SOUTHAMPTON Football Club look like they have extracted another gem from their exceptional academy – Jay Robinson, who started Saints’ first game of the new season vs. Wrexham.
Long before May, the club were doomed for relegation. Plenty of the senior players had began their attempted disassociation from the ongoing mess, seeing youth players, who do hold a future at the club, increase game time.
By April, Simon Rusk took over as Interim manager for the club’s final seven games. Rusk, who was previously the U21s head coach, looked to give some of the academy players first-team debuts. Left-Winger Jay Robinson was was the first to be handed his debut, coming on for the last three minutes vs. Aston Villa. Rusk said after the game he has “high hopes” for the debuted youngster and further utilised him in a further three games over the next month, including rewarding him with his first start vs. Arsenal.
Since making his U21 debut at 15 years-old, Robinson’s progress would’ve been closely followed by first-team staff. His responsibility in an exciting side grew as he aged and matured, winning the teams’ player of the year award in his most recent season, recording ten goals and four assists, leading them to an impressive 7th place finish.
Will Still took over as first-team manager in the wake of of the 2024/25 season rightly kept Robinson around for pre-season. After playing only 135 mins for the season prior, the summer friendlies were his first chances to express his talent to the Southampton faithful. Robinson impressed in Saints’ first pre-season game vs. Eastleigh, setting up Cameron Archer for the winner in the 76th minute. The cameo, albeit against a non-league outfit, gave Still and the fans alike a glimpse of Robinson in the mens game. The move for Archer’s goal started in midfield, with Robinson eagerly expecting the ball to arrive at his feet on the left, shaping his body to receive it. Robinson played it inside to Kuruyu Matsuki in central-midfield, before darting centrally towards the penalty area, receiving the ball again before playing a delicately lobbed through ball to the goalscorer. Fast-forward to yesterday’s bout vs. Wrexham, a 40th minute penalty claim was waved away by referee James Bell following a threatening attack lead created by a drive infield and a one-two engineered by Robinson.
Dubbed by supporters as the ‘next Tyler Dibling’, Robinson shares many traits with the currently sidelined winger. Both like to receive the ball on their respective wing, dribble inside, eliminating opposition players from the game and drawing multiple men at towards them, creating space elsewhere. In his first meaningful action of the game vs. Wrexham, he picked up a loose ball and swiftly played in Wellington, who was on his bike. The left-back missed, but it easily could’ve been an early assist for the Championship debutant.
The skill to carry the ball on either-foot and take continuous touches with his weaker left-side is impressive, allowing him to be comfortable in central areas rather than limited to one wing. By half-time today, Robinson could’ve had an assist and a goal, his brilliant pass to Ryan Fraser wasn’t converted, furthermore, he missed a chance from inside the box on his left foot. After a quiet opening 30 minutes of his Championship season, Robinson grew into the game and had a considerably more amount of involvement. Firing six shots in total towards Danny Ward’s net, the teenager’s confidence is impressive. With Still’s team trailing 1-0 and unable to create anything clear-cut, he utilised all five substitution windows, but Robinson remained on the pitch until full-time, displaying a sign of trust from the manager.
Although a sizeable transfer fee will be received, the impending departure of Dibling is still going to hurt Saints fans. Robinson’s emergence not long after Dibling’s, though, will fill fans with pride that the club’s academy is still developing top talents.
At just 18 years-old, Robinson has fast-tracked himself into a being a valued member of a challenging second-division club. A full season in the Championship, something Dibling never felt the benefit of, will no-doubt be positive for Robinson. Still’s side will approach the large majority of games as the favourites, allowing for the teenager to have extended time on the ball, allowing for opportunities to make mistakes, experiment, and ease into games.
Southampton face Northampton Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before a trip to fellow relegated side Ipswich on the weekend.
