Slow shambling team means inevitable defeat (9)
I believe the answer is:
checkmate
'inevitable defeat' is the definition.
'checkmate' can be an answer for 'defeat' (I've seen this in another clue). I am not sure about the 'inevitable' bit.
'slow shambling team' is the wordplay.
'slow' becomes 'check' (checking is a kind of slowing).
'shambling' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'team' with letters rearranged gives 'mate'.
'check'+'mate'='CHECKMATE'
'means' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for checkmate that I've seen before include "Inescapable attack in chess" , "you lose!" , "Winning call on board" , "The final winning move in chess" , "The final killer move in chess" .)