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Lowry signs
Birmingham City have today announced the capture of free agent Shane Lowry following his release from Leyton Orient. The Australian defender played 40 games for the O’s last season but couldn’t prevent their relegation to League 2.
26-year-old Lowry started his professional career in England with the mob across the expressway but only managed three first team appearances with none of them coming the Premier League. He spent spells on loan with Plymouth, Leeds United, Sheffield United and Millwall before converting the move to Millwall into a permanent one in January 2012.
As signings go, this one raises more questions than it answers in my opinion. Lowry played twice for Blues as a trialist in pre-season, scoring against Kidderminster but was not offered a contract and he returned to East London, only securing his release from Leyton Orient on August 28.
Only last week Rowett told bcfc.com that he had learned from past mistakes in bringing a player in for the sake of it, talking about trying to “…find a player who can make our team massively better” but I can’t see how Shane Lowry fits that criteria. I’m personally loathe to criticise a player before I’ve seen him play and as such I’m not going to – but surely if he is good enough Rowett could have signed him back in July? The only thing I can think was that there may have been complications surrounding Lowry’s release from Orient which meant he couldn’t leave until the end of August.
It then begs the question if this is the sum of Blues business looking for a centre-back. If it isn’t – and I hope it’s not – then that’s fine, it’s cover until we can bring in someone who will improve the team, fair enough. It could be that Lowry is thought of as cover for Jonathan Grounds at left-back as well as centre-half, allowing Mitch Hancox to get first team football away from the club.
However I’m sure there are people out there without my faith and optimism in the club who will be sure that this is another sign that either a) there is no more money for players, or b) even if there is money, that the club aren’t able to do the deal to bring someone in.
As you can tell, from a personal perspective I’m not overwhelmed with this one but as I’ve been reminded many times on Twitter – Rowett has shown he can work his magic with other players so there is no reason he can’t do it again.
Tags: Shane Lowry
103 Responses to “Lowry signs”
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I guess we’ll have to wait until GR’s interview on the matter to see if there are any more clues. Personally I know nothing about the guy so can’t comment on the signing.
I suspect, as you suggest, that this signing is more for the cover of Grounds at left back and hope that we can still expect another signing of a big, strong, left sided, central defender. I live in hope.
It is only a yearly contract for this 26-year old, so I would assume Gary Rowett has other options in his mind. Look at Nicolai Brock-Madsen who got a four year.
I think he can serve as back-up but we need to get someone on loan from the Premier League.
Personally I think he’s a great artist
Ye his matchstalk men are legengary!!!!
Unbelievably negative article about a bloke who has clearly been brought in as cover.
Unbelieveable commment by a guy who hates the site but can’t stop reading it… ;)
Well I for one hope he is just cover, its not being negative, his recent cv does not inspire confidence, I share Dan’s concern I was hoping for a higher class of player than this.
We are desperate for a centre back surely the funds can be found, what happened to the majority of the 13 mill we were promised for team strengthening?.
we weren’t promised any money for team strengthening the money was for BIHL.
No as I understood it the majority of the 13 mil (thats at least7mil) was to spend on the team.
I saw him play at Kiddy without knowing who he was. He looked like he could do a job for us being strong in the air, using his size well. I have enough faith in our coaching staff to get the best out of him….so who knows? Got to be worth a punt.
I completely agree with you.
He might be another gem like Morrison.
It’s not negative op is saying what probably most blues fans are saying why have we bought him in hopefully it’s just an extra player IMO we need a more powerful central defender with a bit more expierience in this league. If Gary Rowett has bought him in for the central defender role then we must still be in a bad state money wise and I can only see Rowettutting up with this for so long before he gets fed up with being held back by our finance problems.
I trust in rowett so I’ve every confidence he will get the best out of Lowry like he has with most of the other players he’s brought in or inherited so your get no negative comments off me on this one. Kro
Lets suport him and give the guy a chance he is a centre half not and stand in and Garry knows how to defend
Too right rhees. Kro
Having had the opportunity to sign him all summer it does suggest that we’ve had to settle for him as we cannot afford anything better. Surely there’s a Premier league centre back kicking his heels in the reserves that we could take on loan? Dan Burn and Kyle Bartley were great loaned centre backs from PL clubs a few seasons back.
