By Stuart Dunn
Record signing Grant Holt will prove an excellent addition to the Shrewsbury Town squad, according to fellow Oteley Road new boy Mike Jackson.
The two proven higher division performers were this week unveiled as boss Paul Simpson’s latest captures of an increasingly exciting summer in the transfer market.
And Jackson, the 34-year-old defender who captained Blackpool in the Championship last season, has no doubts that striker Holt, snapped up from Nottingham Forest for a club record £170,000, will quickly prove his worth.
“I’ve played against Grant a few times at Forest and he was on loan at Blackpool at the end of last season, so I know quite a bit about him, what sort of player he is, and he’s a good acquisition,” said Jackson.
“I think he’ll score a lot of goals. He did that at Rochdale and, although he didn’t get much of a chance at Forest last year, he scored goals for them before that.
“I think he will get goals and he’ll hold the ball up and bring people into play which is a massive thing. If it keeps bouncing back all the time, you’ve not got much of a chance, so his hold-up play and link-up play will be an asset.”
Holt, 27, who has signed a three-year deal, is fully aware expectations will be high given the money invested in his services. The biggest fee Shrewsbury had previously paid was £100,000 to land John Dungworth from Aldershot in 1979 and Southampton defender Mark Blake 11 years later.
But the Cumbrian is relishing the challenge ahead and is pleased to have resolved his future.
“I spoke to the manager and chairman and they’ve got a good thing going here,” said Holt. “There’s always pressure when that kind of money’s been paid but I’ve just got to get on with the job.”
Holt added Simpson did a good job in “selling” the club and he’s looking forward to playing his part in an anticipated Town revival.
“I’ve got a few friends at Carlisle and I used to train there sometimes when I was back in the north,” he said. “I’ve seen Paul work and, as a Carlisle fan, I’ve seen a lot of his teams. When I came and met him here we had a good chat and it all sounded good.”
Simpson feels both Holt and Jackson will prove strong signings.