CONFIRMED Callum Robinson joins West Brom on loan

[Houston_Blade]

Going to a club whose form is better than only the pigs, they'll be looking for an instant impact from him. I hope he can get them going again and come back a different player next season.

 

[bertieblade]

How far have we come ??
Let our £7 million then record signing leave on loan.
We used to let any player worth their salt leave on deadline day just to raise funds to keep us going.
Now we let one go just to give him game time, to hopefully come back with more confidence ready to boost the squad next season. No doubt monitored on a consistent basis and will no doubt be off loaded in the close season if he does not tick the relevant boxes

 

[AWetFlannel]

Shame for me, expected Wilder to spend more times on a player we spent so much bringing in.

Bilic will use him as a winger, given they already have Austin, Robson Kanu and Zohore to fill one spot upfront.

 

[LondonBlade89]

Shame for me, expected Wilder to spend more times on a player we spent so much bringing in.

Bilic will use him as a winger, given they already have Austin, Robson Kanu and Zohore to fill one spot upfront.

Alan Nixon has just tweeted "next target a wide man" for WBA. He has a lot of detractors everywhere, but he had the Robinson deal first. Implies to me that WBA will be playing him as a striker. Also aligns with Akin's first post, which was clearly on the money.

I'm all for this. The first half of the season shows Robinson isn't quite there yet, for whatever reason. He was only going to sit on our bench for the rest of the season. Far better to be out there playing games. I don't think Wilder's written him off at all. I actually reckon he's hoping it's going to help him find/re-discover his mojo, which he's shown in the past and which we saw a bit of during pre-season.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Think those blue and white stripes suit him. He should have been a butcher or worked at Tesco. Don’t think he’s a Premier league footballer.

 

[Kanye]

Shame for me, expected Wilder to spend more times on a player we spent so much bringing in.

You think Wilder has written him off?

 

[Scarebus]

You think Wilder has written him off?

No, I think wilder wants player development without risking our premier league status. We needed Robbo to step up another level and he's not managed it yet. Read both were keen on the move,so hopefully shows some ambition from Callum to improve as well.

 

[Booker4]

Whilst I agree he hasn't done much to impress this season, it's unfair to write the guy off when he's had so few opportunities.

On this basis Lundstram would have been waved goodbye a year ago and nobody would have complained, just made exactly the same comments they're making about Robinson now.

It's a bit Clough-esque (Brian, I mean).

I think he's started 10 times this season in the PL? Then there's the 7 sub appearances and two starts in the FA cup. He's impressed at times, but as a comparison, McBurnie has improved as the season has gone on whereas Robinson's looked worse as the season has progressed. I'm not so sure that our system is the best for him, since he's played as a winger for much of his career although I don't see a natural winger there either, maybe more of a forward who drifts out wide which is generally occupied by the wing backs or the overlapping centre halves. He'd possibly suit a wide position in a 4-3-3 more.

I hope he does really well though and if United do decide to sell this summer than we'll be more likely to be able to sell him for a similar price that we bought him for. Or he comes back into the fold for next season, but I would imagine we'll be strengthening this summer and he could well find himself on the periphery again.

 

[AWetFlannel]

You think Wilder has written him off?

He has in that he's loaned him out. If he doesn't fit now, he's unlikely to get in after another summer transfer window.

 

[5tannington Blade]

Living proof that you shouldn't get excited by someone based on a couple of screamers and decent performances pre-season. I genuinely thought he would do the best out of 3 forward signings (McBurnie/Mousset/Robinson) and unfortunately that wasn't the case. Also feel like he had a decent run of games at the start of the season to find his form but he just looks to be playing within himself

 

[jt64]

As long as Bilic doesn't use him as the boiler this seems like a good move for all concerned

 

[Stretch]

GLTTL.

Hope he enjoys it, gets a few goals and comes back to us brimming with confidence.

I think he still has a part to play going forward.

 

[Kanye]

He has in that he's loaned him out. If he doesn't fit now, he's unlikely to get in after another summer transfer window.

I think the fact that it's a loan, rather than a transfer, is the first indication that he hasn't completely written him off.

There is the possibility that he has been made available for transfer, but the only offer(s) we had was for a loan - in that scenario, you'd think we'd at least wait until deadline day, in the hope someone wants him on a permanent deal.

I think the most logical explanation is the current party line: it suits all parties. All things being well, Robinson gets games, West Brom get a striker to get them up, and we get him back with restored confidence and sharpness in the summer.

 

[metalblade]

Good luck to him he needs game time now he could come back a better player yet ⚔ ⚔⚔

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

Head's gone. We know he's not good enough, he knows he's not good enough. Expect to see him work his way down the pyramid.
I mean that in the nicest possible way. Sometimes players just lose it, especially after a significant injury.

