- Home
- Birmingham City
- Current Squad
- Adam Legzdins
- Jonathan Grounds
- Paul Robinson
- Ryan Shotton
- Maikel Kieftenbeld
- Robert Tesche
- Stephen Gleeson
- Clayton Donaldson
- Diego Fabbrini
- David Cotterill
- Rhoys Wiggins
- Che Adams
- Lukas Jutkiewicz
- Viv Solomon-Otabor
- Jacques Maghoma
- Greg Stewart
- Jonathan Spector
- David Davis
- Michael Morrison
- Tomasz Kuszczak
- Paul Caddis
- Development Squad
- Academy
- Ladies Team
- Sophie Baggaley
- Alex Windell
- Meaghan Sargeant
- Jess Carter
- Kerys Harrop
- Freda Ayisi
- Kirsty Linnett
- Bella Linden
- Andrine Hegerberg
- Abbey-Leigh Stringer
- Melissa Lawley
- Charlie Wellings
- Chloe Peplow
- Rebecca Lloyd
- Connie Schofield
- Emily Westwood
- Cheryl Edwards
- Corina Schröder
- Ashlee Brown
- Coral-Jade Haines
- Aoife Mannion
- Ann-Katrin Berger
- Out on Loan
- Former Players
- Boards and Advisors
- Appearance Data 2014/2015
- Current Squad
- Factfiles
- Series
- Sponsorship
- Website Info
- Social Media
- Contact Me
Shotton to St Andrew’s?
There’s nothing like the promise of some money to spend to get the transfer rumours ignited. One rumour that has come from credible sources is that Blues are looking to bring back Ryan Shotton on a permanent deal from Derby after his loan spell with the club in the second half of last season.
Brian Dick confirmed in the Birmingham Mail yesterday that Blues have spoken to the Rams about the 27-year-old defender, with Shotton apparently amenable to the thought of returning to St Andrew’s. As you’d expect with a new manager in place Nigel Pearson is currently assessing his squad so it comes down to the former Leicester boss if Shotton can make the move or not.
Shotton fits the profile of the kind of player I believe Blues are looking for. Gary Rowett has always talked about having a “small, tight squad” and therefore I can’t believe he’ll be looking to bring in more than a couple of defenders to fill in the gaps left by the departures of Neal Eardley, Mitch Hancox and Shotton. As much as I think Shotton would be best at centre-back (especially as he’d bring some much-needed height into the backline), he can also cover full-back in case of injury/suspension to Paul Caddis.
As always, the stopper to the deal could be money. Although Blues aren’t quite scraping around the bins outside Lidl any more they still need to be prudent and the word is that Shotton is on quite a hefty deal at the iPro Stadium; Blues certainly weren’t paying all of his wages while he was on loan. The question would be if Blues can afford to pay more for the services of the Stoke-born defender or if Shotton would be prepared to take a pay cut for the guarantee of more first-team football.
There is also the question of a transfer fee; Shotton still has a year left to go on his Derby deal and it could be that the Rams dig their heels in to receive some recompense for his departure. The Rams have been reluctant to allow players to leave for Blues easily in the past twelve months with a move for Jake Buxton blocked last year because of their fears of how much Blues would affect their own battle for promotion.
I’d be happy with the signing of Shotton personally. I think he showed that he’s good enough for us at centre-back last season and with the word being that he wants to come back it’s always a good sign. I hope if we do go for him we can tie it off quickly; we saw what happened last season when Rob Kiernan decided (apparently mid-medical) that he would prefer to go to Rangers than come to Blues after a protracted transfer – with the knock-on effect that Blues ended up not bringing in any cover at centre-half last summer.
Tags: Ryan Shotton
62 Responses to “Shotton to St Andrew’s?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I agree with Shotton, we need to bring in a Centre Half who can form a partnership with Morrison and get some stability in the back line. Next we need competition for Grounds & that should do the defence.
I too would welcome Shotton back. Blues certainly need strengthening in defence.
There are other candidates available though, including Dan Burn and Ben Turner, each of whom would not involve a transfer fee.
Not a big fan of him. Liable to make costly errors!
And our other defenders don’t do this either, do they? Shotton is streets ahead of what we have, including morrison.
Whilst I too would like Shotton back, I still believe we need another CB
Dan Burn is on a free and fits the bill perfectly…
Done exceptionally well last spell, would complement Morrison,Wage demands would be within our budget.
Shotton would be a welcome addition but more as cover.
Wouldn’t mind a cheeky bid for Nakhi Wells either!
Not for me. Shot ton is ok but not commanding enough. I watched him with close attention last season and he nearly always came off second best when in either aerial challenges or floor tackling. He is fine if GR wants cover for full backs etc. but for me we want a burly Grant Hanley type alongside Morrison.Many clubs go for the utility defenders and whilst useful-it rarely sets the world alight for the target of top six.
Totally agree Mitch.
He has no positional sense and cannot head a ball. He is tepid in defence.
Buxton would be better but v similar to Morro.
