Planet Swans ArchivesThe last time Swansea City starred in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup it was a sensational free kick from Andy Robinson that started a memorable fightback against Preston at the Vetch. One round later and on a Saturday February afternoon in Birkenhead, it was Robinson again who put the Swans ahead and had them dreaming of the quarter finals before Tranmere fought back to win.
This year’s FA Cup run has seen a more sensational Swansea result – the 3-0 win at Premiership Sheffield United – but Robinson was not even a spectator as his replacement Tom Butler grabbed two goals to steal the headlines and force Robinson to start his comeback from injury with substitute appearances.
And although the name of Robinson was on the scoresheet on Tuesday night then there is every chance that he will remain on the bench for Saturday – Butler’s performance on Tuesday delivering pretty much everything bar a goal should ensure that.
But as you would expect Robinson is a man itching to make his mark on the competition and looking to extend a record that sees him six goals short of his tally for this time last season.
“I’m desperate to play against Ipswich after missing the previous round,” said the 27-year-old Scouse favourite when talking to the Western Mail
“It was sickening to get injured just before the Sheffield United game and miss out on what turned out to be such a great day for the club.
“That weekend I went back home to Merseyside to see the family, but I was following the game on TV like a fan.
“I was delighted for the players, they did extremely well to pull off the result.
“All I seemed to read in the papers was how we had 10 or 11 players out injured, but it just shows what a great squad we’ve got that we were able to go to Sheffield and win.
“Though we were all hoping to draw a big Premier club, Ipswich is still a big game and one I feel is winnable.
“Of course I want to be in the starting line-up. It’s one of those games players are always desperate to be involved in, one that could stick in the memory for a long time.
“I’d love to pop up with the winning goal. When you score goals in the FA Cup, people talk about you and you get recognised. It’s a great competition to play in.”
“My mind goes back to our last long FA Cup run a few seasons ago, which ended in a fifth-round defeat at Tranmere,” Robinson added.
“That was great for me because I was playing just down the road from where I grew up, but we missed out on the dream tie against Premiership opposition that we were hoping for.
“If we can beat Ipswich, there’s a great chance we’ll get a big top-flight side this year. And everyone at the Liberty Stadium deserves that.”