 

[Th!stledo]

I think the fact that it's a loan, rather than a transfer, is the first indication that he hasn't completely written him off.

There is the possibility that he has been made available for transfer, but the only offer(s) we had was for a loan - in that scenario, you'd think we'd at least wait until deadline day, in the hope someone wants him on a permanent deal.

I think the most logical explanation is the current party line: it suits all parties. All things being well, Robinson gets games, West Brom get a striker to get them up, and we get him back with restored confidence and sharpness in the summer.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's loan at Northamton certainly did his career no harm.

 

[Stevo]

It's a win/win. If plays well and is pivotal to west brom going up they will probably want to sign him and we will get our money back at least, if we keep him then he has been conditioned by west brom and we see what he has got net season

 

[DerbyStar]

Head's gone. We know he's not good enough, he knows he's not good enough. Expect to see him work his way down the pyramid.
I mean that in the nicest possible way. Sometimes players just lose it, especially after a significant injury.

That's quite a reach

 

[Deadbat]

I might be on my own when many fans have said they see a player in him. I don't. At this level at least.

You have to want to bust a gut, show desire and sometimes just run around a lot. Ability wise I am not sure how much he has got because he simply does not see enough of the ball or impose himself. He lacks pace and aggression for me and with him not being that physical as a striker, if he is not scoring goals or a running outlet/hold up player, you have to be something else - eg McGoldrick bringing people into play.

I am not sure what he is. Maybe a winger, maybe he would be better in a three on the side but for me a goal and assist at Chelsea when he played well in one half; he has been largely ineffectual (yes he put two crosses into the box v Man U and Arsenal of course) but too many games have just drifted by him.

Seems a really nice lad and not one to upset the camp but Saturday I saw him basically amble about again when he really needed to put a shift in (close down, chase loose balls, make first/second balls yours) against inferior opposition and it never really happened.

I am quite shocked that people see masses of potential in him. I don't. Maybe he get a run of games at West Brom and scores a fair few and then comes back with a pre season a different player but I don't see it. I hope I am wrong as 7 million is a lot to give up (we may recoup half of that maybe if he moves on). My feeling is he will struggle even to be a regular at West Brom and then his value lowers even more. But think Wilder had made the right move.

We have kind of gone up a notch quicker than we thought in terms of how we have done at this level and like when we have moved others on Jake Wright, Stearman; I see this has the same just that it happened very quickly. I feel a bit sorry for the lad. Its not his fault we have just gone further and done better than we expected and now want better players.

Think his replacement if it is the lad Zivkovic, will be a temporary punt as no doubt McBurnie, McGoldrick, Mousset and Sharp will be rotated till the end of the season and then I think Wilder will look to upgrade/get younger bodies in to supplement McBurnie and Mousset. I expect McGoldrick here another season but think we may see Billy move on and sign 2 more new signings in the summer hopefully with pace/movement/power - a Mitrovic type would be fantastic - not necessarily him!

 

[DronnieBlade]

I hold out some hope, for his future at UTD.

But to get loaned out after a few short months in to a brand new long term contract does not auger well !

UTB

 

[Hamburg Blade]

I might be on my own when many fans have said they see a player in him. I don't. At this level at least.

You have to want to bust a gut, show desire and sometimes just run around a lot. Ability wise I am not sure how much he has got because he simply does not see enough of the ball or impose himself. He lacks pace and aggression for me and with him not being that physical as a striker, if he is not scoring goals or a running outlet/hold up player, you have to be something else - eg McGoldrick bringing people into play.

I am not sure what he is. Maybe a winger, maybe he would be better in a three on the side but for me a goal and assist at Chelsea when he played well in one half; he has been largely ineffectual (yes he put two crosses into the box v Man U and Arsenal of course) but too many games have just drifted by him.

Seems a really nice lad and not one to upset the camp but Saturday I saw him basically amble about again when he really needed to put a shift in (close down, chase loose balls, make first/second balls yours) against inferior opposition and it never really happened.

I am quite shocked that people see masses of potential in him. I don't. Maybe he get a run of games at West Brom and scores a fair few and then comes back with a pre season a different player but I don't see it. I hope I am wrong as 7 million is a lot to give up (we may recoup half of that maybe if he moves on). My feeling is he will struggle even to be a regular at West Brom and then his value lowers even more. But think Wilder had made the right move.

We have kind of gone up a notch quicker than we thought in terms of how we have done at this level and like when we have moved others on Jake Wright, Stearman; I see this has the same just that it happened very quickly. I feel a bit sorry for the lad. Its not his fault we have just gone further and done better than we expected and now want better players.

