RUFC - Robins/Barnsley - deal not quite done

Rotherham United Manager, Mark Robins (and, up to date he still is our manager) has got a couple of loose ends to tie up before he takes charge of Barnsley. One is his wages and the other is the number of backroom staff he wants to take with him.

Simon Davey and Barnsley parted on Saturday evening after another loss and straight away Robins became the 'wanted one'. At this stage, Millers fans weren't too worried as he had been linked with various other clubs and Chairman, Tony Stewart was adamant that Robins was going nowhere. So, what happened we have to wonder? Why, all of a sudden, when Barnsley came a-calling did Mr Stewart say, 'yes, they could approach Robins'? Was it because Mr Stewart was so confident that his manager wouldn't leave? Even after Robins had had talks with the directors at Oakwell, much to the fans amazement and, in a lot of cases, disgust, Mr Stewart was still under the illusion that Robins wouldn't go, 'he had a job to finish here'. What conversation Robins and Mr Stewart had, we will probably never know, but it is evident that Robins wanted to talk to Barnsley's holidaying owner, Patrick Cryne, who returns today and Mr Stewart then put him on 'gardening leave'.

Speaking to The Advertiser, Tony Stewart says, 'Mark Robins has confirmed that his talks with Barnsley are not yet concluded and, as such, whilst he remains our manager, it has been agreed that he will take a period of gardening leave until the matter is resolved.'

Personally speaking I can't see that there is a way back for Mark Robins with Rotherham United. I also think Tony Stewart was a little naive thinking that talking to Barnsley would, perhaps, get it 'out of Robins system'. This is Tony Stewart's first dealings with football and I think he now realises that no footballer is loyal - it's all about 'me, me, me'.

The biggest worry for Mr Stewart, at the moment, is who will go with Robins. Losing your manager is one thing, losing your complete backroom staff is another. In my opinion, he has to move hell and high water to keep John Breckin and Simon Tracey, the goalkeeping coach.

Mark Robins doesn't have a future with Rotherham United now. I think it's impossible for him to come back - on this one, Mr Stewart, you need to listen to your fans.

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