Welcome Matthew Pennington

Blackpool write up on him, including some words from Steve Bruce.

Throughout the defender’s first campaign in Tangerine, he played an integral role as part of a back three under Neil Critchley, appearing in 35 League One games. The departure of the ex-Liverpool coach last August coincided with a poor run of form for Pennington at the start of last season, which resulted in him requiring patience following the appointment of Steve Bruce. An opportunity to feature regularly in the Seasiders XI again came at the end of November, with the former Shrews man starting nine games on the bounce before suffering an injury (ankle).

After returning to full fitness, he featured six further times towards the final stages of the campaign, but found Ipswich Town loanee Elkan Baggott preferred to him when both were available for selection. Despite not being able to automatically offer him a regular place in his XI, Bruce has previously admitted he’d like the defender to remain with the club.
“He’s an absolute delight as a pro, you don’t get them like Penno,” the Blackpool boss stated at the beginning of May.
“He’s had his moments where he was in the team and playing very well, but got injured. There’s a conversation to have, and I’d rather have it with him. “You can’t get people like Penno very often so we’ll see what we can do.”

 

Very happy with this signing, candidate for new captain perhaps

 

So, we've signed more defenders this time who have played in a back three before.

That seems pretty sensible to me

Is he right or left footed? Where does he fit in across the back?

Surely, thats the defence done now unless someone leaves?

 

Was reading up on him earlier. Ipswich fans think he’s terrible, Shrewsbury fans think he’s outstanding and Blackpool fans generally don’t rate him. Who knows which version of him we’re getting.

 

I think we need to see him play first. Sounds like he's struggled at this level for the last couple of years so it's a wait and see for me.

 

From what I've read on a few articles just now he played ok/well but carried injuries so didn't have a run of games and when he was out, others played well and so he struggled to get back in the team.

Lets hope the pre-season gets him fit.

 

Happy to wait and see but I read "poor run of form" and the fact that he couldn't get past a young loanee with only a handful of first team games to his name.

Happy enough with the business we've done at the back overall though so it'll be up to 3 of our CBs to make sure they impress and grab their chance.

 

The fact That Steve Bruce wanted him to stay suggest he will be a good addition for us

 

Yeah, Bruce wanted him to stay that much that he immediately went out and signed another couple of high profile centre halves.

I can't for the life of me work out why Pennington eventually opted against it.

 

On paper looks a solid signing. Potentially starting the season with a completely new defence…

 

Looks like he played RCB in a 3 on his best of his runs, occasionally central in the 3. Sounds like he looked hopeless in a back 4, better in the back 5 setup. Right footed.

 

When I read that it sounded a bit like Huntington to me. Dependable pro who could come on for a few minutes to help see out a game.

Hope im wrong!

 

Don't believe everything you read in the papers! There is no suggestion at all he will be a good signing. Let's wait and see.

 

With 264 appearances none below league one I would imagine he would welcome the competition

 

Thought he’d been here before with Adam Reach on loan, but that was Matt Penney it seems!

 

I was just going to say the same - that’s exactly the type of experience we need. The “can he do it on a wet Tuesday night in Cardiff” type of player. Shrewd.

 

Get a good pre season into him and we might have another decent player on our hands.
Fresh start for the lad under a different training regime.
Good Luck to him hope he settles in quickly and yet again he's a permanent signing not a loan.