Opinion: How Rhoys Rolls

Rhoys Wiggins may be an unfamiliar name to many Blues fans. The left back who signed on loan from Bournemouth yesterday has previously represented Charlton Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday.

His latest move to Bournemouth back in January was the fourth time he had signed for the Cherries. After making just nine appearances for Wednesday, Eddie Howe took him back to Dean Court. However, he is yet to appear for Bournemouth this time round as they establish themselves as a Premier League club.

The 28 year-old was a good servant to Charlton clocking up 124 appearances over four seasons. As a traditional type of full back, Blues fans should take to him well.

But his first challenge is to unseat Jonathan Grounds from the left back berth. Grounds, who has been trustworthy if unspectacular for Blues, had arguably his best game in a Blues shirt in the 3-0 win against Norwich last weekend.

Grounds` performance came at a key time for him. Perhaps he had been keeping one eye on transfer developments. Perhaps he knew he was about to be thrown some serious competition.

Make no mistake about it though, Wiggins is a decent Championship player. Despite the move only being a temporary one, it`s a sign of Blues` transition. Before Wiggins, Grounds` only competition was Mitch Hancox before he left the club in the summer. Hancox was an honest, hardworking, player – and probably benefited from being a local lad – but was never going to be a top Championship player.

Wiggins, with his marauding runs and tough tackling, will be seen as a step up. He`s been a victim of Bournemouth`s success in a way, finding his game time limited.

With both Wiggins and Lukas Jutkiewicz both signing on loan until January – despite Gary Rowett having the funds to finance their loan deals until the seasons end – the talk turned to the takeover and the potential money at Rowett`s disposal in the next transfer window.

But let`s not get ahead of ourselves here. The temporary nature of both loan moves makes the deals very low risk for Blues. If they don`t work out, thank them and wave goodbye in January. If both players prove to be assets, extend their loans until May at which point Rowett can check on their permanent availability, if he so wishes.

Blues fans should be happy with both deals and the competition it adds to the squad.