Robson will bolster midfield

It was apparent to anybody who watched the Vancouver Whitecaps regularly last year that the midfield was lacking a leader to run the show.

All sorts of names were thrown around by pundits and fans alike to address that situation.

Some touted classy playmakers to get on the ball and dominate possession. Others advocated an established defensive midfielder, a destroyer who would shield the back four and distribute simply to the more creative, attacking players.

By bringing in Barry Robson, a 33-year-old Scot who arrives in July, Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie has found a player who is a very rare creature in world football.

The midfielder, currently playing with Middlesbrough in England’s second tier, is technically gifted, with a classy touch, but also has the work ethic and grit associated with British players. He’s not afraid to throw in a tackle or get involved in the physical side of the game -- indeed he’s a player who has been sent off on two club debuts (with Dundee United and Middlesbrough).

This season Robson, who will be a Designated Player for Vancouver, has received 10 yellow cards in 23 league matches for ‘Boro -- Vancouver fans will be leery of a situation similar to the one that saw its first DP Eric Hassli pick up seven cards in seven games, two of which were second yellows that led to dismissals.

No doubt there will be a settling in period -- it may not be until his second season with the club that Robson shows his best. Even if he is as fit as advertised, arriving in July after a full English season means he will have a schedule of matches which started in August 2011 and will run through to at least October 2012.

Rennie and the Whitecaps physio team will need to manage Robson’s minutes carefully, but if there’s a tight playoff race under way the temptation will always be to play him when possible.

There’s also the issue of the heat. Robson has played his entire career in the cool, damp conditions of English and Scottish winters. North America in the peak of summer will present a physical challenge Robson has never experienced on a consistent basis -- there are matches where his marauding, infectious style of play simply won’t be possible.

But while there should be reasonable concerns about Robson’s disciplinary record and whether or not he’ll adapt, it’s hard not to like the acquisition.

Robson is versatile, technically gifted, passionate and deadly from set piece situations.

He also has nerves of steel and has scored in Old Firm derbies and even against the mighty Barcelona in the Champions League during his Celtic days.

There’s very little to dislike about this pickup, and while it won’t be considered a home run until he’s done anything in Major League Soccer, Robson’s summer arrival can’t come soon enough.

Martin MacMahon is a Vancouver-based writer who covers the Vancouver Whitecaps for MLSsoccer.com. Follow Martin on Twitter.