Robinson hails fitting Poll exit

Last updated : 26 May 2007 By Danny Deeming
West Brom captain Paul Robinson is trusting referee Graham Poll to keep his cards in his pocket during the Championship play-off final.The Baggies take on Derby at the national stadium on Monday when Poll, most famous for booking Croatian defender Josip Simunic three times during a World Cup 2006 clash with Australia, is expected to take charge of the last game of his 26-year career. The Tring official, who retired from tournament finals but continued to referee in Champions League and international matches, is expected to turn to the after-dinner speaking circuit. But no-nonsense left-back Robinson, who was sent off twice and picked up 11 yellow cards during his 2006-07 season to date, is expecting Poll to show restraint in a game which will see the victors into the Premiership and guaranteed an estimated £60million in increased revenues.
Robinson said: "I did not realise it was Graham Poll's last game until someone told me the other day, but I think it will be a great way for him to retire and as long as he does not give somebody three yellow cards I think he will be all right. Hopefully he will make sure it is a good game of football and everybody can enjoy it. But there will not be anyone pulling out of tackles - we have a game of football to win against Derby. The most important aspect of the game on Monday is that we win it and if that means an ugly game then we are prepared for that. If someone comes up to me in August and says 'congratulations getting into the Premiership but it was a terrible game in the play-off final' I would not be bothered in the slightest. Harvey Nicholls have supplied the suits Albion players will wear on their journey to the final and the team paid also paid a secret visit to Wembley on Wednesday. Derby meanwhile, decided against a reconnaissance mission to the capital and instead opted for a day at a health farm and will travel to the capital on Sunday afternoon in less formal attire, wearing tracksuits. "There is no right and wrong way to prepare. It all depends on the personalities in your squad. I read somewhere the Derby manager checked out the Millennium Stadium prior to the play-off final when he was with Preston in 2005 and they ended up losing. But our gaffer took us down and I think that was a great decision. "If Derby want to prepare at a health farm then good for them, it sounds nice, and perhaps they like getting wrapped up in seaweed."
The superstitious Baggies defender added: "I will be wearing my lucky underpants at Wembley. They are lucky because I have never lost when I have been wearing them. They are a nice, stripy number - but they do not have the club badge on them or anything like that."