Ryan Shotton

[Manofpride]

I might get slaughtered here but I think he is a weak link, not the answer IMO and it should be the next priority signing!

Fair enough MOP, care to elaborate on why?

I'm not certain he's the answer myself, but I'm impressed with his improvement.[/quote]

Like you say he has improved and that's why he's in the team, I'd prefer Bucko there but he's not the answer either.
When teams attack he seems to panic, I think this is because he's not confident in what he does. His tackling and ball distribution isn't as good as Buckos but it is nice to have a bit of height at corners and set pieces but his main job is to defend and he's no good at it. I think he's just a stop gap, he's been loaned out to about 5 clubs and none of them have come in with a bid. I just think he's an average to low Championship defender and that isn't good enough for this much improved Derby side.

[swaledale]

[quote="D_D"]I reckon this lad deserves a bit of praise.

Many posters on here, myself and rapid being two of the main culprits, claimed Shotton wasn't a left centre back and he wasn't the answer in that position.

However, his development over the last few games has been outstanding. He's growing into the position, and his partnerships with Forsyth and Keogh are ever strengthening. He's got all the tools regarding what it takes to be an imposing centre-back; he has strength, a good leap, relative pace and aggression (something Zak severely lacks). His left-foot and general passing are improving week-to-week, and although he isn't there yet, he looks like he's on his way to cementing his place in the team for the rest of the season.

The danger he adds from set-pieces should also be noted. He seemingly leaps the highest when a ball enters the box.

I'd be interested to get peoples thoughts on this, as I know many saw the CB position as something we needed t

[Sma11ytheRam]

[quote="D_D"]I reckon this lad deserves a bit of praise.

Many posters on here, myself and rapid being two of the main culprits, claimed Shotton wasn't a left centre back and he wasn't the answer in that position.

However, his development over the last few games has been outstanding. He's growing into the position, and his partnerships with Forsyth and Keogh are ever strengthening. He's got all the tools regarding what it takes to be an imposing centre-back; he has strength, a good leap, relative pace and aggression (something Zak severely lacks). His left-foot and general passing are improving week-to-week, and although he isn't there yet, he looks like he's on his way to cementing his place in the team for the rest of the season.

The danger he adds from set-pieces should also be noted. He seemingly leaps the highest when a ball enters the box.

I'd be interested to get peoples thoughts on this, as I know many saw the CB position as something we needed t

[Sma11ytheRam]

[quote="Sma11ytheRam"]I reckon this lad deserves a bit of praise.

Many posters on here, myself and rapid being two of the main culprits, claimed Shotton wasn't a left centre back and he wasn't the answer in that position.

However, his development over the last few games has been outstanding. He's growing into the position, and his partnerships with Forsyth and Keogh are ever strengthening. He's got all the tools regarding what it takes to be an imposing centre-back; he has strength, a good leap, relative pace and aggression (something Zak severely lacks). His left-foot and general passing are improving week-to-week, and although he isn't there yet, he looks like he's on his way to cementing his place in the team for the rest of the season.

The danger he adds from set-pieces should also be noted. He seemingly leaps the highest when a ball enters the box.

I'd be interested to get peoples thoughts on this, as I know

[Toggles]

I think a few folks have been a bit quick to write Ryan off.

Improving with each game, as you'd expect for someone who has not had mych football over the last year. i think he's showing a real hunger to keep his place and forming a good partnership with Keogh.

Buxton can count himself unfortunate to be missing out, but he's not the collosus many paint him as. Committed and tenacious, good on the ball he may be, but he gets caught out positionally from time to time too and makes a few rash challenges that have y **** clenching at times. When Bucko first joined I thought he looked out his depth for a few months, but he happily proved me wrong.

Think Shotton will be the same with some of the doubters on here and will be a fav come May

[swaledale]

I have to admit I was amazed by Buckos improvment since McClaren came in, but Shotton has the edge no doubt about that.Still we need to have competition and cover, shows that the squad has been improved.