Robinson: Big Sam has still got so much to give at top level

Karl Robinson is adamant Sam Allardyce still has plenty to offer after their short stint together at Leeds last season.

The pair were brought in to Elland Road after Jesse Marsch's sacking in February but were unable to keep the West Yorkshire outfit in the Premier League.

Nevertheless, Robinson — who worked alongside Robbie Keane as one of Allardyce's two assistants — claims his now former colleague has not lost his hunger for the game, despite the fact he turns 69 in October.

Speaking exclusively to LiveScore, Robinson said: "Sam's career in the Premier League isn't done, I don't think.

"There will be opportunities but it's down to what he wants to do at his age.

"After seeing him on the touchline, in the dressing room and in team meetings, I just think he's got so much more to give.

"Sam just makes people believe in his project. He's got a power and when you're working with him, there's something that makes you smile — I hope I've got that when I'm his age!

"I think international football is something he would enjoy — director of football is a role he would love too."

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Testing times

Allardyce had to contend with numerous injury issues at Leeds towards the end of last season, which Robinson thinks hindered their attempts to build solid foundations and avoid relegation.

However, the ex-MK Dons and Oxford boss believes there are also some positives to be taken from Allardyce's tenure — notably in the final third.

Robinson, 42, explained: "It was hard for Sam to play the way he wanted.

"Rodrigo was injured, Patrick Bamford missed the last game of the season, Tyler Adams wasn't fit and there were so many big players who didn't get on the pitch while Sam was there.

"But if you look at the games we played, we were also still close to achieving what the gaffer wanted.

"Against Spurs, we had around 20 shots on goal, while the Newcastle and West Ham games were also very good attacking performances, I think.

"Sam believes first and foremost in clean sheets and then if you get that base right, you can move forward as a club.

"And I'm the same. If I go into a job the first thing on my mind is to not concede. Sadly, we didn't have quite long enough to build that solid base at Leeds."

Gnonto saga

Allardyce and Robinson worked with Wilfried Gnonto at Leeds last season, the winger who is currently at the centre of a prolonged transfer saga.

The Italy international has not been in the Whites' matchday squad for the last two Championship games after submitting a transfer request.

On the situation, Robinson said: "Willy is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. I got on with him really well.

"I just don't see it [the transfer request] being his decision, knowing him.

"If he played, scored goals and then Leeds decided to sell him for the future of the club, I don't think any fan would argue with that."

Robinson added: "What would I do as a manager? I'd play him. 

"I just hope Willy gets it right because these footballers have a short career and he's such a talent.

"But people also forget that these football superstars are still incredibly young human beings, they don't know 100% who they are yet."