Usually I hang on every word which OP says, but I find the pessimism depressing this time. We have signed 2 players for cash (or HP) and I for one did not expect any other player coming in who needed a fee. I expected either a Premiership loan or someone out of contract, which Lowry now is. I guess that the delay in his ability to get out of his contract was the reason for the timing.
However, Gary has seen him play for us and has said he won’t sign someone for the sake of increasing the numbers. Therefore I do trust his judgment; even though Lloyd Dyer did not look up to it, I felt by the last game he might have been useful.
Keep up the great work on CY & PP1.
How many times have the moaners and those who think they know better than the coaching staff have been shot down by GR and his staff. You would think people would have learnt by now to wait and see what GR does with a player before slating them before they have even had a chance to play.
Shane welcome to Fickle city I hope you prove them all wrong.
I agree the kid deserves a chance and the rest of it but it does look as though GR is having to get his arms in the bargain basket at Lidl’s with this one. Rowett can’t just be relied upon to keep pulling rabbits out of hats and needs at least to be in a position to be able to improve us otherwise I can see him getting fed up.
Ive just listened to his interview.Seems like a sensible level headed lad.I think he has the work ethic that GR wants so lets not send him to room 101 yet.On a dark note I agree with the rather worrying undercurrent of no money being available.I think GR is commited to us but he is only human.We need to give him some more money to bring in quality.If we dont and he feels that we are holding him back then he will go.So would I and so would whoever is reading this.
Who is “We” swissjohnny?
Blues.?
The Club.
I see this guy as a good sinning I also don’t see what’s wrong with Spector. yes we need cover But Why do so many blues supporters want a prem defender on lone . yep Kyle Bartley would be quality but his wage would be big also. Dan Burn would be better and more within our price range but Fulham have said they wont lone him to a club in the Championship. Shane Lowry is a good player lets give him a chance and lets back Spector who is doing a top job for us. KRO..
I wouldn’t underate Lowry yet he is rated at 9 out of 10 for aggression ,which against some teams we will need , and out of those available he is close as we can get as an a defensive allrounder which with our good coaching ability could mean with each defensive skill honed to the best of his ability he could turn out to be a very good player ,,we will see, kro ….
Why is everybody harping on about money again? Signings or lack of signings don’t always come down to money. The right players have to be available, they have to want to come here & a deal has to be met between the club & their club and the club & the player. That’s a lot that has to be sorted out before they wear the Blues shirt. Problem with many Blues fans is they always think the worst & never look at anything positively! We have 4 games in 10 days coming up & I think it was important we got someone in. GR has obviously thought he desperately needs someone with games coming up quickly like that & this guy is the best of what’s available having already looked at him. Give the lad a chance, you may be eating your own words by the end of the year!
He seems a smart enough lad, he knows this is as good a chance as he’s going to get. I’m expecting him to do well for us… given the chance. As for Orient being relegated… I think that maybe Lowry wasn’t entirely to blame. ;)
It does seem a bit strange signing a player that he could have signed already.Having seen him at kiddie I thought he was OK but no great shake.Let’s hope he’s just cover but if we don’t get another cb in then let’s hope he can do a job for us .Incidentally showing concern for what seems a 2nd choice player isn’t slating him and all these head in the sand comments like “in rowett we trust” are ridiculous . we’re supposedly to be blue noses not brown noses.
In his interview, the lad said that talks had been going on for a while and he was delighted to finally put pen to paper. That sounds very much like he wasn’t able to sign any earlier than he has.
Yeah but not backing the manager’s decisions when he has done nothing wrong so far is what gets managers backs up & the very reason why they move on to another job. The guy hasn’t even kicked a ball for us & people are criticizing. Give the manager a break & the player. You might just be proved wrong.
When fit he can be on the bench and cover both left back and left centre, as a replacement for Robbo in that role it has to be an improvement. Like others I hope we can tempt a prem side to release a big, left sided player to challenge Specs for the starting position, but in the meantime we will have to make do with what we have.
