4.0 Stoke midfielder, miss classified as a defender. Takes long throws when Delap is not on the pitch which should result in a few assists and is fundamentally a decent looking young player in a team that prides itself on defensive stability and clean sheets.

In ahead of Pennant at the moment but Stoke look a lot more solid with him in the team, they conceded goals at unprecedented levels with Jermaine sometimes criticised for not tracking back. I think Pulis will be reluctant to change a winning side and even if Pennant does play some games, Shotton can go back to right back.

What's not to love?

Might get him in for Brown, he looked like Stokes best player today.

Could become the Coleman of last year

there is a buzz about him... could go places.....

I have Shwarcross.. so not sure about a stoke block... but i m thinking ill need to get rid of simpson probably....so maybe maybe

really guys, don't buy into this one - at least until he is picked ahead of pennant when both are fit (he won't be). He won't drop into right-back either as AlexSong says - Huth, Woodgate and Wilkinson are all ahead of him there. the comparisons with coleman are fair though; another head-down-and-run-in-a-straight-line "young hope" who isn't a) actually that young or b) particularly good.

Think Pennant is out of the equation for the foreseeable future mate!

http://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/ind ... ead=180606

ah interesting. if that isn't just terrace-talk - it was reported he failed a fitness test - then ignore me and jump aboard!! (maybe)

With the winter coming up, I want a team of definite starters. Shotton isn't one yet I'm affraid. Going nowhere near him.

+1

I have Monk as my 5th defender at the moment but I want a Stoke defender to replace Richards to free up cash for other transfers, so need to have a guaranteed starter. I'm going for the safer bet of Shawcross

is sorrenson expected to keep starting?

I have Shawcross penciled in for GW18, but he's on 4 yellows which is putting me off.

Has some of the gloss gone off this lad since Pennant has come back in?

A 4.0 Stoke def is still great value imo and any time he plays wing can be seen as a bonus.

Might bring him in for Ryan Taylor before the drop to tonight, they look good for a clean sheet or two in the coming weeks.

not any more, sitting out Gw17 so you can pencil to your hearts content.

Yep, noticed he got the 5th needed yellow.

Made alternative plans now but Shotton could still be a maybe if he's likely to keep his place.

I chucked him in today to free up cash to put Rooney in. I'll take the punt.

Played again today. Doesn't pull up any trees but helped himself to 6pts. Even stayed on the pitch when Pennant joined the action.

I have one none playing defender, so is Shotton worth the switch (Wig (h) next)

Yeah, he moves to RB when pennant comes on (usually for a woodgate-like defender). I'd imagine this will stop when wilkinson is fit again (next game?) and so it will become a straight shotton/pennant shootout for RW.

Pennant will start at least one of the next two you'd have thought, so maybe it's not the best time to bring in shotton. One to keep on the watchlist for me.

Alternatively, there's not much to lose now because you can try him out and if Pennant wins out in MF and there's no defensive place for Shotton, you can lose him in the winter w/c shuffle without spending a transfer just to get rid of a mistake. I noticed Pulis spoke highly of him in the post-match interview yesterday.

Pennant's back. That's buggered those who went for Shotton then. (me included )

He is starting today at the RW Pennant on the bench

Starting XI vs Blackburn: Sorensen; Woodgate, Shawcross (c), Huth, Wilson; Shotton, Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington; Walters, Crouch
Substitutes: Begovic, Jones, Diao, Pennant, Upson, Delap, Jerome. Come on Stoke!

Pennant at home/Shotton away pattern emerging?

Could be, but Shotton got almost all second half against Wigan, got in when they were losing 0-1.

He'll be coming into my squad with my wildcard later this month.

Could the emergence of Jerome have a detrimental affect on Shotton?

Looks like Jerome has played himself into the side with some good performances. This then means Pulis has to find a spot for one of his favorites (Walters) shifting him out onto the right wing meaning Shotton has to battle Woodgate (another one of Pulis's favorites) and a solid fpl defender in Wilkinson for the right back spot.

Party's over, although it never really started, did it

yeah i'll probably get rid with wildcard this week. Been a bit disappointing, he could've been a real touch at just 4m. I think the Walters party might be nearing its end too, could be shifted back to the wing and even taken off penalties.

Could you expand on that? Toying with the shape of my midfield whilst wild-carding and assumed that I would keep Walters but your post has made me think

i think the assumption is that pulis might start playing jerome alongside crouch after his recent goals (he started the cup game afetr having scored v west brom from the bench), which would mean walters dropping back to the wing rather than playing up top.

Etherington used to be on pens and could get them back again, but i think walters standing down is only speculation - not read anything to back that up anyway.