Callum Robinson says West Brom have the perfect balance for promotion
Quality, experience, youth and a top manager – Callum Robinson believes Albion have all the characteristics needed to win promotion from the Championship.
The forward, who joined the club on loan from Sheffield United last month, has played a key role in the Baggies’ return to form with Robinson having impressed in the recent victories over Luton and Millwall.
A player who knows just how tough it is to win promotion to the Premier League, Robinson was part of the Preston North End teams that – in recent years – just fell short of finishing in the play-offs.
The Republic of Ireland international believes ultimately it was a lack of experience that cost the Lancashire side a place in the top six.
He believes Albion, though, have the big-game players needed to get over the line.
“There is a lot of experience in this squad, the lads all know their jobs,” Robinson said.
“We have got a lot of players who have played in big games and who have also won promotion before.
“That, for me, is so important.
“At Preston, I loved every minute of it, it was the best time for me to be there and I really enjoyed it.
“But I think sometimes we lacked that bit of experience, just small things in a game to see you over the line.
“I think we have got that here. But we have also got youth and quality as well. We’ve got it all.
“And you can see the manager has got a lot of experience.
“We have a different way of playing against every different team but he makes his instructions very clear.”
Robinson was a target for Albion back in July before his move to Bramall Lane.
They eventually got him last month – in a window during which head coach Slaven Bilic stressed the need to bring in players who understand the division.
That mindset also led to the arrivals of Kamil Grosicki and Lee Peltier.
And the Robinson can understand why the boss wanted players who have experience in English football’s second tier.
“For a manager they need that security,” he continued.
“They need players who know that Millwall away is a very different game to Luton at home.
“I did three seasons with Preston and I learned through all of that, the first season, the second season and then the third season was my best year.
“Slaven knew that when he signed me and I’ve just got to repay him. In the last two games, I’ve hopefully shown that I know the league and that I will do my best for him.”
Robinson is now expected to be part of the Albion side that takes on Reading tonight.
The former Villa man says he has found it easy settling into life at The Hawthorns with the 25-year-old having already struck up a close friendship with Filip Krovinovic.
And he revealed why – on his arrival at Albion – that he asked to wear the number 47 shirt.
“I always like to have a seven,” he said.
“I was 27 at Preston and 37. Then I finally got seven last summer, before I moved to Sheffield United.
“Seven was already taken there, but the club wanted to give me a low number, which was 11.
“When I came here there were numbers taken, but obviously with four and seven, put that together it makes 11 and I got my seven in there as well!
“I wanted to get my seven back when I came here but the kitman wasn’t happy!”
On his friendship with Krovinovic, Robinson added: “He’s funny”
“We have the same kind of character, same energy, a bit of banter and he’s doing really well at the moment. But all the lads and the staff have been great.
“It helps when you’re getting results. I’ve come in and we’ve got two wins. Hopefully, it continues and I’ll never have to see a sad face on in the training ground.”
