I'm not throwing a fit or crying, and I haven't even played with them yet...I just think 1 slot is not enough, and 2 slots is the way to go.
Having only 4 on a map at once seems kind of low to me though...
Also, as a non-archer, I pretty much always defend them (and any other class) that gets nerfed because people are too stupid/stubborn to change their tactics/adapt to the battlefield.
I think they are too large for only 1 slot, and most dedicated melee (who aren't hybrids) such as 1h/shield, 2h or polearm, have 2 extra slots on them.
Maybe make a smaller version that is only 1 slot as well? Maybe make a 1 slot siege shield as well (aka a deployable pavise shield)?