In an exclusive interview with BOYLE Sports, retired midfield martial Bryan Robson spoke about parallels between Szoboszlai and Gerrard, he named who he believes is the greatest British midfielder to play in the Premier League t o settle the debate once and for all over which one of Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes or Steven Gerrard and name checks one of those who reminded him of his playing style.
In a wide-ranging interview, Robson also gave his views on Arsenal's quadruple hopes, insisting their main aim must be the Premier League and earmarks Eze to have a run in the side. The former West Brom player and manager also offered his insights into the Championship , the struggle's of his former club but rules out a return to management!
Steven Gerrard
Parallels Between Szoboszlai And Gerrard?
Can you compare Dominik Szoboszlai and Steven Gerrard ? Szoboszlai’s free kicks this season have been amazing, and it’s not very often he gives away the ball.
He’s an athletic player and a good all-rounder, but I don’t think he’s as good as Steven Gerrard because Gerrard could do everything. He could even defend. For me, Szoboszlai has got a lot of the same abilities, but for me, he’s not quite there as another Steven Gerrard, but he’s only been in the country for a year or so, so he’ll develop, and he’s already a top player.
Greatest British Midfielder
I would say Steven Gerrard , just because of his all-round ability. Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard were great goal scorers and great creators of chances, but defensively, I just think Gerrard could do everything. He'd score great goals, he had a presence about him, and he was a great passer of the ball, so I'd just go for Gerard .
Did You See Yourself In Gerrard?
I don’t want to big myself up, but yes, I could score goals, and I could defend, so we were very similar in those respects.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s Quad Hopes
Will Arsenal win the quadruple? No, and I definitely say no because when you get to the end of the season, and you've played as many games as you have, if you're in the Champions League and the FA Cup final , it is really difficult to keep going with all the Premier League games.
That amount of games put pressure on the squad as far as suspensions with bookings, sending-offs, injuries and anything like that. Arsenal have got a great squad, and I was impressed with their buys in the summer, but to go on and win, it's hard enough doing the treble, let alone the quadruple. If you ask me, and I had to go to the bookies and put a bit of money on it, I'd say no.
Arsenal’s Main Aim Must Be The Premier League
Arsenal's main aim has got to be to the Premier League , and I think they'll concentrate on that first and foremost, but I think Manchester City can still give them a real run for their money to win the title. City have got the experience of being in these situations before, and Pep Guardiola is the top coach. He knows how to relax his players. He knows how to build them up. Arsenal still have to go to City too, and that is going to be one hell of a game to decide the title come the end of the season.
In the cup competition, sometimes it can all be down to a bit of unluckiness. You hit a game where you don’t get any luck at all because you have a million chances and you don’t put them away, and then suddenly they go and score with their one chance of the game. Cup competitions can be as brutal as that, even though you've dominated the game. But for me, I would have thought it’s all about the Premier League for Arsenal this season.
Eze vs Odegaard
In fairness to Martin Odegaard , he’s picked up a few injuries, and so he's been in and out of the team because he's probably not quite fit. He hasn't played as regularly as he's normally done. But him being fit will make an enormous difference to Arsenal in the final weeks of the season.
Championship
Championship Title Race
I'm not quite sure whether Middlesbrough can win the league this year. They should get automatic promotion behind Coventry City. I watched Middlesbrough against Sheffield United, and they were outstanding once they got past the first 15 minutes. The result that disappointed me was not beating Coventry at home.
You’re hoping that they can keep playing to the standard of their match against Sheffield United , and I see no reason why they can’t. Their confidence should be high. They’re second in the league. They’ve got the Premier League in their sights. Hopefully, they can keep the form that they’re in at the moment and go forward to join Coventry in the Premier League because, from what I’ve seen, Coventry will win the title.
Relegation Woes For West Brom
It would be a disaster for West Brom to go down. They’ve always been a really steady club, but now they’re down there fighting relegation, and it’s not what I’d like to see. I was there for eight years as a kid, and then being there for a couple of years as a manager, so I just hope they can improve.
They need to get a bit of fortune in front of goal and to win games, and you might be thinking I don’t fancy them in this position, but they’ve got to be organised, and they’ve got to just keep fighting because the players have to realise that they are lucky to be at a club like West Brom . The last thing you want is to be in the squad of players that got West Brom relegated to the third division.
Managing West Brom
Would I want to go back to West Brom like Martin O’Neill has done at Celtic ? No thanks! I’ve got my grey hair from being a manager, but look, I loved the role of being a manager; it’s just 24 hours a day, every day, every week, so I have no intentions of going back. Although now you've asked me that, it’s got me thinking. I might be tempted.
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