TV news pulled plug on Wales for Rob

Mar 29 2008 by Mark Bloom, South Wales Echo

FORMER Cardiff City striker Robert Earnshaw has been around long enough to take it on the chin when he is dropped from a side, whether it’s at club or international level.

And he’s had to be mentally tough this season at Derby County, where on top of a miserable time of things for everyone at Pride Park, Earnshaw has found his first team opportunities limited, despite moving from Norwich for a record £3m the previous summer.

But just 10 days ago the ex-Ninian Park favourite hit a new low.

He arrived home from training, switched on the television, selected Sky Sports News, and discovered that he had been dropped from the Wales squad to face Luxembourg the following week.

He had no idea beforehand. Not even an inkling.

Earnshaw is not the type to expect special treatment, but to be dropped in such a fashion having been a key member of the set-up since the days of Mark Hughes, was very hard for him to swallow.

“I was obviously gutted with the pure fact that I had been dropped by Wales,” admitted the pint-sized forward, “But to find out from the television was disappointing to say the least.

“I thought a phone call or some kind of communication to me personally would have been made.

“I was just frustrated with the whole business. To be honest a simple phone call would not have gone amiss.”

As Earnshaw points out, he scored in a win against San Marino last October and then played a part in a 0-0 draw against Germany in Frankfurt.

He agrees with John Toshack’s contention that he needs to be playing more first team football for Derby. But a guy who has a goal ratio of one every three games in his 39 caps, insists he has a lot still to offer in the red shirt of Wales.

“Sometimes I have gone away with Wales hoping that I could get some game-time under my belt, particularly at times when domestically I have not figured for a few games,” he explained.

“But it wasn’t to be on this occasion.

“Saying that, playing for Wales is very important to me.

“It has always been and will continue to be, a big part of my life.

“There’s no doubt, being dropped was a big blow for me and the sooner I can get time on the pitch with my club the better because that’s what will get me back in the national squad.”

While Derby are certainties for the drop back to the Championship, Earnshaw insists that he has no regrets about going there.

He has always insisted that he belongs in the Premiership and he is not changing his mind on that.

And Earnshaw says being in the top flight is improving him as a player – even if Derby aren’t exactly setting the world alight.

“We played at Old Trafford one week against Giggs and Ronaldo, and the next at Stamford Bridge against Drogba and John Terry,” he added.

“You can’t buy that sort of experience.

“Every player wants to play in the Premiership, but not every player has a chance to do that.

“Thankfully I’ve been lucky to do so and I know that, given a run of 10 to 15 games, I can make an impact at this level.

“I don’t need to prove to anybody that I’m a Premiership player.

“The only person I need to satisfy is myself, because I’m my worst critic.”

The Caerphilly-born player has a good lifestyle and is probably financially secure for the rest of his life with more than £10m worth of transfers on his CV.

But Earnshaw still has the hunger for the game.

“The money is nice don’t get me wrong, but that is not what it’s all about for me,” he insisted.

“I want to win things and play in the Premiership for as long as I can.

“Football is a big part of my life and I want to be playing every week at the highest standard I can.

“While things may not be hitting the right spot at the moment, that’s football, and I know my form will return.”

mark.bloom@mediawales.co.uk