Robert looked to be skating on very thin ice when he was reported to have publicly criticised Sir Bobby’s team selection and tactics, but although the comments caused problems at the time it now seems that they could prove to be a turning point in the Frenchman’s career.
“He was right, I was picking the wrong players – I was picking him!” Sir Bobby joked.
“We wrote him a very strong letter, which we asked him to sign and (confirm) that he understood what we were saying to him.
“Since then, he’s just applied himself and done very, very well. We always knew he had talent.
“I’ve had a long life in management, but I’ve never, ever, ever spent so much time with a player trying to get the very best out of him because I can see what he can do for us.
“If you know he’s not going to do that, you’re wasting your time with the player, but it wasn’t time wasted because I knew if I could get the best out of him, we had a gem of a player because he is very skilful.
“He has a fantastic left foot, he’s got a clever last pass, he’s got a good finish and he’s got a bit of pace, of course.
“Through discussion, he’s really applied himself very well and he’s an asset to us now. I don’t think there’s a winger in the country over the last month who’s scored as many goals as him, and important goals.
“He scored a goal last night that if a Beckham or a Giggs or a Kewell had taken one like that, you would have said that’s a clever goal by a clever player.”