Are Blues capable of being in the promotion mix this season?
Jack Robinson believes so.
In fact the experienced defender feels the squad is ‘more than capable’ of getting out of the Championship.
They are bold words from Robinson, but it’s not as if he hasn’t been there, done that.
He won promotion with Sheffield United in 2023 and last season was the Blades captain as they reached the Play-Off Final and were 14 minutes away from the Premier League until Sunderland stunned them.
“It’s easy a top six squad,” said Robinson, when asked about Blues credentials by Radio WM’s Richard Wilford in the wake of the 1-0 victory over Swansea City.
“I suppose it is down to us, the players, to prove that.
“You have just got to be consistent throughout the league.
“It is a really tough, tough ask when the international break stops in November, and (after) the season gets at it’s hardest. That’s when you need to pick up those wins and be consistent. Be good away from home and be nice and solid at home.
“This squad has got more than enough to go up this season.”
A year ago, Krystian Bielik caused a stir when he quite openly stated Blues were too good for League One. It was typically blunt and entertaining from Bielik. He was, of course, proven correct.
Similarly, this is not bombast from Robinson nor is he saying Blues will go up. But it is born out of a firm conviction – and from someone who knows what it takes.
Manager Chris Davies has recruited several experienced players to assist Blues in the top-flight quest, 32-year-old Robinson among them.
And his calm assurance and defensive capabilities were there for all to see when he made his Blues debut against the Swans.
Robinson’s selection wasn’t predicted, but Davies installed him to bring balance to the backline and it allowed Christoph Klarer to move to his preferred right-side centre-half spot.
“I wasn’t expecting a start, to be honest. It was quite a surprise. A nice surprise, and I was able to go in and we got the three points, with a clean sheet.”
Davies is still adjusting to life at Blues since the deadline day switch from Sheffield United.
“It’s been good. Training has been tough. It’s different. Five-and-a-half years at Sheffield United was a long time.
“It’s been different, but the lads have made me feel really welcome here. I’m really happy to be here.”
Robinson feels he and Klarer dovetail well. And he knows that he will have to maintain a high level of performance due to the competition in the squad. Phil Neumann – who dropped to the bench – arrived as a much-vaunted capture this summer.
Joked Robinson: “He’s a big friendly giant! He’s been really good with me since I’ve come.
“I think he respects my experience as well, so we were always talking to each other (in the game).
“It showed that we communicate well together and we defended well together so hopefully it’s a good partnership going forward.”
Davies is happy with what he got from Robinson, a player he used to coach when at Liverpool.
“I thought Jack was excellent.
“It’s not easy to come in when you haven’t been in a rhythm of games.
“He used his experience to help him through that challenge.
“Left-footed, it gives us a nice balance. He won his headers. Good on the ball. Playing through passes with his left foot, or diagonal balls.
“I know Jack pretty well and I though it was a typical Jack Robinson performance.”
