The four essential ingredients, according to Neil Shipperley, of any central defensive pairing worth its salt.

Shipperley, whose combative performances in a Sheffield United jersey during the club's promotion winning campaign in 2006 saw cult-hero status bestowed upon him by the Bramall Lane crowd, carved a career out of smashing opponents to smithereens.

Whether or not the 33-year-old would be able to bludgeon United's latest double act into submission is destined to remain a mystery.

Having retired from football in April following a brief spell with Brentford, Shipperley is now applying the knowledge gleaned from 14 seasons at the coalface to his work as a coach with Southern League part-timers Uxbridge.

But the former Chelsea, Southampton and Crystal Palace marksman's insight into the qualities required to frustrate the Championship's most prolific goalscorers suggests that Chris Morgan and Matthew Kilgallon are well-placed to succeed when United visit another of Shipperley's old clubs, Barnsley, tomorrow.

"For me, especially in the Championship, the old-school defenders win it every time," Shipperley told The Star. "They're the most effective.

"When I was playing I always regarded people like Gary Pallister and Tony Adams as proper defenders.

"John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho at Chelsea also.

"Carvalho is a strange one because when you look at him he's not the biggest but he's more than happy to go in for a 30/70 ball!

"Someone like Rio Ferdinand is technically very gifted but, as a forward, I always fancied myself against that type - the modern-day type of centre-half."

Morgan and Kilgallon have quickly emerged as two of the mainstays of the Kevin Blackwell era, featuring in every game since he returned to the club. as new manager last month.

On paper it seems a 'good cop, bad Cop' partnership - Kilgallon's David Herman to Morgan's Artie Lange - but the latter's willingness to join his teammate in the trenches has improved its effectiveness to such an extent that Blackwell now views them as two of the most important members of his squad.

Equally, an appreciation of their respective strengths and weaknesses have helped to strengthen the bond.

Two goals conceded in the last four games tells its own story. Shipperley believes Blackwell's determination to name a settled line-up will have helped their alliance flourish.

"Communication is an important part of being a centre-half," he said.

"The ones who communicate better are more difficult for forwards to play against and the only way you get that is by playing regularly," Shipperley continued.

"I still speak to Morgs and if you asked me to name my top side then he'd always be in it.

"Why? Because he scares people to death.

"Take someone like Fernando Torres at Liverpool.

"To come over here from abroad and score the number of goals that he has in his first season at Liverpool is nothing short of phenomenal.

READ MORE
Derby showdown all about us says Blackwell.
Good cop, back cop in Blades defence.
Sez Lez - Les Payne on Lionheart Luke Brennan
Football headlines.
Latest football gossip.
All sport categories.