Keith Curle on the signing of Shrews defender Mark Ellis
Manager Keith Curle spoke to us about new arrival Mark Ellis as the Shrewsbury defender spent his first day of his month long loan up in Cumbria.
“He’s a player I’ve seen play a number of times and I’ve had nothing but good feedback from everyone who knows him and who has worked with,” he said. “He’s a competitor and he’s slightly old school in his approach.
“He likes to head and clear it, and he’ll compete, but he also likes to get the ball down and play football. He was part of a successful team last season and he comes to us with a very good pedigree.
“His background means he knows this division and he knows what’s required. He’ll bring the levels of aggression and commitment I like in a player and he has natural leadership qualities.”
“Our recruiting policy these days is based on trying to bring players in who will improve us,” he continued. “That means they have different qualities and they’ll help us use different approaches. He’ll bring another edge to the squad and he’ll add to the healthy competition for places we already have here.
“I enjoy having the headache of finalising my starting eleven on a weekend. To be able to have headache you need good players in your squad in the first place. If you’re surrounded by players who are good enough to be starting every week then you’re in a good place.
“We’ll remind everyone that we’re still a work in progress but we are stating to get there with the group we have here at the moment.”