Scott Wharton

Every year we have a victim of circumstance. In the National League, it was Callum Howe. We signed Sean Raggett late on and that meant a spell out of the side for Howe. The year after it was Sean Long, relegated to the bench despite his excellent pre-season form thanks to a certain Neal Eardley.

this year it appears as though Scott Wharton is the unlucky man. When he joined on loan there was little doubt he’d be playing every week. His left-sided position gave him the edge over some of our other defenders and his ability was second to none. ‘Better than Sean Raggett’ was one quote I heard and whilst that is a close run thing, it could easily be argued to be right.

Then Luke gets his big move and out of nowhere, Jason Shackell arrives. He’s an experienced winner, a player with organisational skills, vision and a mean header. Crucially, he’s left-sided.

Since then, the man who Blackburn fans wanted to see in their first team picture hasn’t featured. It is a cruel blow, both for Wharton and to a degree for us as well. How would it be possible to break up the Bostwick and Shackell partnership, a duo arguably more suited to League One football? We could go three at the back, which was perhaps the intention a few weeks ago, but 4-4-2 or variations thereof has proven to be far more effective. 

Whether it is the tactical approach or the former Derby man arriving, Scott Wharton has found himself to be one who keeps missing out.

Will there be a recall in January? We saw it with Ginnelly and Dickie last season, but losing Wharton would be a huge blow to the squad. it is an interesting situation I suspect will run and run.