Good Job Monk – Middlesbrough’s Latest Defensive Recruit Is Ideal Given Their Circumstances

Why Ryan Shotton Is Ideal For Middlesbrough Given The Current Circumstances

Ryan Shotton completed his move to title contenders Middlesbrough from Birmingham City and has sent a message to the Blues’ fans saying he “wishes he could explain the full story” behind the move.

Having done the online formalities of thanking Birmingham fans though, the 28-year-old finally put pen to paper on his new deal at the Riverside and joins straight up with Garry Monk’s men having been allowed to go, after Harry Redknapp signed Brentford’s Harlee Dean.

Centre-back Shotton, who started 43 of Birmingham’s 46 league games last season, wasn’t included in the starting XI of any of Redknapp’s five Championship team sheets this term so far and the former Stoke City and Derby County man’s time at St Andrew’s has eventually come to an end.

Middlesbrough had been looking for defenders for a while, with Garry Monk keen to ensure his back line remained solid all season, in what could be another promotion year at the Riverside.

A move for former Birmingham man Shotton was delayed for a while, much to the frustration of Monk and so on that front alone, this news is good for Boro. All the right noises were made about keeping hold of their star man Gibson on deadline day and much to the delight of everyone, Gibson is still there with the club. However, Garry Monk and the board must be professional and think about life after Ben Gibson in January and I’m sure they are.

Given that they are in the Championship, they do not need (nor could they) think about a £10million Premier League centre-back to replace Gibson directly. Instead, a defender with potential and some knowledge of this league would be ideal and this is probably why they have brought Shotton in.

Last year was his proper breakthrough season in this league, playing 43 times for the Blues and doing very well in a struggling team. He is 28 now, which, for a centre-back, is not old, and in fact, he is only just about to reach his peak.

Since being relegated Boro have lost the services of several players, including Marten de Roon, which was to be expected. He may be a miss, however, he wasn’t at the club for long and they were hardly in a position of relying on him for results. Shotton is ideal for Boro right now and gives them more Championship experience in a division which is notably hard to get out of.