The latest Birmingham City news and opinion as Jack Robinson made his full debut since his deadline day transfer from Sheffield United
Football Correspondent for Reach, journalist covering the Premier League and EFL for more than 20 years, a lover of most non-animal based or traffic-related sports and extreme cold water.
Birmingham City defender Jack Robinson
Birmingham City brought 12 players to the club in the summer transfer window in a bid to add two elements to what was already a strong squad.
Fresh from storming League One, there was no laurel-resting, public utterances from the higher-ups spoke about going again, emulating Ipswich and winning back to back promotions.
To achieve that Chris Davies knew he needed to recruit players with a history of winning things and leadership.
Demarai Gray arrived with a Premier League winner’s medal, albeit one with the qualification that he was a young bit-part player when it was achieved.
Bright Osayi-Samuel had helped Blackpool to promotion to the Championship, Marvin Ducksch helped put Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, while Kyogo Furuhashi won nine trophies at Celtic.
Even the loanees came silver-lined. James Beadle and Tommy Doyle have both won the European Under-21 title with England, Patrick Roberts has two promotions with Sunderland and Eiran Cashin one while at Derby.
Even little Lewis Koumas was a part of the Liverpool squad which won the Carabao Cup in 2024, without getting on the pitch. Kanya Fujimoto will hope his time comes this season.
And then there’s Jack Robinson, who in in five years at Sheffield United, made 159 apperances, captained the team and was part of the side which won promotion to the Premier League in 2023.
Robinson’s time at Bramall Lane ended on a down note, with the Blades stumbling late and allowing Leeds United and Burnley to escape them at the top of the table.
His personal form dipped too but despite the criticism, especially after the loss at Plymouth Argyle in April when Chris Wilder was fury made flesh.
The United manager addressed the issue both privately and publicly and whilst there was an element of criticism, it came with the mitigation the defender had done nothing more than fall short of his own high standards.
“He has to lead from the front, and he’s been outstanding for us so far this season,” Wilder said.
“But when these big pressure games come up you want your leaders and your experienced players out there, who have been through the process and who have been down the stretch. Like Robbo has, and achieved success.”
Leadership and success – the two traits actively sought by Blues right until the final minutes of the transfer window.
Robinson and Roberts were the last two through the door – both very recent Championship promotion winners and both of whom paid their first dividend last weekend.
Roberts came off the bench to set up Lyndon Dykes’ late winner, Robinson was given his first start and restored balance to Blues’ defence, making everyone, on the the pitch, in the stands and in the dug-out, feel a little more comfortable.
Davies spoke effusively about the 32-year-old after the 1-0 win over Swansea saying: “Jack’s experience was big for us for us today. I thought he defended well every time the ball went up in the air, I don’t think he lost a header and he showed his experience.”
Up the M1 Wilder, who left after missing out on promotion last season, was back and took charge for the first game of his third stint with the Blades, a game they lost at home to Charlton.
“We’ve got a bit of work to do. There are some bits and pieces out of there I was pretty pleased with, but there’s a lot of stuff that definitely needs some work on the training ground.”
If one game is any kind of worthwhile evidence, Blues looked like they have nicked the kind of player Wilder needs when he wasn’t looking.
What is Blues’ best defensive combinaton? Have your say here
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