Exclusive: How Don Goodman has reacted to Birmingham City, Sheffield United transfer news - shock twist played down | OneFootball

Sky Sports' Don Goodman spoke exclusively to Football League World on reports linking Birmingham City's Jack Robinson with a Sheffield United return

Sky Sports pundit and EFL expert Don Goodman has reacted to the shock speculation linking Birmingham City's Jack Robinson with a swift return to Sheffield United following his summer exit from Bramall Lane, which has since been played down.

Robinson established himself as a stalwart within the red-and-white quarters of the Steel City, totalling 162 appearances over five-and-a-half seasons and helping the Blades gain promotion back to the Premier League in the 2022/23 campaign.

The former QPR and Nottingham Forest defender was a central part of the United side which made it all the way to last season's Championship play-off final before losing out to Sunderland in last-grasp fashion under Chris Wilder, who was sacked before being re-appointed after a disastrous start to the campaign under Ruben Selles, with Robinson featuring on 38 occasions in league action.

Selles, however, sought to move Robinson on, and the 32-year-old completed a deadline-day switch to Birmingham. Robinson has endured a difficult introduction to life in the Second City, having only made four appearances to date for Chris Davies' side.

Disastrously, Robinson has been sent off in two of his four outings for Blues, seeing red in defeats to Coventry City and Hull that came less than a month apart. He hasn't featured since his dismissal in the chaotic 3-2 home defeat against the Tigers in October, with Phil Neumann locking down his place alongside captain Christoph Klarer in a Birmingham side which has been resurgent in recent times.

Robinson's time at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park isn't going to plan, which has prompted talk of a potential exit.

Earlier this week, Football Insider reported that Wilder's United were eyeing a January loan reunion with the central defender, although those reports were swiftly played down as The Star clarified that, as present, there is no interest in Robinson's services at Bramall Lane.

Don Goodman reacts to shock Sheffield United, Birmingham City transfer talk involving Jack Robinson - transfer truth is no surprise

Speaking exclusively to Football League World prior to the dismissal of reports linking Robinson with a return to Sheffield United, EFL expert Don Goodman outlined his shock at such talk — meaning the clarified stance will come as no surprise to the Sky Sports pundit.

Goodman highlighted the litany of defensive options at Wilder's disposal, which pushed Robinson down the pecking order under Selles and ultimately resulted in his departure, and he also questioned whether Blues would be willing to sanction an exit so soon after his arrival.

"I've got to be honest, that would be a huge surprise to me." Goodman explained to FLW.

"Robinson has been a very solid and reliable Championship defender for many years now.

"I think he was allowed to leave Sheffield United for a reason. I think that they have decent central defensive options and would Birmingham allow him to leave so soon after he arrived?

"So, all in all, I would be surprised if that mooted rumour came to fruition."

Birmingham City may have Jack Robinson, Sheffield United transfer regret

Birmingham's ambitious summer business is beginning to pay dividends, with the likes of Tommy Doyle, Marvin Ducksch, Demarai Gray beginning to find form as of late amid the side's upturn in fortunes.

Blues, in truth, have gotten very little wrong in the way of transfers over the last year or so, with their lavish — though mightily-impressive — recruitment spree in the summer of 2024 firing them back up to the Championship in record-breaking style and laying the foundations for success in the current campaign and beyond.

The signing of Robinson, however, appeared a questionable one at the time considering the strength of City's defensive options, and it's quickly representing a rare misstep for a club who have gotten so much right in recent times.