Stoke City: Shawcross will learn from England experience, says Pejic
FORMER Stoke and England defender Mike Pejic says Ryan Shawcross will learn plenty from his tough international debut in Sweden last night.
Shawcross became the first Stoke player to appear for England for 28 years when he came on as a 74th-minute substitute in Stockholm.
But just three minutes after coming on as a substitute, he allowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to get in behind him on the edge of the area before the striker went through to level at 2-2.
Pejic, from Chesterton, who won four caps for his country, said: "It was a sucker punch and a bit of naivety. I was surprised because Ryan is used to playing against players like Suarez, Aguero and Tevez – players who can make these types of runs and spins.
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"Ibrahimovic is experienced and a very clever player. His movement for that goal was perfect.
"But as a defender you don't want to give him the opportunity so Ryan should have dropped another yard and not given Ibrahimovic the chance to get in behind him."
The strike was part of a masterclass by Ibrahimovic who scored all four goals in Sweden's 4-2 victory.
Pejic, pictured, added: "He'd earlier got down the outside of Steven Caulker and got in a shot because Caulker had got too tight and made it too easy."
However, Pejic believes Shawcross can stay in the squad.
He hopes Hodgson will look at the player's overall club form rather than one mistake as a substitute on his international debut.
Pejic added: "It's part of the experience and this is how you learn. Sometimes it is from positive things, sometimes from unfortunate ones.
"Ryan Shawcross has moved ahead of Michael Dawson for England and I also think he is ahead of Joleon Lescott because he isn't in the Manchester City team.
"So there's Gary Cahill, Steven Caulker, Phil Jagielka and Ryan Shawcross.
"Ryan is only 25 and is part of a defence at Stoke that has only conceded once in five home games this season."
Lifelong Stoke fan Angela Smith, who is a member of the Stoke City Supporters' Council said:
"I am delighted for Ryan.
"Mark Chamberlain was the last Potter in the England side in 1984 and there were times I honestly didn't think I'd see a Stoke City player ever play for England again."
MICHAEL BAGGALEY
Comments
by Darren1810
Thursday, November 15 2012, 9:41AM
“Neymar for you next Ryan ha ha , one cap wonder, good premier league player but NOT an international”