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Sask’s Opinion On Shotton

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Ryan Shotton was a surprise signing for many based on who we all speculated would turn up at St Andrews come what the end of the January transfer window.

The 27 year old who played a total of 48 times for Stoke City in the Premier League was loaned from his current club Derby County just a few days ago. The signing didn’t come as a surprise to me. Having made just 7 appearances for Derby this season, he is too good to just be sat on their bench. Whereas we need cover in the defensive zone.

Paul Caddis will always go down as a Blues’ hero thanks to that goal that I will never stop talking about; his equaliser against Bolton Wanderers just 2 seasons ago. But he is beginning to look a little bit jaded after we emerge from the hectic Christmas period. Also, for all Caddis’ strengths, I believe that sometimes his pace doesn’t allow him to get beyond the winger as much as I would like.

A lot of our goals come centrally now, whether that be through Toral or Donaldson, unless Maghoma cuts inside, and I would like to see us get more crosses into the box like we used to do when Cotterill was fully fit. Shotton is a very agile and pacey right back who would be willing to get forward but who also has the work rate and stamina to get back and defend. Sometimes with Grounds, Caddis and Robinson playing, we lack that little bit of energy needed to transition into an attack. Shotton could bring this.

It is also gives the centre backs something to think about because he does have the ability to slot in as a centre back. Robinson, Morrison and Spector are used to being rotated but now you add a strong contender into the mix, it can only help with training and extra competition. I rate Ryan as better as a wider player than a centre half though, but it will be a psychological factor for the other players.

I am very encouraged that we have signed such attacking players in this transfer window. Fabbrini we all know and love and he adds that extra dimension when attacking, more so than Shinnie who has left on loan himself. Shotton is a more attacking wide man than either Caddis or Grounds. I’m not sure that Shotton has ever played left back, but if he did, Grounds would be quaking in his boots! A terrific signing and I would hope that we can give him a permanent contract in the summer although this hasn’t been agreed with Derby County.

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