Robins Relishing Margate Run

After Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Burgess Hill Town, Manager Jay Saunders reserved praise for one particular stand-out performance from young midfielder Jordy Robins.

Robins was reinstated into the Margate starting eleven as soon as Saunders himself returned to the club. It has proven an astute decision by the Manager, with Robins’ string of fine solo performances coinciding with The Gate’s eight-game unbeaten run in the Bostik League.

Playing alongside the experienced James Rogers in the heart of the Margate side, Robins and his team-mates had to show a different dimension to their play, as they ground out a win against the league’s basement side at the weekend.

Speaking after the match, Robins explained how the Margate squad are finding different means of getting good results.

“It was another great win on Saturday and it was nice to keep the unbeaten run and the momentum building as we enter the last part of the season. I think we did what we had to do, we were solid defensively, played to the conditions and looked a threat throughout the game.”

“I thought last week against Merstham we were able to get the ball down for longer periods and play more free-flowing, attractive football, but you can't always play like that.”

“Saturday was about doing the ugly stuff, winning the physical battle, and fortunately we were able to show that we can win games playing both ways.”

Robins’ enjoyable run in the Margate team is transpiring in his performances, as demonstrated at Leylands Park on Saturday afternoon.

“It was nice to get some recognition from Jay especially when the whole squad has been so good the last couple of months. I think Saturday probably was one of my better performances in a Margate shirt.”

“To be honest over the last few weeks I've felt a bit more settled and this has allowed me to relax on the ball and make better decisions. I'm finding the balance of when to get the ball down and play and when to be more direct, and it is definitely helping me be more effective in my role.”

Besides a fourth successive win, Saturday’s result was the third clean sheet Margate have accumulated, as Robins explained the role he and Rogers are asked to do to contribute to The Gate’s defensive shape.

“I'm always delighted with a clean sheet because I know how important it is for teams that want to be successful to be good defensively. When you have a lot of attacking options like we do, mine and Rogo's job is more about giving them the ball to go and create and be direct, but we have to be disciplined defensively to give them that freedom.”

“Rogo gets a lot stick from the players - and deservedly so - but as a young player he's just what I need as he talks me through the game. He's experienced and we enjoy playing with each other.”

“Clean sheets means that as a back six we must be doing something right, and it's even better when you see goals going in at the other end too.”

“I did have to be a little bit patient but that's what happens in football and I always backed myself to come back into the side and make a positive impact when that time came.”

“It's obviously nice that we've since gone on an unbeaten run, and confidence is high, but we're definitely not getting ahead of ourselves and taking anything for granted. There are no easy games in this league.”

Robins added,

“I do think that in recent weeks I've been able to show more of what I am as a player. First things first I will always do, or try to do, what's expected of me in my role, whether that's defensively or tactically.”

“But I'm a ball player, so I also want to make sure that I'm on the ball as much as possible, bringing players into the game and starting attacks too. In recent weeks I've been doing more of that, which is really pleasing for me, especially when the results have been good too.”

Robins and his team-mates are understandably buoyed by The Gate’s recent turnaround in fortunes but will not be taking anything for granted in training as they prepare for the visit of Kingstonian.

“As you can probably imagine, the atmosphere is really positive and we're high on confidence. The players are happy and it's a good place to be around. But we know the challenge that is coming up on Saturday and obviously they got the better of us last time, so like I said, we're not taking anything for granted.”

“There was a good intensity at training on Monday and I think we all have our targets of where we want to be by the end of the season. Hopefully we can put in another good home performance on Saturday and keep this run going.”

Robins’ final word was saved for supporters who he hopes the team can reward with a similar performance to the one against Merstham the last time they played at Hartsdown Park.

“Saturday is another opportunity to put on a performance in front of the fans. They stuck by us through some of the difficult periods of the season so it's been nice in recent weeks to be able to repay them for the faith they've shown us.”

“Hopefully they are in good voice on Saturday, as it definitely gives the players a boost when we can hear them in the stands.”

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