Planet Swans ArchivesRobbo will return to the Liberty next summer if Leeds are triumphant over Doncaster at Wembley this afternoon in the League One play off final. And with feelings running high over the manner of his defection to Leeds then it is sure to create at the moment a boiling atmosphere for the return.
Robinson signed for the Elland Road outfit earlier this week after the Swans refused to match his wage demands – a figure the News of the World claims is £8,000 per week. The club suggested that he had asked until after the play off final to make his decision – a statement denied by the player who claimed that he signed for Leeds last Monday and told Roberto straight away.
Fans have reacted angrily to the move with Robinson labelled by some a "judas" amongst other things for his decision to move although many have pointed out it was the manner of the move rather than the decision itself that caused the backlash.
But the Swansea chairman believes the fans should welcome him back after Robinson gave five good years for the cause. Speaking in today's News of the World, Jenkins said "I think the fans should give Andy a nice welcome if he comes back to the Liberty Stadium. I like to see the crowd show it's appreciation to former players and management who were committed to Swansea City.
"Andy performed well for this club. For five years he was a big player for us. If he comes back to the Liberty, I'm sure he will get a good reception.
"He was a great player for Swansea. The people who disagree with what he's done in the last week shouldn't forget that. The crowd loved him. He developed into a real character and personality at the club.
"We can't hold a grudge because Andy made a decision that didn't suit us. He was well within his rights to do it there are no hard feelings. I'm very disappointed we've lost Andy because he's a player we've brought on.
"But we've got to push ahead and replace him. That won't be easy. He was entitled to ask what he was asking but we've seen a lot of clubs at this level spend more than they can afford and we don't want to go down that road.
"You'd have to ask Andy his reasons for leaving. We opened talks with him and his agent in October so negotiations had been dragging on for a long time. We could have sold him before his contract expired but we felt we had a better chance of getting promotion with him.
"That was more important than getting £200,000 or £300,000. He's gone on a free transfer but I firmly believe we made the right decision. I'm sad to see Andy go because Roberto would have made him an even better player next season. I'm disappointed we won't see that and I'm disappointed Andy himself won't see it. In my view, Roberto was the perfect man to develop Andy's career even further."