I trust in Rowett but ime certainly not a brown nose and have my head stuck in sand .. Ime blue, head above water and totally in sink with what’s going on at our club .. The manager gets in and picks players he thinks right .. Stop being redicuolous with comments that don’t fit with supporters like me ok Toby , cheers pal. Kro
By the way me my wife and son have got our tickets for the vile .. Anyone else ? Kro
Good holiday Dave? Hope so.
Yeah Great thanks staffs, lovely part of Germany . Kro
Wasn’t Morrison at Charlton at the same time as Lowry? Perhaps he has made a recommendation and GR thinks that the two of them can prove to be a force in time. If not then surely he is handy cover if a deal for a loan with Kyle Bartley or Dan Burn could be resurrected.
Lowry was never at Charlton. Whilst on Villa’s books he had loan spells at Plymouth (13 games), Leeds (11), Sheffield Utd (17) and Millwall (9) before signing permanently for Millwall (74) then Orient (34). That’s 158 League games – hardly wet behind the ears.
I saw him play at Kidderminster, I was very impressed, hope he does well for the Blues. We are short in that area and I don’t think Rowett has made a mistake yet has he?
Exactly Bewdleyblue, unbeaten this season and yet fans still slate is decisions ..I wonder how many have seen in actually play who go negative? .. Just looking for excuses in my eyes . Kro
just welcome the lad and wish him the best if he gets his chance. if rowett sees something in him thats good enough for me. so far rowett has got best out of new players hes bought in…welcome shane
why pay a transfer fee in July / August when it was rumoured both parties were in discussions to cancel his contract.
AS GR stated last week when he let Thomas go out on loan , it’s all about saving money not wasting it.
This has probably saved us a 100k transfer fee which will go in the pot for future transfer or loan fees and wages
this is where we are scrimping and saving and buying bargains (hopefully).
Picture the scene-we are 0-1 down at Kiddy. We are awarded a corner and this brute of a ‘Vince Overson’ comes into the box and thunders a rocket header into the net. He played like that all second half with an attitude to die for. He will do for me and once alongside Morrison he will stay. Something about him says ‘could be a legend’.
I hadn’t heard of Michael Morrison before we signed him and he couldn’t get in Charlton’s team. He hasn’t turned out to be too bad has he? We needed a left sided centre back to go with Morrison and now we have got one. I can’t see him bringing another centre back in so I don’t think Lowry is cover.
Mitchell & Shirley Blue , totally agree , well said guys! Kro
I think it’s a shrewd signing by Rowett tbh. Why have Robbo and Hancox on the bench, when you can have Lowry, who can play both positions? That frees up a place for another midfielder/winger/striker. Makes perfect sense.
Fair enough lets give the lad a chance, if he is that aggressive unleash him against the vile.
as Rodney Marsh once said about WBA, “You can put lipstick on a pig but ultimately it’s still a pig.”
I think everyone will find out & as I already know Lowry will be another Olly Lee.
GR has done wonders so far, if he can pull a footballer out of Lowry he should put his name forward as the next Pope.
I can see the white smoke wafting over the top of the Tilton already…!
How do you “already know” fossy? What do you know that we don’t?
OH GOD NO just the thought of Olly Lee brings me out into a cold sweat, another case of Clark doing his mates a favour
We love a player that likes a tackle and goes in hard don’t we? That is what Blues have in Lowry
Are some of these comments for real? Is it the 1st of April? Ffs get a grip!
Did we sign Stewart Downing? Andre Gray? or put in £12mil bid for Jordan Rhodes?? No.
We have paid a rumoured £500k each on 2 players.Probably spread over time.What do you expect? Really? A prem defender on prem wages? Wake up.Just be happy we are punching above our weight
Even Barry Fry said GR is working miracles with what he has.
Watched Lowry play against Kidderminster and he looks a good player. See you all in the Holte end!!
So many Pointless questions and assumptions about a player who’s just signed for us.
It is until the end of the season,he is a left footer who likes a battle.
Let’s judge him once he has played ten games or so.
