Which is what exactly? If anything our already slow play gets even slower when the ball reaches McDonnell. I'm not saying Shaul is currently a better player than him (pretty sure he will be though) but he certainly offers alot more value for money. Has he got 1 more year or 2?

Neither can I unfortunately and as things stand it would be a complete waste of salary cap to pay him off anyway.

From Pearsons article in the mail he was full of praise for Shaul, I like McDonnell but personally would like to see Shaul play there. As others have stated, you could move him on before next season and free up some cap for other areas of the field. Horne or Whiting give additional cover at fullback. We really need to strengthen the pack, while Paea is a great signing, another big nasty prop and second rower is needed.

yet another year when we release quality players and sign Joe average but fans are expected to follow like sheep, I thought Hetherington had left.

A back rower, Prop and 3/4 is a must.

FWIW, having watched McDonnell for a year, the link up play that he is credited with is largely a myth. More often than not, when the ball reaches him, rather than working to release those outside of him, he will step back inside and run along the face of the defence looking for an opening.

It has been particularly clear to Rovers fans this year having replaced him with Eden who does play as more of a pivot out wide.

I would agree with that, doesnt look like he can use the overlap created as well as other full backs - Eden, Tomkins, Hardaker etc.



But that is something Shaul isnt capable of either at the moment

That being said, I wouldn't say Shannon isn't capable of it. He does possess a high skill set, just seems prone to taking the wrong option. I'm not sure if he's done it in black and white yet but I lost count of the times he would take the ball at 1st receiver from a scrum, run wide and then get pushed straight into touch last year. However, compare that with his involvement in the Hodgson winner at the Etihad and its obvious he is capable of linking up play well.

I think the problem we have had, is that our halves stand too far from each other, so by the time it has gone through Miller to Holdsworth to McDonnell, there is little space left for him to create something with the Centre and Winger. He needs to be getting it with a good 20 metres room to work in, not 10 metres like he gets now

He had the same problems at Rovers, though, where as far as I'm concerned, we don't have much trouble getting the ball wide. McDonnell will always be prone to taking poor options, I think. It's just in his nature.

Pretty sure both are signed up until the end of next season. I thought at the time that Shaul was probably committing to until the end of McDonnell's contract to see where he stood then.

Stop it ,please my sides are aching "impact" Biggest impact he has made in the last 3 seasons is Gouldings head