Surely there is better than Shotton? And better value.
Personally, I’m sick of utility players in defence. As I’ve said before, they’re utility players for a reason.. they’re not good enough to nail down a place in one position (i.e. Spector, Halford, Lowry.) I’d prefer a specialised centre back and left back.
I agree and have always maintained a c/h is indeed a specialised position its one of about 4/5 positions where you really need to spend big ish money and buy the best you can get. I just think its far wiser to spend good money on a bit of quality a commanding big strong specialised Centre half is and has been what we are crying out for, Shotton is an ok type and that’s all he ever will be.
I’ve always said, get the spine of the team right – centre backs, centre midfield, striker – and you can cut your cloth accordingly down the sides. Although not top quality, we can cope with the likes of Caddis, Grounds, Cotterill, Maghoma, Solomon-Otabor, etc, if the middle is solid.
Grounds is the worst defender in the championship we need a better left back
A bench player at best. Id rather have buxton from derby who is in the liam daish mould.
Shotton would be a great signing. I can see him getting better when settled into a team as a key regular player. Go get him Gary.
you can see that, because you want to see that. understandable but a mistake imo he is what he is.
?
Burn and Turner? Are you kidding. Injury prone and poor defenders. Shotton is as good as we can hope for. We can’t spend millions on players and have to spread money about and pick up bargains. Our defence was at its best when Robinson was in it last season, facts speak for themsevles. He needs replacing and Morrison needs to buck his ideas up as he was found wanting towards the end of the season
I thought Shotton improved as he settled and played more centrally. I thought he looked pretty strong and aggressive in the air, more aggressive and physical than Morro, has a little more pace is more of a threat in the opposing area and has the asset of his long throw late in a game although that never came to fruition.
My worry was he seemed to doze off at set pieces and lacked the game management to see off a few games, but Robbo’s coaching and a settled regular place could help that. Beggars can’t be choosers, I feel he could be the best we can manage. I would have loved Burn or especially Bluenose Turner a few years ago, but I think they have passed their respective peaks, unlike Shotton.
Steve
We would be better served to get someone with more experience andreliability than Shotton who played OK at centre half but was a liability at right back.
Someone like Silvain Distain or Taylor from Newcastle would be good solution. Both still fast and a lot of experience. Robbo did well but height and speed were problems at times.
Sylvain Distin? He is a year older than Robbo!
… and Taylor is better known for being shot by a sniper in his own penalty area. :))
Not so Taylor is infinitely better player than Shotton can score a few too
Sorry Tony, I disagree. Taylor is more suited to Scottish football.
Silvain Distain or Taylor great idea and we would only have them to take 25K per week pay cuts.
I thought shottons contract ended at the end of may , Ryan ‘s dribbling ability pulls him up short of being a wingback , but he could be the ideal partner for Morro over time , which he won’t get at Derby. kRO
Played ok when moved to centre half but like staffs I want a Wes Morgan type of centre half who’s big and strong and takes no prisoners but if he does come back then that’s ok with me . KRO
Absolutely agree with all that.
If GR can stop his ball watching, improve his heading, distribution, and man marking and eradicate too many errors then he might be half way to making a decent centre back.
All that could be applied to Morrison too.
yes I agree again, last season I would always slow mo all our goals and goals conceded, Morrison was imo responsible on many occasions and guilty of not responding quickly enough just seem to stand watching. I honestly think because people took to him so to speak and maybe rightly so but now do not want to criticise him. I just want to judge him more when he has a decent C/H along side him. maybe some one who is even better than him could help his game. And again that is not Shotton imo.
I’m glad someone agrees with me. I’ve never been 100% convinced by Morrison. As you said, he was responsible for quite a few of our goals conceded. When all around are clamouring for someone to partner Morrison, I’ve said on a few occasions, we need a big, strong centre back for Morrison to play alongside… like a Kyle Bartley or similar. Morrison is more a sweeper up than a defender who attacks the ball.
Exactly.
He didn’t do it for me but i have faith in GR & with a pre-season & defensive coaching under his belt who knows
What about Kyle Bartley? I find it difficult to believe that he is content with reserve football at Swansea.
He has been there 4 years and has made 16 appearances, which is one fewer than he made for us in his loan spell in 2013/14.
If we are talking about promotion and we are, (re the Announcement) then we need to set our sights higher on a position so critical as C/H.
Speak for yourself.Some of us aren`t talking about promotion because it is highly unlikely.Despite having a few extra quid in the pot we`re still miles behind others. Do you honestly think we can finish above Aston,Newcastle,Norwich,Derby, Wednesday etc because i don`t. Not negative just realistic.
If GR can get I’m in for the right price about £500k then he should even if he is for cover He was Good at CB for us & knows the team. Dan Bern & Ben Turner are available on a free Kyle Bartley could be available but I think it maybe around the 1.2mil mark for him.
I do find it funny all of the comments against Shotton, when we were not buying players, fans moan, and when we commit to buying a player the same fans moan, I do remember a certain Jamie Vardy being rejected before a manager had faith in him. Kro
Mate why do you call “having an opinion” Moaning. Do you just want everyone to agree with you?
