In a league where conversations are often dominated by the title race and scoring goals is often seen as the main route to success, defenders can easily slip under the radar.
Nevertheless, it has been a transformative season for left back Antonee Robinson. One that many simply cannot ignore.
As he walks into the media room, Robinson greets the crew with a warm smile and wishes everyone a Happy New Year. It's a small moment that reflects his down-to-earth attitude, but his impact on the field has been anything but modest.
His combination of pace, defensive resilience and attacking contribution has made him one of the most consistent full-backs this season.
By his own admission, Robinson acknowledges the attention his performances have attracted, although he doesn't dwell on it too much.
“It's fun, I guess, but I try not to focus on that too much because at the end of the day it's football,” Robinson said ahead of Fulham's clash with Ipswich, live on Sky Sports this Sunday.
“I could have two bad games in a row, and people would say, 'I always knew he was c**p', and stuff like that,” he tells Sky Sports, fully aware of the unpredictable nature of football.
“You never know how things are going to turn out, so I just enjoy doing well. I enjoy that the team is doing very well and that I am doing my part.”
However, because he is reluctant to accept too much credit for his achievements, the statistics speak for themselves. No defender has provided more assists in the Premier League than Robinson. With seven assists in 19 games, he is only behind Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka in top football.
For reference, last season was a strong one for the full-back, who had six assists in 37 games in all competitions. He has already surpassed that with half a season to go.
His tenacity and eye for detail are evident. Developing his game management and decision-making was the main area of focus.
“In the final third, when I'm in a position to put crosses in, I try to slow down a little bit in my head and make sure I pick someone out or make the right decision, with the aim of making the right decision to take.” just place and slow it down a little bit in my own head,” Robinson further explains.
“It probably still feels fast, but it gives me that little bit of clarity about where to put the ball.”
Typically a private person, Robinson gives a brief insight into the influence manager Marco Silva has had on him.
“I've spoken a lot about how much I feel he has personally helped me in my development and I give him a lot of credit for that,” he smiles as he continues to add.
“But as far as the team is concerned, we have our ideals and our philosophy of how we play since he took charge of the Championship, and he has stayed true to that.”
Similarly, when asked about Robinson during his pre-match press conference, Silva spoke glowingly about the player he has known for almost a decade.
“I have known him for a long time. He paid at Everton when I became manager there and now I can work with him again here at Fulham.” Silva says as he addresses the media ahead of Sunday's match against Ipswich.
“He is much more mature, he is not emotional during the match. Most of you don't know him personally but he is very emotional and he is a calm person, but his game is now much more balanced and much more mature if I can have a say.
“If he has a good or not so good action now, it won't affect him that much. He's taking some steps as a defender and he's becoming solid. We worked with him and demanded from him and gave him space.” to trust.”
With the backing of his manager and no sign of slowing down, it's no surprise that the 27-year-old American is also one of the most popular choices among Fantasy Premier League fans.
While 25.2 percent of all users choose him in their team. In fact, he is the most chosen Fulham player, a detail that he listens to with a smile and that he would certainly share with his teammates.
“That's pretty good,” Robinson laughs, “I haven't done a fantasy in about five years now because I always set one up or set one up at some point. And I had a week where I was going to switch my team miss and do poorly, and then I think: I'm not going to worry about it now.”
Robinson leans back in his chair and chuckles as he shares stories about how his social media is filled with fans asking if he should score a goal or two. Although he sometimes finds the interactions amusing, his instructions are clear.
“Don't message me about anything FPL related. It won't affect my game.”
Like many other footballers, Robinson's rise has been defined by injuries, loan spells and moments on the bench. It is no surprise that, despite the opening of the January transfer window, he is enjoying these moments and not getting drawn into speculation about his future.
“Everyone I play with and who watches me play knows that I am 100 percent committed to the team. I give everything every week to try to help us reach the level where I think we should be and where we deserve to be .” So there is no discrimination. I always put my full 100 percent into every match.”
Few things in football last forever, but Fulham fans can take comfort in knowing there are no plans for his departure from the west London club. Instead, Robinson insists there are even higher levels his party can reach.
Since Silva's team were promoted to the top flight of English football in 2022, they have been a relatively consistent mid-table, distancing themselves from their previous yo-yo trend.
The same season they finished 10th in the league with 52 points, just one point behind their highest finish in the 2009/10 season.
“The gaffer really makes it a point to break records and make history,” says Robinson.
“Every time there's a game where there's an opportunity to do something we haven't done before, he always mentions it to us.”
He only has to think back to Boxing Day, when Fulham secured their first away win at Chelsea since 1979.
“The Stamford Bridge match is a good example of that. The speech he gave us before the match. We haven't won there for 45 years. We managed it. We managed to make that happen.”
“We fell just one point short of equaling the points in our first Premier League season, finishing 10th. And given the quality the league has had this season and where we are now, how many points we have, it's a One real testament because all the teams are in the middle of the pack and around ninth place. So if we can get that, we will get a European place.”
As Fulham prepare to extend their seven-match unbeaten run into the new year. Robinson shares the collective ambition felt by many at the club.
“No one is going to give us games. We will have to earn every point,” he says.
“In the second half of the season, try to improve on our points tally from the first half. Push up the table and hopefully make an FA Cup run as well.”
In football terms, his boyhood days may be behind him, but Robinson is on the rise and believes he has much more to offer.
“I still see my game improving and believe there is potential to keep getting better, and I hope that is the case,” he says.
“Of course I'm happy with the level I'm performing at now, but I always set the bar high and take what comes my way.”
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