NEW signing Michael Shenton may have only been in training a few weeks, but is already enjoying the bond between his teammates and the prospect of a successful 2011.
The 24-year-old joined the Saints from Castleford Tigers with the daunting task of replacing Matt Gidley in the centres.
But the England International is not worried about the expectation placed on him because of the illustrious previous incumbents of his position.
“It is pretty scary when you think of the guys who have worn this Saints shirt before me,” he told The St Helens Star. “I have really not got to think about that – just think about my own game and how I can improve that and keep working hard and get better.
“Already I am working on fresh skills to sharpen my game up. There is no good trying to emulate those guys. They were so gifted – probably just freaks in a way.”
Shenton scored 93 tries in 153 appearances for Castleford in a seven-season career and that made him not only a sought after commodity domestically; it also earned him an England cap.
He suffered ruptured ankle ligaments at the beginning of the Four Nations campaign and after intense rehab looks set to injury free at the beginning of the 2011 season.
“The boys and coaching staff really made me feel at home straight away,” he continued. “They are a good set of lads – right up my street because when it comes down to the hard work they knuckle down and get on with it.
“Knowing the England boys was a big part in why I chose Saints – but I also want to be winning trophies and getting to finals.
“It was tough leaving Cas. I have got some great memories of the place and made a lot of friends there but I am ready for a change and St Helens is the club for me.
“It is not just that St Helens is so famous – it is also the new start, new coach, new ground and training facilities so I could not really have picked a better time to come over. The other guys have said there is a little bit of a fresh buzz about the place. Everyone is pumped up and ready to go.
“So far there has been a big emphasis on defence in training because we want to get back to being top dogs on that front again after dropping off in last couple of years.
“The guys want to get better. If we want to win the trophies we have got to be able to do the hard stuff, and defence is just that and that is a massive part of the pre-season programme.”
