New recruit Ryan Finnigan chatted to the Shrewsbury Town media team following his first day training with the squad.
The midfielder joined us on loan from Southampton on deadline day to strengthen the options available to head coach Matt Taylor.
Ryan actually made his Saints debut against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup two years ago. He then went on to enjoy a successful loan spell at Crewe last year.
On joining Shrewsbury:
“I’m very happy. It’s been a hectic time – especially last week. But I’m very glad to be here.
“Everyone has been very, very, good to me. It seems like a very good football club.
“My situation at Southampton was a bit up in the air with different things happening.
“But I heard of Shrewsbury’s interest on deadline day and thankfully we got it done quickly.
“I naturally wanted to get a move into League One and I think this is the perfect fit.”
On his aims:
“I just want to improve as a player. I just want to get better.
“Initially I have to break into the team, I can do that by performing on the training pitch.
“The first aim is to get into the team and then put in performances that help us get wins.”
On his 2022/23 campaign and loan to Crewe:
“It was an interesting one.
“I had a few injuries – I was injured at the start of the season.
“But thankfully I got over that. I had a few experiences in the Southampton first team under Nathan Jones who was very, very, good to me.
“I learnt a lot in that period of time.
“Then I had a very good experience at Crewe last season.
“I played some good minutes and got some good experience of first-team football.”
On making his Southampton debut against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup:
“That was a while ago now.
“I was quite young at the time but to go out and play first-team was amazing.
“I didn’t get too many minutes in that one but it was still a great experience.”
On being on the bench for Southampton in the Premier League:
“I joined Southampton at the age of eight so to finally get that taste of what it’s really about, full stadiums, coming up against top players – it was a great experience.
“It gave me added inspiration and determination to get to that level one day.”
On his style of play:
“I’m a versatile player. Over the past couple of years I’ve played in a few different positions.
“I personally think my best position is in midfield.
“I feel like I’m a hardworking, tackling, midfielder. But I can also play as well. I enjoy getting on the ball and creating stuff.
“I’d like to score more than I did last year.
“The manager has got his ways in which he wants me to fit in. I’m happy to do that whether that means getting forward and helping the attack or playing in the pivot role.
“Wherever I play I’ll give my all for the team and the manager.”
