Tom Flanagan discusses his future after leaving Sunderland on deadline day to join Shrewsbury Town, as he recently turned 30.
HITTING PRIME
“A lot of people say 30 and we’re kind of petering out but I’ve been lucky enough to play with some of the best centre-backs the Premier League has had when playing internationally and they’re hitting their prime at 28 or 33."
PERFORMANCES
“So I feel I can still hit higher heights in my performances. If we can get seven, eight or nine boys playing at eight or nine out of 10 and I’m one of them we’ll all reach the ultimate goal."
MINDSET
“I’m not saying I’m able to do this myself at all but my mindset is to take this to the next level, I’ve done it at Burton and I know what it takes. I’m fairly relaxed, sometimes that frustrates people, but that’s just my mannerism. I’m fairly good on the ball, a good one-on-one defender, a good communicator and organiser. I say what I see as I watch everyone else run around, being at the back."
100%
“It’s just about giving 100 per cent, that’s one thing leaving Sunderland I think they’d all say about me, is giving 100 per cent. I feel that’s important, a given really, I try to make it my main aim for every game."
PLAYING STYLE
“I like to take the ball out, take the ball off the keeper, I’m not too worried about pressure and things like that. I’m good with a game plan, so we learn how the manager wants to play for a certain game. I think that’s important at this level, a good structure and base at this level can take you a long way."
GOOD START
“I’ve had a really good start to the season, I feel. I think I played 26 games of 29, it’s been a good season. I hope I can keep my form into this half of the season and get us going in the right direction.”
TRANSFER
"It was fairly late on (in the window). On Sunderland’s behalf they didn’t know what they were doing but I knew that I wanted a little bit of security, I spoke with Alby (Aaron Wilbraham) and he sold the club to me. (They said) they’re pleased to have me and that I was the one they wanted, which is nice to hear. Sometimes in the world of football you’re part of a long list, if they don’t get the one they want then they go on to the next one. It was a nice feeling, nice to be wanted.”
