Why Jack Robinson would be a handy signing for Sheffield United
According to BBC, Sheffield United have signed defender Jack Robinson from Nottingham Forest. The player was at the training ground on Monday to complete the second part of his medical ahead of a transfer to Bramall Lane before the January deadline.
The Blades got down to business very early in the winter market, bolstering their midfielder with a short-term deal for former Man City star Jack Rodwell.
Robinson, 26, has made a total of 18 appearances for the Reds in the EFL Championship so far this term, primarily featuring as a left-back in Sabri Lamouchi’s preferred 4-2-3-1 system.
Robinson was a regular fixture in the Frenchman’s playing XI at the City Ground earlier in the campaign but he has now lost his starting place to Chema Rodriguez, who has been converted from a central defender to a left-back by the manager.
Born in Warrington, Robinson rose through the youth ranks at Liverpool and made his senior debut for the Reds during the 2009-10 season aged just 16 years and 250 days. In doing so, he became the youngest first-team debutant for the club.
Robinson failed to establish himself at his boyhood club and clocked up only 11 senior appearances for Liverpool, whilst also spending time on loan at Wolves and Blackpool in the Championship.
The former England U21 international eventually completed a permanent move to QPR back in 2014 and had a brief stint on loan at Huddersfield Town before joining Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2018 on a two-year deal. Robinson has recorded a total of 59 appearances for Forest in all competitions so far, scoring twice in the process.
Having conceded only 23 goals in 24 games so far, Sheffield United boast of the second-best defensive record in the Premier League behind runaway leaders Liverpool.
The central defensive trio of John Egan, Chris Basham and Jack O’Connell has earned plenty of plaudits for its dogged defending but Jack Robinson’s presence would add some additional cover to this backline.
Verdict
Indeed, the likes of O’Connell, Basham and Egan have been exceptional so far this season but United were lacking quality alternatives at the back. An injury to one of the regular defenders could have potentially rendered Wilder short of cover.
That is exactly why Robinson would be a useful asset to the club. Essentially a left-back by trade, the 26-year-old is also adept at playing as a left-sided centre-back and also further up the pitch as a left wing-back.
With Wilder preferring a back-three system, Robinson could be just the ideal back-up for O’Connell, who has been a regular fixture on the left-hand side of the defensive unit.
Having clocked up 170 career appearances in the Championship so far, the former England youth international has some decent experience under his belt.
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Having said that, Sheffield United have taken a step in the right direction by signing Robinson this month.
