Suprised that no one else has felt the need to comment on this and I know Sgt is normally quite hot of the press with articles like these TP in his great wisdom has used Gareth Bale as a justification for promoting Shotton ahead of Pennant. Now I rate Shotton highly and think he has a very bright future for this club (especially under a new manager), but to compare him to Gareth Bale is frankly absurd - "I've take some stick for leaving Pennant out...............You look at people like Gareth Bale, who they said was a left back...........but is now the best winger in the world". The Welsh Jose must be a little confused! Shotton is a forward thinking defender which makes a natural Full Back who will get foward and be positive in attack. The fact that he progessess past our own 18 yard box does not make a winger. Whilst he is young and we all know his enthusiasm gets the better of him at times, his final ball, ball control and darting runs are no where near the likes of Pennant. Whilst Shotton is a willing runner, he is not blessed with the same pace as Pennant or Ethrington and he certainly doesn't have the pace of the likes of Bale, Walcott, Lennon etc.. My conclusion is that TP is deluded and whilst I would always want to see Shotton in the team and his flexibilty enables him to fit numerous positions, he is not a midfield or forward by any means and this is just another crazy inward looking view by the manager in trying to justify his petulant attitude towards Pennant! In relation to Bales new found sucess, his record as a defender was very poor from the start and since Redknapp graced white heart lane he has given Bale the belief, coaching and freedom to play what is probably a more natural position in a FORWARD thinking team. Just as Shotton is no Bale, Stoke are no Spurs and more importantly Mr. Pulis - You are no Redknapp!
Smither's I read this in the Sentinel last night.. SORRY but when I read it, I had to laugh.. T.P. is kidding no one only himself and Shotton too! He's not doing the lad any favours IMO. I too rate him but he's young and still learning fair play to the lad. Pulis needs his head read if he thinks Shotton is a better winger than Pennant.. ATTACK is the best form of defence Mr P. TRY it sometime and soon like Sunday v Liverpool. I won't hold my breath though!
Too true guys, having Tramadol Tone as manager of this football club is similar to the Doctor telling you that you are suffering from an anti social disease which is uncurable and is with you for life. I love the smell of metaphors in the morning......
It's a shame Shotton never got played RM when he was away on loan, else he could have been a pretty decent winger. Pulis is not saying that Shotts is better than Pennant, just that he is good enough to deserve a chance, and I partially agree. It goes without saying that Pennant is our best right winger, and while I want to see him playing there, I don't mind Shotton getting in now and then (it's just a shame that it's not only now and then). Tony and Jermaine need to man up and sort themselves out, but in the meantime it's good for Ryan to be playing RM, so hopefully one day we will have a proper winger and a proper attacking fullback.
I agree with development of players, but not at the expence of playing your best players and players in the rightful position. I dont think anyone would argue with Shotton at RB and Pennant on the right wing - but as usual we heave square pegs in round holes with talent going to waste!
Hey smithers...my point aswell with that, Shotton and Pennant linked up well when they played together.
Shotton gets foward more than Wilko and Wilson, which is why I think TP prefers to play him on the wing as opposed to Full Back, but I do agree that a Shotton and Pennant combo is a positive one and the way I would go!
Yeah wishful thinking on our part me thinks, but who knows...maybe a little sharp prod from P.C. may work hehe.
It's frustrating, I know, and in the case I think Pulis is wrong, but the only way to develop the younger players is at the expense of others. There just ain't enough reserve matches and cup games, and they aren't going to get you as sharp as a run in the Prem starting 11. But we all know this isn't really about youth development, it's about TP and JP.
I do agree that when Wilko had to come off the other week Shotton and Pennant looked really good.. Might be worth T.P. looking at that? My biggest problem with Shotton on the wing is his crossing, not good enough but as I said before. He's young and still learning. I was watching the two youth teams last week. Utd v Chelsea at O.T. Really enjoyed the game but I picked up on one comment. " Player's eventually learn when to keep the ball, when to cross it and make the right pass.. that for me sum's up Ryan Shotton right now. Fair play to the lad and fair enough to give him a game. But Pennant is not starting games, for me that's doing him nor the team any good at all. With decent crosses into our box I'm sure Crouch and Jones would benefit. But that's just how I see it.
