Mired in the depths of the relegation zone, Shrewsbury Town are desperate for any help that might come their way with a mere two points separating themselves from safety. With a poor scoring record, the Shrews are hoping to address that need before the transfer deadline.
Salop have been eyeing League Two options this window, and one that has caught their eye is Vadaine Oliver of Bradford City. The well-travelled striker is in the second year of his second stint at Valley Parade. Oliver has only had twelve appearances this season and has yet to have any goal contributions to his name.
His eighteen appearances total in the last two years is a steep drop off from his last stint with the Bantams when he made 30 appearances in the 2022/2023 season. It does appear that the last three seasons has seen his role diminished, and that is why Bradford City are surely agreeable to letting the 33-year-old forward leave.
Alan Nixon has revealed that Shrewsbury Town are closing in on signing the Bradford City striker on loan, and that Oliver is reportedly free to sort out the details to compete the transfer before the deadline tommorrow.
Will This Help Shrewsbury?
There is no doubt of the vast experience that Oliver has in the lower leagues having played anywhere from League One to the National League. This experience is always a valuable asset for a team that is looking to stay up in their current league. Not only would the veteran presence and leadership be helpful, but also, Oliver is a good candidate for a good target forward option. His height helps him win many aerial duels and flick the ball on for other attackers to latch on to the ball and score. The height advantage also means that he is dangerous on set pieces.
The issue is that the veteran is not the greatest passer of the ball, nor does he tackle well. He also has a somewhat spotty injury history, part of which led to his time at Fleetwood Town ending. His time at Bradford City has been marred by the lack of goals that occur when the 33-year-old is on the pitch. Shrewsbury Town are not exactly known for their scoring, so that might be something to keep an eye on.
Surplus as Bantam
As stated earlier, Oliver has seen a huge decrease in playing time in the last couple of seasons. This season it has been noticeable with Bradford City making a push for the playoffs. The Bantams are the fifth highest leading scorers in League Two. With the likes of Andy Cook and Alex Pattinson leading the charge at Valley Parade, it is hard to justify keeping a forward like Oliver who has not contributed to the scoring ledger in nearly three seasons no matter where he has played.
Shrewsbury Town desperately need help to try and keep themselves in League One. A fresh start might be exactly what Vadaine Oliver needs after a sustained dry spell on the scoresheet. If he can stay healthy, his skill set might help John Marquis improve his goal total which might be just enough to help get The Town to safety.
