Has taken up a much more significant midfield role, a role he has always excelled in with limited minutes but has really grabbed it this time. Very similar story to Parish, another natural inside midfielder, drafted as an inside midfielder and then played as a HF because he's got decent size and they're paying Shiel so much they have to force feed him midfield minutes.
The question is if they realise that having a guy who can't kick, doesn't work both ways reliably and is a reluctant tackler has been a big problem the past couple of years and that said player is holding back the development of more talented guys who can and do do all those things instead.
It's a big test for Rutten, does the tail wag the dog and they play Shiel in the midfield because he's got a huge contract and the football department likes him or do they keep Langford and Parish there because they're just much better players. Interestingly I actually think Shiel can be a decent forward as well, the kicking is a bit easier up there and his other issues would be somewhat hidden but it's a tough move for him I'm sure.
The question is if they realise that having a guy who can't kick, doesn't work both ways reliably and is a reluctant tackler has been a big problem the past couple of years and that said player is holding back the development of more talented guys who can and do do all those things instead.
It's a big test for Rutten, does the tail wag the dog and they play Shiel in the midfield because he's got a huge contract and the football department likes him or do they keep Langford and Parish there because they're just much better players. Interestingly I actually think Shiel can be a decent forward as well, the kicking is a bit easier up there and his other issues would be somewhat hidden but it's a tough move for him I'm sure.
But you hit the nail on the head.. big test for Rutten and probably a defining one for the bombers’ chances of a premiership run in the next few years.