5 Years of Jack Robinson at Sheffield United | OneFootball

A man of many names. Jacky Long Throw, Captain Jack and most simply, Jack Robinson. Today marks half a decade since the current captain became a Blade.

After mass turnover this summer, Robinson has become the longest-serving first-team member of the current Blades squad, a mark of his consistent reliability for United.

To celebrate this significant milestone, let’s look back on Robinson’s time at Sheffield United so far.

How it started

Originally, a Liverpool Academy graduate, Robinson made his name at QPR and Nottingham Forest. It would be Forest where the Blades would sign him from.

Robinson joined the Blades from Forest on a two and a half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Chris Wilder, speaking to club media about the signing, said: “Jack’s got a great pedigree and he will make our squad stronger.

“He isn’t just coming in to make the numbers up. It’s a specific position in our system and we feel he is the best option for us.”

Wilder also commented on Robinson’s “fantastic attitude”, which we would become familiar with over the following five years.

Robinson’s Blades debut came four days later. With the Blades beating Millwall in the FA Cup third round and Robinson entering the action on the 80th minute.

In his first season, Robinson played six Premier League games and three FA Cup games including a start in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal.

First Full Season

The 2020-2021 season wasn’t great for the Blades to say the least. Robinson’s first start in the Premier League that season was as a result of the career-ending injury sustained by Jack O’Connell. As a left-sided defender, Robinson had the unenviable task of replacing one of the best defenders in recent memory.

After three initial starts in O’Connell’s absence Robinson only made twelve appearances for the Blades battling with Ethan Ampadu and Enda Stevens for the LCB role.

One of the highlights of the abysmal season for Robinson was assisting Daniel Jebbison’s infamous goal against Everton.

Unfortunately, the Blades were relegated. With Robinson having to wait two more years for another go at the Premier League.

Back in the Championship

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Robinson was a beneficiary of the Blades’ relegation with his game time increasing significantly. He started Slavisa Jokanovic’s first game in charge in a defeat to Birmingham as a centre-back in a back four. In the next Championship game, Robinson showed his versatility starting as a left-back. He made five starts for Slavisa Jokanovic with his last start for Jokanovic being on 14 September 2021.

His playing time increased significantly under Paul Heckingbottom with Robinson finishing the Championship season with 26 starts and 29 total appearances. As well as two FA Cup matches and one appearance in the EFL Cup.

Robinson’s goal contributions included three goals and an assist. His three goals putting him among the top goalscoring defenders in the 2021/2022 Championship.

At the end of the season, Robinson and the Blades lost to Nottingham Forest in the playoffs. He later revealed that he expressed his love for the club to Paul Heckingbottom after the game.

Robinson, speaking to The Star, said: “At the time Hecky was talking about a new deal. I said I wanted to finish my career here having bought into the club.”

Getting the Blades back to the big time

After experiencing top flight relegation with the Blades this season Robinson would experience the fun part.

As a permanent part of the Blades’ back three of himself, John Egan and Anel Ahmedhodzic, Robinson made 25 starts in 27 appearances in the league. With rotation at the back involving competition from Chris Basham and Ciaran Clark.

Strangely, Robinson matched his goal contribution tally of 2021/2022 season scoring three and assisting once.

Robinson was also an integral starter in the FA Cup run. He started in each round, apart from the Wrexham game, but made up for it playing in the replay.

With the Blades securing promotion back to the Premier League, Robinson had a new contract to sign. On 5 July 2023, he signed a two-year deal.

Robinson, speaking to club media, said: “I really enjoy playing at Bramall Lane. I’m glad we have sorted my contract enabling me to concentrate on preparing for what is going to be an exciting season back in the top flight.”

Oh, Jack. If only your optimistic heart knew what was to come back in the top flight.

Back in the top flight

The season is 2023-2024. A sentence only made slightly easier to read by the current plight of Southampton. No matter what happens on the South Coast for the rest of this season. We know Saints. We know. After you let us have Brereton-Diaz back we’re here if you need to talk.

For Jack Robinson his third full season at the club saw his most appearances to date. With 31 Premier League starts in 34 games, Robinson had finally made the centre-back position his.

Surprisingly, with the Blades performing so poorly. Robinson had a good season statistically. He won 65.1% of his tackles and won 61% of his duels. With the tackling percentage putting him in the 72nd percentile, making him better than almost three-quarters of Premier League defenders at winning tackles. Although his tendency for a flying slide tackle, as much as they’re exciting to watch, saw him gain 10 yellow cards.

In a surely proud moment for Jack, he became Blades captain towards the end of the season. Additionally, he won The Sheffield Star’s Player of the Year award.

The Captain goes down with the ship

High profile exits of players who had become part of the furniture at Bramall Lane. As well as a number of young players signed saw Robinson become the most senior player the Blades had left in a thin squad.

This didn’t guarantee a starting place for him. With Harry Souttar and Anel Ahmedhodzic starting the season as one of the Championship’s best centre-back partnerships.

Although, on boxing day much like at the start of the 2020-2021, the Blades suffered a devastating blow. Harry Souttar suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon ending his time with the Blades. So, with a star centre-back out injured there was only one player to call. Jack Robinson.

Before this, Robinson was only called upon when the two starters couldn’t play. During their suspensions or Anel Ahmedhodzic’s early December absence. It appears he wasn’t intended to be this season’s main starter at the back but has coped brilliantly since returning to the backline. After a bumpy initial few games post-Souttar’s injury, Robinson and the Blades have now returned to winning ways.

So far he has started 14 of his 16 Championship appearances this season. His displays since his return mean that, Robinson will be important in another Premier League promotion push, regardless of new signings.

Takeaways

Jack Robinson’s time at United has seen him face all of the key parts of being a Blade. A promotion, two relegations, a playoff defeat, and finally the honour of becoming captain.

Despite starting at Liverpool, it’s fair to say that Jack Robinson has become an adopted Blade. Hopefully, we get to see a lot more Jack Robinson performances before he retires. As the day we no longer get to watch his long throws or flying slide tackles will be a sad one as a Blade.