Always A Blue
Lowry is a Perth- born lad so maybe he’s met and been influenced by dear old Stan Lazaridis. His parents are Irish and he’s played for the Irish national squad but wants to play for Australia not sure if he’ll make the world cup squad.
Seems a good honest player and we need to fill that hole at the back. With GR development he might find his true form, and excel.
AussieBlues has keyword there. He could Excel. That’s a key Word. He makes a Power(ful)Point. If Rowett’s right the Outlook is very good.
Now I’ve got that off my chest its time to head for the Office
I think you’re the Apple of GR’s eye
LOL Julian. Don’t Spread(sheet) that around too much please!
Also saw him at kidiminster looked solid enough great in the air remember liam daish this blues team is being built on players who want to play for blues not premier league player who dont
Couldn’t agree more.
Loath to comment on a player never seen well save it for the pub not here for the sake of stirring. There’s enough negativity about us without unnecessarily adding to it. Give him a chance
Whilst repecting everyone’s right to their own viewpoint I genuinely think that GR does not sign players as short term “stop gaps” and therefore he sees more in this player than others do. He is an experienced centre half, a competitive one and only 26 , so I for one leave it to GR to prove the player is worth it. After all , a lot of the players Clark signed were regarded as useless until GR mouleded them into the basis of a useful team. . KRO regardless!
I’m not sure how Lowry might know Lazaridis given heir age differences and the fact they live on opposite sides of the world. Haven’t seen much of him as he went quickly to the UK having lived on the opposite side of the continent but in his rare appearances for Australia he has looked competent & strong; and he is left footed. I think he’ll do OK; he could hardly be worse than Robinson and although you guys seem to love him watching through eye-bleedingly bad feeds Morrison looks nothing special to me – but this is where we are shopping right now; we have been spoiled watching Cunningham, Scott Dann etc. So I think this is a good piece of business and if he worls out maybe even one for a couple more years. He is certainly at least as good as the existing back ups, whether he is actually better than Edgar remains to be seen
:-)
An Aussie at St Andrews
Yippeee
99.9% of Aussies never give up. Remember that
:-)
Ta Letsby but I was wondering in the fourth Test in Nottingham!
:-)
I was always a Stan L groupie :-)
Just a sideways reference, Shane’s wife ~ on Twitts ~ hinted that they had been quiet about the move and now could announce it ~ ~ so it seems to have been going on in the background ~ off the radar as they say.
It could possibly date back to his “trial period”
Possibly as AJ recognised, extracation from the relegated O’s, with minimal expense to Blues.
Thank you Ms Lowry ~ ~ and welcome Shane.
:-)
And let’s not forget that Rowetts only put him on a short term contract till the end of the season to see how he does .. Does the job and gets a 3 year contract , cocks up makes mistakes then out he goes.. Nothing to loose really . Kro
I think you’re spot on there. We’ve picked up a competetive player on a ‘free’ for the next 9 months… and he won’t be on a fortune. Nothing to lose.
Maybe there were contract complications for Shane with Orient. Maybe Gary was seeing how Spector fared before deciding on a replacement or cover. Perhaps his preferred players would expect to start and Gary wasn’t prepared to just cast Spector aside.
Second choice isn’t necessarily far worse than first choice. Remember Bruce only took Forssell at the last minute when Arsenal were prevaricating about Francis Jeffers
And for a second choice Forssell didn’t turn out to bad did he Julian.. Certainly in my team of the century . Kro
Morning guys and girls,
O’s fan in peace. I’m afraid you could be in a bit of trouble. in CB, sloppy positioning from balls over the top, beaten far too easily and more often than not, roasted when at LB.
He had a few good games, so he is capable but we’re not bothered about him leaving us. Maybe he will adapt to Championship football better than League 1.
Best of luck for the rest of the season.
Ed , thanks for that pal but we’re all hoping that Gary Rowett and our defensive coach will work on his faults and improve him .. Best of luck to you and your boys for the season . Kro
Cheers Dave. Maybe he will improve with you coaches….we couldn’t really defend for toffee last year so….