I think this thread is very fair and polite and Constructive opinion.
That’s what it’s all about, having an opinion. If we all agreed with OP, there wouldn’t be much of a discussion.
Just making the point that some fans are fickle and hard to please, I think its reassuring that we are looking to aďd to the squad, GR must have seen potential else he would cast the net else where. I didnt think I was aiming my opinion at anyone in particular :-)
Like most fickle fans mate, don’t know there arse from there elbow . KRO
I keep thinking of Brighton at home when Lewis Dunk and some other bloke each scored unopposed from set pieces, he didnt seem to have the aggression / dominance we need. I know its 1 example but I worry whether he has the attitude to command the area to go with his physicality.
If you watch it again, you’ll see it was Morrison and Spector beaten for the first and Morrison beaten for their second.
Given the situation regarding the take-over my thoughts are that we look to a play-off place next season with a view to assembling the quality and quantity of players throughout the next two seasons for promotion in 2018. If that’s realistic then might we look to recruit someone in the Kenny Cunnigham mould? I believe his additon to the squad was a major factor in our eventual promotion and success. Is Ryan Shotton in that mould? If not then his recruitment would help achieve more stability but perhaps not be that ambitious?
Cunningham was signed once we got promoted, he was one of Brucey’s first signings
IIRC, Cunnigham was a right back at Millwall, with Ben Thatcher at left back for a couple of seasons. I think it was Wimbledon who converted him to centre back before he joined us.. but I could be wrong, it might have been Brucie. Was definitely a right back though.
This much needed CH should be someone who has been the mainstay of a defence for years. At 6ft 3ish he is solid in the air and on the ground. At 30 he maybe pushed aside to refresh his current team but he still has the maturity to control and lead a defence. A premiership club must have one and so must championship sides. Spend money on him.
Dan,
Do you think that in the absence of the loan market, clubs will become more or less likely to cut their losses on players that aren’t performing/featuring in their match day squards in order to be more competitive in the buying market? If players are considered investments, then when they aren’t performing you’d expect them to be shifted quickly to free up funds earmarked for their salaries in the annual budget.
It’s a good question. I’m intrigued to see what it will do with younger players – will it mean the big clubs don’t hoover up all the talent? I don’t know.
Shotton at Derby is respected as a centrehalf by the fans , he needs game time to come into the fore ..worth signing…
Imagine a pairing of Bartley and Shotton. :)
Watford turn down £20 million for Troy Deeney !!! …. Leicester must be feeling sorry for them !! … He’s £10 million at best … The transfer window as gone barmy .. Our £10.6 million over 18 months looks cattle feed ! KRO
Dave, agreed. Think this is going to be the most extravagant and dangerous transfer period ever.We need to be disciplined and effective. I can see a few championship clubs throwing millions at the thought of the Prem-failing and going bust. Slowly ,slowly and with great care. Not exciting but lets make sure we last.KRO
I’m afraid Rowett can only buy the quality that the money he has will allow so like it or lump it people until someone is prepared to put big buybacks in if it’s not tta then we are where we are.
Big bucks I meant lol
Good point swissjonny. Firstly we have to accept that top 6 will be wildly optimistic in view of what’s around us. Yes we may win a couple of back to back wins early doors that shoot us up the table,but our heads will tell us that our squad will need to be a stable outfit to keep us out of any trap floors. We can handle and hopefully enjoy the new season with 2017/8 the main thrust to get out of the Championship.
I agree with that. Basically, last season was our biggest chance, unfortunately, we blew it. We’ll be lucky to scrape the top 10 this season, unless Rowett makes a few astute buys in the summer. There’s still 8 weeks to go, so you never know.
It would seem sensible to sift through the list of available centre backs that are available but I agree that a tall strong player like Wes Morgan or Huth, who lets face it were not exactly fresh faced youngsters when Leicester signed them. I remember when Zigic used to be our best defender at set pieces due to his height but we don’t have anyone with those credentials. Not that I am advocating a third coming for the big guy.
I think wages will dictate who comes so that is why I think a 33-36 short term stop gap with experience would suit us rather than a younger version
I don’t think we need hulking great giants in central defence.
Two of the best defenders in the Premier League are Nicolas Otamendi and Kolo Toure and they are barely 6′.
Fair point RG, however The Championship is still more physical than premier and whilst hulking giants might not be required a commanding presence is. We need a leader (Morrison isn’t imo) along Robbo lines but with more of a physical presence at the heart of the back four. Is Liam Daish still playing :-)
I did say someone like Steven Taylor who incidentally is still only 30. He’s talking to Glasgow Rangers I hear. Dont know if we could afford him. David Wheater also comes to mind. He had 5 or 6 good seasons with Bolton before the bottom dropped out of their world.
Lets hope whoever GR gets in it isn’t left till the last minute and becomes a flappable panic signing.I don’t believe jack***t until I see a player holding the blues shirt