Yes, I think he means exactly like that. That's how I'd see it too. McGrath, Shipperley and Allison were all at the ends of their career, just like Jags is. McGrath was an exceptional footballer - possibly one of the greatest footballers ever to pull on a Sheffield United shirt. But...he was totally crocked by the time we got him. He didn't train all week and you couldn't play him in two consecutive matches because his knees wouldn't stand up to it. But - in the games that he did play he was a calming influence at a time when we definitely needed one. He was however, only a bit-part player.
Shipperley was brought in as a bit-part player by Warnock, and sure enough he played a bit-part for us. He was hopelessly unfit and overweight, but using him as a bit-part player paid dividends, because whilst he may have lost his fitness he still had the knack of "right-place", "right-time", and used sparingly he made a good contribution to the team and became a bit of a crowd favourite. After all, it's not often fans on the terraces can have someone to adore that looks no fitter than most of them.
And similarly with Allison. His appointment brought groans of despair as we all thought he was finished after a long career up the road at Huddersfield, in which he'd really been an icon of clumsiness and awkwardness, in a very ordinary pubby sort of team. We wondered what on earth he would contribute to the team, other than height and a bit of brawn. And the answer was - not much. He was another bit-part player brought in to stand with his back to goal and jump up in the air and head it backwards for Peschisolido to chase after it. And that's just about all he did - but he did it well.
And so to Jagielka then...
You've made the comparisons yourself to McGrath, Shipperley and Allison. Only I suspect you've made these to try and prove some kind of point that these old players at the end of their career still have something to give. And you're right. But, as I hope I've managed to point out, what they have to give at that stage of their career is limited and if we can afford to bring them in, knowing that they will only have a bit-part to play, and we, and they, are happy with that, then...I don't have a problem with it. But, if you ask me what I'd prefer, I'd prefer for us to get a good experienced centre half with another 7 to 10 years of their career in front of them. Someone who wants to do well and achieve more in the game - not someone who's been there and got the t-shirt already and is winding down to retirement.
I suspect McCabe's comments are about Jagielka. It's the kind "Bladey" thing that McCabe thinks is great! I've no doubt that McCabe would love him back here so that he can go and tell his foreign cronies, on his business trips, that, "Hey! - Did you know we've got an England football Captain playing for us now?". That would have McCabe purring like a kitten with a saucer full of milk.
But is it what we need?
I forgot about all of the experts on here.
