Robbo hails “best pre-season yet”

As he prepares for his first full campaign at Croft Park midfielder Paul Robinson has described Spartans pre-season campaign as the best of his career.

The former Whitley Bay man has found himself up against the likes of Cowdenbeath, Stranraer and St Mirren, describing the latter as the "highlight of pre-season".

He said "It's been great and I think it's been the best pre-season of my career. We have faced some tough Northern League sides and the three Scottish sides were challenging fixtures. St Mirren was the highlight of pre-season and we pushed them all of the way.

I think we have coped well in every game and played some good football. It's ideal preparation for a big season ahead"

Robinson has been in fine form during the pre-season schedule and leads the goalscoring charts with four goals with only one friendly left against a Newcastle United XI at Croft Park tomorrow night.

The midfielder accepted that he has to continue his form if he is to find a regular spot in Spartans starting lineup this season.

"I've felt good and have had a decent pre-season. I'm happy with my form and obviously there are a lot of options for the manager in midfield and everyone is playing well so it's up to us to make those choices difficult for him to make"

With the new campaign just over a week away Spartans have been placed as likely play-off contenders by many onlookers. That is an opinion that Robinson agrees with and hopes his side can achieve that target.

"We have to target the play offs. We just came up short last season but we have added some real quality during the summer and although it won't be easy we just have to get in or around the play offs and take it from there"