The Shackle/McNulty debate on radio Sheff

I'm with Whitey McNulty a much better player in the making, there were too many mistakes from Shackle in my opinion Foster is more settled with McNulty at the side of him.

 

Shackle for me at the moment but we'll see when Jimmy Mac as a season under his belt

 

Shackell

 

Really? Not having that one.. McNulty's a steady player but can't see him getting to nowhere near Shack's potential. You could see last season Shackell oozes class, best defender we've had in many-a-year. You've got to remember hasn't McNulty had bad injury problems in the past?

 

Lets compare fairly when McNulty has had a full season with us. Way too early to say who is better.

 

He looks class but unfortunately theres a reason why he's been playing for Donny,Barnsley and Derby and I can't agree about best defender in many-a-year.

 

Shackell for me. That's nothing against McNulty but I think Shackell is the better player.

Now Shackell AND McNulty would be the best partnership for me with Foster on the bench.

Just think how good we'd be if we weren't a selling club.


Steele

Hassell - Foster - McNulty - McEveley

O'Brien -Perkins - Butterfield - Hammill

Davis - Haynes

Subs: Muller, Foster, Howard, McIndoe, Bogdanovic

Top 6?

 

Shackell is the better player ability wise but as a partnership foster and MCnulty are miles ahead in terms of a solid partnership as they compliment each other well.

 

Think what the wage bill would be too.

 

I know, it would be pretty high. The question is would a wage bill that high (still nowhere near the wage bill of a few championship clubs) be worth it if it secured promotion?

 

I don't think Shackell does have better ability but but agree about the patnership

 

Don't get me wrong I don't think shackelks a world beater but he is as a player better than foster. Wouldn't say he was a million miles in front though.

 

no comparison Mcnulty has mutch the better attitude towards barnsley ,and makes a better partner for foster. I i would take him anyday over shackell, just watch who,s last off pitch every match because hes applauding fans, hes lovin it here.

 

Saturday was the first time I haven't shat myself when Jimmy got the ball.

Admittedly he played brilliantly but he's a long way to go before he can be properly compared to Shackell

 

Shackell oozed class as long as the ball was on the floor,in the air he's below average,we conceded a lot of goals last year that a central defender/captain should have made his own,everyone seemed to blame Foster..Hill..McEveley...Trippier..anyone
except our magnificent captain.

 

As classy as shackell was - we still shipped a lot of goals last year. Interesting to see derby have let in more goals than us this year - coincidence ? Possibly!

 

Personally speaking, I believe Shackell is the better player. However, the defence as a unit appears to be stronger with McNulty in it. Also, we may not have seen the best of McNulty yet.

 

It is a bit early in his career to make a fair comparison but McNulty on top form is as good as Shackell. And with loads of years ahead of him he can easily improve his consistency. I never thought Shackell was that great. A good player, he does have an air of class about him (although McNulty looks very composed), but he was average at defending, and I didn't rate his abilities as captain either. And as mentioned Jimmy has settled in with Foster well. I always got the feeling Shackell was a bit aloof. Thinks he is better than he is. Just a feeling though, don't know him at all. Jimmy looks like he is enjoying his time here too, I never got that from Shackell. So if it was a choice for me to make, it would be McNulty.

 

First time Ive been on there for a while. I got ASKED to call in by THEM though...?
Must have been desperate.
I know the score now though on there. You have to just talk and talk without any long pauses, like the Brian's and Mick's do every night.
So I just tried mentioning as many positives as I could. And for me McNulty with Foster is a big positive. You can have two of the best center halves ever, but a lot of partnerships dont work regardless.
And for me at least, our defence looks a lot better this year and there is only one change - when theyre all fit - and thats McNulty instead of Shackell.
He may not be better than greedy Jason (yet), but WE are better. And he's younger, versatile, and HE is more than happy to be at Oakwell playing for us..
He looks more and more composed, as he gains more experience at this level. A good center half usually seems to have lots of time on the ball, and he is that type of defender. I just wish our fans would stop moaning or grumbling whenever we play it backwards or around defence. No wonder he and Fozzy look nervous at times..
But I suppose its better we wait until May before passing judgement. And if he and the team continue to perform and pick up points at the current rate, then doubtless you will all have to come round to my way of thinking!
JIMMY JIMMY!

 

I know Shackell was held in high regard (which is why we were gutted he went and gutted he went for such a nominal fee to a poor side) but in retrospect I actually thing his leaving is one of the most important changes thats occurred. Shackell is an individual and a show pony that likes the limelight.

He over commits, he lunges at balls he doesn't marshall the defence, he makes the defence out of shape. I've been watching the goals that Derby have been conceding and he's often making a desperate lunge at the last or spinning round berating his colleagues or sprinting back because he was awfully out of position.

At first you admire his commitment for running hard, for putting in the last ditch tackle attempts. But it happens so much and so much down the left that it continually highlights his failings. He's a maverick and we're better off as a defence without him. Steeles playing better and Foster is playing better because they have more certainty and aren't having to second guess and cover for Shackell when he tries to win a ball that isn't there.

Centre halves are about partnership. And Shackell doesn't like sharing the limelight, so for me McNulty and Foster is a better option. I would have liked a few more quid for the show pony when he went mind you!!!