It was quite a whirlwind of a day for Boro defender Jack Robinson on Tuesday as he had his medical and first training session with his new club in the bag within just a few hours after he’d become the club’s first January window signing.
The 21-year-old is embarking on his second loan spell away from his parent club, having spent a season with Yeovil in the National League, and confirmed that it’s a challenge he’s looking forward to at this next level up.
Speaking first about how it came about, he explained: “It’s been a while in the making, I think I got the first phone call a couple of weeks ago about the move, and as soon as I heard about it I was excited to get going.
“At the start of the season I knew I wanted to try and get out on loan if I wasn’t going to be involved with the first team, so this is good.
“I wanted to get out and get some experience but it just didn’t happen in the summer. That’s why I’m really happy to get it sorted now.”
“Coming into a new club with a new set of lads is a little bit nerve wracking but the lads have been brilliant, and they’ve already made me feel really welcome,” he continued. “It’s been good to come in and get straight into a training session as well.
“The lads who have played a lot of games have been doing a recovery session, but I’ve trained with the rest of them and they’ve been brilliant with me. There’s some good players out there.
“I think the gaffer has been interested in me for a while, which is really good for my confidence. Paul Simpson is a big name and he’s seen me play then decided he wants to bring me here, so it gives me confidence to be able to go out there and do my stuff.”
The dreaded question – how do you describe yourself as a player?
“I like to get on the ball and make things happen, but first and foremost I want to keep clean sheets, that’s what I pride myself on,” he commented. “I’m aggressive and when I get the ball I like to play forward and create things.
“I’m versatile, I can play on the left of a three or at left back and hopefully the gaffer likes that. He told me that he wants me to work hard to try and get in the team.
“I know I need to train well and work hard for that to happen, but I’ll just come in and be confident to try and get in the team.
“The staff at Boro want me to come out and hopefully play some games to get some experience, then next season either get a chance at Boro or see what else can happen.
“The gaffer has spoken about me maybe coming back next season already which is great to hear. We’re obviously doing well in the league at the moment and the aim is to push for promotion. You never know what can happen in the future.
“Since I heard about the interest I’ve started keeping tabs on the results and things. I watched the Doncaster game the other day which was a tough game, but I’ve been looking at the table and the other results and it’s exciting.”
The season-long stay with the Glovers saw him make 18 appearances in green and white, shortly after appearing for the first time for his boyhood club in the Carabao Cup.
“My loan at Yeovil was good for me and definitely an experience I needed,” he told us. “I was playing games in the National League and this is obviously a step up, so I’m really excited about it.
“Both leagues are physical and that’s something I enjoy, that doesn’t worry me. The league position we’re in did make my decision even easier, it’s exciting to come in and potentially be a part of a promotion team, so why wouldn’t I come here.
“It’s good to get the loan done right at the start of January so I can just kick on now and get involved. I’ll settle in with the lads and I think it’s maybe a good thing that there’s a bit of a wait until the next game because it gives me a chance to really blend in and get to know everyone.
“By the time the game comes I’ll have been training for a couple of weeks and I’ll know everyone, so I think it’s a bit of a blessing from a selfish point of view.”
On that run-out against Blackpool in the Carabao, he said: “I’ve been a Boro fan all my life and had season tickets and things like that, so it was great to make my first team debut.
“It was nerve wracking but those sorts of experiences stand you in good stead for what’s to come. Hopefully I can use that experience and bring it into my loan here.
“This loan is just about me coming and gaining experience and getting my name out there. Carlisle are a big club who are doing well in the league so hopefully I can help them carry on.
“The lads in the team are obviously doing well so my first challenge is to get into the reckoning. I think you need that competition in the squad to push each other on. I’m excited to .
“I know the fans turn up in great numbers home and away so I just can’t wait to get on the pitch and meet them. I can’t wait to get going and it will be special when I do make my debut.”