Young central defender Joe Robinson’s hard work and good attitude were rewarded when he was included amongst the senior side's subs for the first time for the recent 3-0 win at Charlton, according to manager Mick McCarthy.

Haverhill-born Robinson, who joined the academy as a schoolboy in 2008 and started as a full-time scholar in 2012, skippers the U21s and impressed McCarthy enough to be handed a one-year pro deal in the summer.

“Robbo’s one of those that got a contract because of his attitude and the way he goes about his job and his professionalism,” the Blues boss said.

“Did I ever think he was going play in the first team this year? No, and I’ve said this to him, I wouldn’t say anything to you guys I haven’t said to him.

“Did I think he’d be on the bench? No, but I thought he’d be brilliant for the U21s. He’s only just 19, Joe. He’s one of the younger ones and his attitude is just brilliant and he’s stuck at it and he’s just got better and better and better.

“Every game in the U21s he’s a seven out of 10, might never be a nine out of 10 but you get that consistent performance, he’s a consistent personality all the time.

“He trains well every day, so he deserved to be there. All right, so I was short of numbers because I’d lost Kevin Bru and Larsen Touré and I could have put Adam McDonnell on the bench or Myles Kenlock, but I put Joe on it because he deserved to be on it because for the way he’s been and trained every day. He’s great.”

McCarthy says Robinson, who can also play at left-back, breaking in the first-team squad will remind the other young players that he’s keeping a close eye on their progress.

“And it’s a lesson to all the other youngsters,” he added. “If they think I’m not watching training or I’m not aware of what’s going on then they’re much mistaken.”

Photo: Action Images

therein61 added 06:48 - Dec 8 He Would have had a debut by now under Sir Bobby who blooded Burley, Beattie, Wark and several others as youngsters it didn't do them or the club any harm!!!!!
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BotesdaleBlue added 07:11 - Dec 8 therein61 - no disrespect to young Joe, but the players you mention were something very special indeed in terms of their talent. That may have had something to do with it. Anyway, I wish Joe all the best and hope to see him in a first team shirt for Town further down the line.
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rfretwell added 08:02 - Dec 8 The Beat very nearly was snapped up by Liverpool.They cocked up meeting him and Sir Bobby nipped in. If Robinson has half Beatties strength and power and ability we will have a good 'un.
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BLUEBEAT added 09:10 - Dec 8 So McCarthy's benchmark is 7/10. That explains a few things.
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Daleyitfc added 09:35 - Dec 8 By age 19 if he's not good enough for this level he never will be : give him a game in the team or get rid. We need to get the youngsters into the team at 17/18 if they are to have any chance of making it, but McCarthy wants everyone to be over 30 with 500 games behind them before he'll consider them. Dinosaur.
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Pilgrimblue added 09:48 - Dec 8 Just putting them in the squad isn't good enough. He should have had 10/20 mins playing by now but even though current CBs haven't managed 7/10 in some games he still wont move them out! MM youth policy is not good enough as so many he has signed don't even figure whereas Charlton were prepared to try 18 yearold. Sadly Joe wont see first team while MM is here so expect him to move on

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alfromcol added 10:07 - Dec 8 Hi Phil Does this "putting young players on the bench" have any bearing or help to get Cat 1 Academy status? Just wondered!
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muccletonjoe added 10:16 - Dec 8 My main gripe with mm is his reluctance to give youth a chance. I can't see what was wrong with giving the lad 20 mind if the team is 3 - 0 up. Does he not trust his players?
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jas0999 added 11:59 - Dec 8 No issue with youngsters getting a chance, but the reason he was on the bench is due to us having no other options.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 12:06 - Dec 8 What worries me is the gap between the youngsters being taken on and 1st team opportunities and the performance of the U21s. Recently only Bishop and Mings are the teenagers who pushed on. Good to see Crowe, Emmanuel, Yorwerth etc go out on loan. But what about Connell, Connolly and others who were supposed to be the next big thing? But the production line is not good enough at the moment and we need this to work as we cannot compete in the transfer market. Big Mick's bugging up of a 7/10 youngster and a 34 year old grafter smacks of spin and straw-clutching.

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Currie10 added 14:25 - Dec 8 " We need to get the youngsters into the team at 17/18 if they are to have any chance of making it, " Perhaps the most idiotic comment I've read in a long time - we have around 20 plus players aged 17/18 - so what do we do, give every single one of them a chance over the course of the season in the first team and they have a crap debut release them!? What do we do about the rest of their contract for the season, just pay it up and release them. How would we play the U21 fixtures!? :)

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Dissblue added 16:18 - Dec 8 I bet he plays against Portsmouth.
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Seasider added 16:19 - Dec 8 Don't seem to be doing too well with under 21 fixtures at present Currie10,see previous report,where we lost again and are bottom of the league,even with Robinson capt. I read not so long ago the club saying,think it was Milne,that the aim was to get 50% of team from the youth ranks eventually;so think it is perfectly fair of above supporters to raise this point,especially as currently there are no young players in the side apart from Maitland-Niles who isn't our player. I don't think Daleyitfc or anybody else was saying that everyone in that category should get a game,just some as has happened in the past. I notice that Mick has bigged up many players in the past who are not in the first team,a lot of them youngsters;but most don't make the grade.Dont know how players that don't get a mention(or a game)like Jonny Parr must feel though.

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Ipswichbusiness added 17:40 - Dec 8 I'd love to see a few more of the youngsters coming through, but I fear that Mr McCarthy is just a little too cautious in this regard. Insofar as the comments about a previous generation of players is concerned, I was watching the 1978 Cup final again on YouTube recently; the way that that day Allan Hunter put Malcolm MacDonald in his pocket and kept him there is a lesson for all young centre-backs.

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bluechill added 06:06 - Dec 9 Legend has it that Big Al thoroughly 'convinced' Malcolm Macdonald in the players tunnel that he was going to break at least one of his legs as soon at the earliest opportunity.... Poor Malcolm was so convinced he kept well out of the way of big al all game! If memory serves, he only had one long range shot all game😏. I think I ll watch it again to make sure...
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Pilgrimblue added 13:32 - Dec 9 Previous managers have given youth a chance and the Club has benefited. Beatty Dyer etc weren't much better than we have now at same stage but they proved that they could make it. We're not going anywhere this season so apart from the odd one that might show in FA Cup MM must see who is ready in the league. Last game Coke was a joke when we already losing but then MM's subs have been very confusing!!

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