Sheffield United have completed the signing of Nottingham Forest defender Jack Robinson.
The Blades have landed Robinson on a two-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee. The 26-year-old becomes the club’s second new addition of the January transfer window after Jack Rodwell.
Manager Chris Wilder has pointed to the fact that Robinson can play in a number of roles as a reason for bringing him in. The Liverpool academy product would be comfortable at left wing-back or, more importantly, as the left-sided centre-back in Wilder’s 3-5-2 system.
It also maintains United’s tendency to target Championship players whom they believe can make the step up to the Premier League. Since being promoted to the top flight they have signed five from the second tier.
Rodwell’s last club was also Blackburn Rovers, whom he left in the summer before arriving at Bramall Lane as a free agent.
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What Sheffield United and Forest fans think of Jack Robinson
(Photo by Jon Hobley/ MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Robinson is likely to be viewed as a squad player, even if Wilder insists he hasn’t been signed to simply make up the numbers.
It is hardly a transfer likely to seriously excite supporters. Yet as these Blades fans point out, many of their signings since the 52-year-old became boss in May 2016 probably fall into the same category.
Current first team stars, such as George Baldock, Jack O’Connell, Enda Stevens and John Fleck, were hardly marquee additions. But all have greatly exceeded expectations and are now invaluable.
It might just be that wilder sees something that we don’t. I am pretty sure when we started off in league one he made choices with signings that we thought was odd and look at us now. Have faith.
— Thomas (@bigkitch17) January 21, 2020
Tbh i don’t see anything in 99% of the signings and they always turn out to be absolute hidden gems. I trust in wilder even if he signs Emille Heskey now 😁
— Romysh Bellucci (@R0MYSH) January 21, 2020
Low risk signing and better back up for JOC than we previously had, fee likely to be low given his contract status, so how any one has an issue with this is baffling
— A2JWILKO84 (@jwilko84) January 21, 2020
Meanwhile, these Forest supporters think Wilder may have made another shrewd decision.
Tidy left back with a tidy trim. Stumbled a bit for us this season in places but for the most part of his 59 games was one of the most consistent in the squad. Decent cross on him as well, so if you’re a blade and you’re confused or annoyed by this, don’t be. Robbo is a good plur
— Uncle Alfa Appreciation Society (@Albert_Society) January 21, 2020
Did the job for us at forest old school defender top tackler ! Dropped off radar in recent weeks
— jamie hickling (@jamiehickling2) January 21, 2020
Will do a job for you lot. Wilder may get more out of him.
— Jamie (@JamieBriody) January 21, 2020