We’ve got kuszczak in goal with Caddis right back grounds left back and Morrison at centre half along side Spector .. Some Blues fans don’t trust Spector with injuries and inconsistent performances so he might be the answer .. We’ve defended ok so far and we’re scoring at the other end with an unbeaten start to the season lying 7th in the championship with a game in hand .. We’re looking a good side and some fans are just disappointed that it wasn’t someone of a bigger name but we’re wait and see and let’s hope he fits in with our settled starting line up .. !
I see Lowry as the last piece in GRs shoestring puzzle. He is big, good in the air and tough in the tackle. Exactly what everyone said was needed and GR stated that he wasnt going to plunge in for new bodies out of desparation. Lowry has even played in the team this summer! We should all be saying, “Incredible. GR’s done it!” Now we are ready to enter the top 6 to stay and then consider the new year plan to fight for a top 2 finish. This phase is a plan of dogged guts and belief for a team that will remain the underdog and yet will be extremely hard to defeat. They will gain points steadily but without lots of goals. Continuing to build the defensive grip with ruthless blitzkrieg counter attack is one big strategy for the team for this phase of the campaign. The rotation of players off the bench also looks strong now. If all goes well and as long as they at least draw most of the time the plan is set. The use of the loan window is optional and dependent.
Bristol city have sold out there allocation so will bring a good mob to stans so we’ve got to keep the atmosphere going at our end otherwise we could be embarrassed … Should be a cracker! Kro
MONEYBALL !!!
I live in Leyton and went to a dozen plus O’s games last season. Absolutely horrific every time I saw him. Absolutely no pace, terrible as a LB or CB and doesn’t read the game at all well. I see him purely as emergency back up.
Ali D…..Is that why Ian Hendon wanted him to keep him?
Hendon didn’t want to keep him. Apparently Lowry was playing Charlie Big Spuds and affecting the mood in the game.
Ali D……Grapes and sour spring to mind!!!!
Lost you there Richard. Blues ST holder living in London.
I have to say GR has me totally baffled with his comments that seem to vary from week to week. I do not believe he had much if not any intention of making this signing, and his comments today indicate that Shane is not a replacement to improve the team but to stand by in case of injury.
TBH I am beginning to wonder what the hell is really going on with all the differing statements coming out of bcfc and bihl. Was any of this loan money ever really intended for the servicing of the football team like we were told, and in fact wasn`t it said that majority of it was for the team strengthening. The truth now seems a far cry from spending even any as the very small amount we have spent could well have been an amount we already had anyhow. As far as I am concerned we have been fed a load of spin by all including Gary Rowett, and whilst I am not judging Shane as yet I am so very disappointed we have not been able to splash a decent amount on a more experienced centre half as it is such an important position and we have only brought in players Gary seemed to tell us he wouldn`t bring in. ie players who would only improve us.
We’ve spent a lot of that money on renewing contracts of our senior players and we’ve spent money on kieftenbeld and Brock masden .. We’re 7th in the table with a game in hand , 2 home games coming up and we’ve played bloody well so far this season so can we please cut some slack for our manager , coaches & playing staff .. We all know that rowett was a vile fan but he’s not there manager he’s ours so let’s stop the bloody criticise as none of us really know what’s going on behind closed doors .. God forbid if we’re bottom three , Jesus Christ!! Kro
And there are still fans thinking we can go up this season.Don`t make me laugh.If we finish top half that will have been a great effort.You only have to look at some of the signings of other clubs to realise we`re miles behind.Good luck to the lad but it`s not a signing that exactly excites.
Bluey, we’ve got no money so we weren’t gonna spend anything or sign anyone that would exite you or anyone .. Just because other clubs have spent money does not mean there automatically finish above us does it !! .. Stop slagging off fans who are being positive . Kro
Dave i`m not slagging off positivity but i think some are getting carried away. GR has done great with limited resources and i hope that continues.But please some realism is needed.IMHO we are miles away from a promotion push.If i`m wrong i promise i`ll be back on here saying i got it wrong. I doubt i am though.Positivity is fine but not for its` own sake.
Have you watched Blues this season???
