Hi there.

One of the best and most important parts of my job is the chance to meet the country’s top footballers, and to interview them at press conferences, after matches, or in their own time.

It’s a privilege that most fans never experience, but most would love the chance to spend a few minutes with their heroes, and ask them whatever they wanted.

It was great therefore to be asked to host a special England Fans Forum yesterday involving Paul Robinson. The event, organised by the national team’s sponsor Nationwide, was the first in a series of question and answer sessions which give real supporters the chance to come face to face with England players, and give them a firm, old fashioned grilling.

When it comes to the media, the Spurs goalkeeper is often good value, giving honest answers and decent opinion, and so it proved yesterday, as he spent half an hour tackling the fans’ questions on a range of subjects.

Supporters learnt that as a boy Robinson had supported Hull City, that the best player he’d ever faced was Rivaldo, and that he’s remarkably superstitious.

I’ve witnessed the highs and lows of Robinson’s international career. I was in Geneva back in 2005 when England beat Argentina in a dramatic friendly. The Spurs man was in astonishing form that night, pulling off a series of wonder saves that kept his side in the game before Michael Owen’s two late goals secured victory.

Robinson spoke yesterday of how that match represented his coming of age with England, and how he finally felt comfortable in the international arena following the performance.

Robinson was England’s undisputed choice as goalkeeper following that win, including throughout the World Cup finals in Germany, but then in October of last year came Croatia in Zagreb.

I remember staring with disbelief, along with everyone else in the Maksimir stadium, as Gary Neville’s back-pass hit that deadly divot, and cruelly bobbled over Robinson’s boot and into the net. It was a freak goal, but one that could easily have affected a ‘keeper’s confidence.

Some critics cited that unfortunate incident, and the good form of rivals like Ben Foster and David James, to suggest Robinson’s international place was, for the first time, coming under threat.

Foster was chosen to play against Spain in a friendly in February, but then, when it came to the crunch, the Spurs man was back in for the qualifiers against Israel and Andorra, and produced two clean sheets. In fact, Robinson’s only been beaten twice in this campaign, and both those goals came in Zagreb.

The ‘keeper offered some words of comfort yesterday for those in the audience worried by England’s form in Group E. Despite being in fourth place, England will and must qualify, said Robinson.

With the exception of Russia he insisted, England have already played their toughest away games, and the new Wembley will be a key advantage later in the campaign against the likes of Israel and Croatia.

Robinson’s enjoyed a season of ups and downs with both England and Spurs. He’s helped his club reach the Semi-Finals of the Carling Cup, and the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and UEFA Cup, only to suffer defeat with silverware tantalisingly in sight.

Spurs have impressed regularly throughout the season, but they've enjoyed just one clean sheet since October. This year Robinson scored the second goal of his career against Watford (and Ben Foster!), and will now hope Spurs can recover from some poor recent form to secure qualification for Europe again.

For England Robinson faces bigger battles over the next few months, but his faith in England’s resilience is to be applauded, as his willingness to front up to the fans, and give them a chance to hear his views.

Do you want to ask Dan a question? Email your questions to editor@TheFA.com.