-0 draw, I think!"”

“No, the last few months didn’t go exactly as I’d have wanted. When you have difficult times as a player, a dip in confidence you need the people around you to support you and believe in you, giving you the confidence.

“I didn’t have that at the time and it was a difficult time for me but to win something before I left and give something back was nice.

“The manager had his opinions and he wanted to do certain things his way and there were certain things he wanted to change. If you're not part of somebody’s plans, even if you’re playing well, there’s nothing you can do, but at the time I wasn’t playing well which made his decision a lot easier.

“The manager is paid to manage the football club and he’s paid to get results. How he goes about it is up to him and as a player you don’t question that.”

An England recall for Wednesday’s win in Germany was just reward for Robinson’s form at Ewood Park this campaign as he continues to relish the new lease of life his summer switch has given.

He won’t forget the dark days at Tottenham though, insisting it is moments like that that ultimately make you stronger.

He said: “I’ve changed a lot as a player and a person in the last couple of years, learnt a lot of lessons and found strength that I didn't realise I had. I knew I was strong but there are certain resources that you have to rely on.

“To come here has been a breath of fresh air, the manager has been fantastic with me, he’s a players’ manager and he gives respect and support to all his players.”

Now Robinson’s successor at Spurs, Heurelho Gomes, has fast become their fall guy.

Robinson added: “I feel for Gomes to be honest because he’s a very good goalkeeper but I can see what he’s going through at the moment.

“He’s a great shot-stopper and I don’t think he’s in a happy place at the moment but I’m sure there’s a lot more to come from him.”