Yes and i stand by what i`ve said.GR is doing well but we ain`t good enough for promotion.If you think we are do you fancy a little bet with me? I mean it`s easy money for you isn`t it?
I am with you Bluey, its easy to get carried away with what has undoubtedly been a good start to the season. I just hope GR hasn`t been fooled into thinking that maybe we can get by with what we have because that’s the ways it is appearing to me. I also think/agree we are quite someway off some peoples expectations just because of that start mainly. Also player contracts are not paid upfront and can be funded from future income bearing in mind some are for three years. I just think most of us were led to believe we would only make signings who would improve what we have and not just to add to the numbers and with a £13 million loan we could have at least been able to spend a few million on the most important part of the team ie the spine,. Its not a criticism as its what we were told, and several time`s from Gary.
I am curious about the O’s fans and their views on Lowry. I would like the two who have commented to 1. name their last team sheet to us and 2. Who is your regular C.H.and holding midfielder and 3. What formation do you play? Thanks in anticipation.
Not an O’s fan Mitchell. Blues ST Holder who lives in Leyton and goes when I don’t go to the Blues. Only one game (Stevenage) so far this season but they’re playing a diamond with Dean Cox having a free role. CBs are usually Essam and Matty Baudry. Sammy Moore from Wimbledon is doing a sterling job as holding-midfielder after Romain Vincelot left for Coventry.
Don’t give a shite about orient … Ime getting pissed off by the criticism that Gary Rowetts getting .totaly friging does my head in . KRO
Mike Lowry – I keep remembering the film bad boys
According to Shite mail He has 7 Red Cards and 48 yellows..if that’s the case at his young age he is a ticking timebomb and hopefully just a stopgap for injuries…I’m expecting GR to pull a decent loan out of the bag
When Maghoma signed, we got a few Sheff.Wed. fans slagging him off. I think unwelcomed comments on newly signed players doesn’t bode well. Bluenoses are not daft-we soon.sus if a player is good or not.
Mitchell , exactly , at least some of us are level headed ! Kro
Don’t understand the moaning about money. BCFC activity in the last transfer window has proved, to date, to be highly efficient both in terms of moving players, gaining replacements and achieving results
I’d much rather we’re doing what we are than splashing the cash Bristol, Derby and Burnley style.
Yes, sure there’s an obvious vacancy for a commanding central defender, but given the way GR has handled things to date, it’s difficult to criticise his transfer dealings.
What is it – something like 60 points from his 36 games and a reduced and more dependable squad?
What’s not to like?
You`d rather we spent peanuts on players than `splash the cash`? Well i wouldn`t. I realise it`s not an exact science but these clubs investing in proven players of a good standard are streets ahead of us.That doesn`t mean we can`t compete and be comfortable in the table but talk of promotion for me is way wide of the mark.
I can’t believe that some of the players being hawked around for a couple of mill or so are 10 times better than some of the signings we’ve made for a couple of hundred thou’
One of the major curses of the modern game is agents talking up average players and getting starry-eyed owners to cough up mega bucks.
Compare and contrast Burney and QPR – sure both came back down last year, but Dyche’s mob have done it in what I think is the right way – economically sensible and building for the longer term, whereas Fernandes’ reign at QPR…would you really splash the cash like he did on has-beens who only broke sweat when they were counting their wage packets?
And sure, it’s early days, but I don’t see any of the cash splashers ‘miles ahead of us’. Give me solid, dependable pros in the royal blue – not some cast offs from Seria A or Jose’s C team.
I don’t understand why some fans think spending big bucks on players would make a better team? Why pay when we are getting good players that have wanted to come to STand in a free transfer, yes we could have signed some of the same players earlier and paid for them, then those same fans would be cheering. I would rather the monies LENT to us , on the back of our ground , stays in the bank until we can give it back. I am happy with our team, our signings, our manager and our results so far. Kro
I reckon we all need to keep in mind that we are still owned by a suspended, in receivership, company in Hong Kong and GR is still trying to work wonders with very little resources. If he and the team pull it off this season, they should be regarded in the same league as ‘the few’ “Never before in the field of football conflict, has so much been achieved for so many, by so few.”