Defensive Options

Yesterday the latest and possibly last signing of the summer was announced as defender Shane Lowry bolstered Gary Rowett`s defensive options as he signed up on a contract until the end of the season.
Lowry had his contract at League two side Leyton Orient terminated by default as a clause in his contract enabled the Australian born Englishman to join on a free transfer, this is due to his clubs relegation from the English third tier.

With the announcement of this signing, I look to evaluate our defensive options and assess whether the signing of the ex-Aston Villa defender can help bolster the current squad. Lowry was a regular in Leyton Orients side last year and will look to be a similar permanent fixture in the Blues squad.

With the much improved Jonathan Spector and Captain Michael Morrison partnering each other in the two central defender slots, Paul Caddis and Jonathan Grounds make up the back four which has so far been very solid. The addition of Lowry can only be a positive.

It looks as if Lowry will have to wait for his opportunity in the central defensive slots whilst the fact he can also occupy the left back slot will mean extra competition for forgotten left back Mitch Hancox. I feel that the signing of Lowry could potentially see the end of the young brummie. It`s likely that any injury to the likes of Grounds or a central defender, Lowry will slot straight in.

Consequently this will make Hancox`s life a lot harder, with his contract running out at the end of the season, I fear the worst for the young left back. Another man in this situation is right back Neil Eardley, the Welshman has impressed in the two games he`s featured in this season but will undoubtedly look for first team football, that of which he will struggle to get at St Andrews.

I do feel the addition of Lowry has improved us massively due to his ability to fill various positions. Weather the twenty six year old will be capable of performing week in week out in the English second tier is yet to be seen but a signing made by Gary Rowett is a signing to trust.

Can the signing of Lowry help continue the push for the play offs?

Let us know in the comments below?