Think his replacement if it is the lad Zivkovic, will be a temporary punt as no doubt McBurnie, McGoldrick, Mousset and Sharp will be rotated till the end of the season and then I think Wilder will look to upgrade/get younger bodies in to supplement McBurnie and Mousset. I expect McGoldrick here another season but think we may see Billy move on and sign 2 more new signings in the summer hopefully with pace/movement/power - a Mitrovic type would be fantastic - not necessarily him!

I agree, I just don't think he's good enough and I don't see a spell at Brom doing much to change that. Wilder has given him plenty of opportunity and if he comes back after his loan he may get another chance, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if we don't see him in a Blades shirt again.

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

That's quite a reach around

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Seems a shadow of the player he was at PNE. Not good enough for us at the moment and seems to have lost his pace. Whether he will improve whilst on loan at WBA, time will tell.

I see in his twitter post today - the first since his move - he didn’t even mention us, which is a bit poor.

 

[Pittsburg Blade]

does not auger well !

UTB

In fact he’s just digging a hole for himself

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Why bother replacing him this January ....wait for the better deals in the summer ...

We only need six points to guarantee our position in he top flight for next year ..and Clarke ( on lot less wages ) ..can do the job that Robinson has done ..I.e bit player ..

Yeah...let's just chill out and not sign anyone. We're o.k. Plenty of time to get another 6 points - no rush. Doesn't matter if we lose all but 2 of our remaining games. There'll be better players available in summer, let's just sit back and do nothing till then.

Have you thought of going into management btw? If so, I wouldn't.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I really wouldn't be upset if Clarke took the 5th choice spot as per the suggestion above - it's a role that'll get 5 or 10 minutes every other game so it isn't that important. If it means us bringing in others elsewhere then that's fine by me.

Clarke comes on as a sub v Millwall and all of a sudden he's back in our thoughts.

Here's my thoughts on Clarke...

He's not Prem quality or anywhere near it and he should be offloaded as soon as possible because he's just a drain on the wage bill.

A little harsh maybe, but accurate.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I don't understand the sentiment of getting rid of Robinson at all. He is young, finding his feet at a higher level in an unfamiliar position. He clearly has talent, he is a good age, I see him as a perfect 1st team squad member who we can improve. Unless we need cash now to invest in better then I would much prefer him to stay and deveklop with us. Seems this is unlikely

I can help you with that.

Your argument is we should hold onto him because of this obvious talent that he's got - and nurture it to give us a Prem striker later on. Fair enough, but...

The problem is, once again, the club is advancing quicker than some of the players within it. Few, if any, of us expected to be challenging for a place in Europe this year! But that's where we are at. And this becomes a game of strategy now.

Do we stick or twist?

In other words, do we keep the squad together, knowing that these lads got us this far and won't let us down, and expect that we'll consolidate our position in the Prem, even if it does mean dropping down to mid-table? Nothing wrong with that approach at all. It would still be a great achievement.

Or

Do we take a different view and think this is the best opportunity this football club has had of getting into Europe in the last 50 years - so we are going to absolutely go for it NOW?

My view is that the club are taking the second approach. We are absolutely going for it now. And personally I think that's the correct decision. My philosophy is, when an opportunity arises - grasp it. It may never come round again.

Unfortunately for some players, this will have consequences. Because not all of those who got us to where we are will get us to the next stage of where we want to be. And we have to be ruthless I'm afraid - I know that isn't nice - but if we are going all out to achieve a much higher level than we thought back in the summer - then we have to quickly get the players into the club that will help us do that - and we have to be prepared to jettison the ones who aren't - to make way for them.

Robinson seems a smashing lad, but he's had more chance to impress than any other striker at the club and he's not taken it. Could he come good in the future? Maybe, who knows? But all of a sudden, that's not the game we are playing anymore. And Robinson may be the first, but he won't be the last, casualty of this sea change in outlook of our club.

 

[Wards]

Clarke comes on as a sub v Millwall and all of a sudden he's back in our thoughts.

Here's my thoughts on Clarke...

He's not Prem quality or anywhere near it and he should be offloaded as soon as possible because he's just a drain on the wage bill.

A little harsh maybe, but accurate.

Right now I'd say he'd be just as good an impact sub. We know Clarke isn't good enough for anything other than a very minor role but for 5-10 mins to see out a game if we needed him to? I'd say he'd do a job - one that Robinson has failed to do so far (but may come good should he find his feet again).

 

[bromtom]

Just because Clarkey is as effective as Robinson, doesn't mean either are good enough to be strikers in the Premier League.

They're both a ways off. Though Clarke at least is cheaper and is a great finisher if he gets in a position to score, but those chances aren't going to come very often.

Hopefully Robinson gets finds his goalscoring boots and his pace at WBA.

 

[LoughboroBlade]