Newcastle fans are looking for more from Jonjo Shelvey

by John McGinley share

1 minute read 5/2/2018 | 06:30am

Newcastle United are hovering perilously above the English Premier League relegation zone after failing to win again on Sunday, this time away to fellow relegation candidates Crystal Palace.

The Magpies took the lead in the game thanks to Mohamed Diame, but a Luka Milivojevic penalty early in the second half was enough for the home side to secure a point.

Rafa Benitez’s side sit in 16th place in the table, just a point above the bottom three. With a difficult match next week at home to Manchester United, it’s a worrying time for supporters who dread dropping back down into the Championship.

One player fans would like to see better performances from is Jonjo Shelvey, who failed to have a meaningful impact on the match against Crystal Palace.

Some are now calling for the likes of Mikel Merino to replace him in Benitez’s starting eleven, believing that Shelvey just isn’t getting the job done and in some respects is a liability.

Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his Sunday performance…

I’m sick of him constantly trying the Hollywood pass. When we are under pressure we need to calm things down and just keep the ball but he keeps trying hard balls and giving it away

— Mark Nelson (@markytoonlad) February 4, 2018

Didn’t realise he was playing till he tried his best to pull the Palace players shirt off and give another penalty away near the end. Another player awol like Gayle and Ritchie.

— David Cuthbertson (@DavidCuth1982) February 4, 2018

Murphy and Merino need to start next game. Shelvey offering nothing at the minute and Ritchie is a shadow of last season. Fingers crossed Slimani has brought his shooting boots up north because Gayle sucks balls #NUFC

— Alex Coppin (@A_J_C92) February 4, 2018

I often see people/pundits lauding Jonjo Shelvey for his vision, but he's misplaced more passes than I can remember when an easier pass is on. Added to that his illdiscipline, and stupidity – he's nearly cost us another penalty today.
Merino to take hold of that spot. #NUFC

— Kevin Doocey (@KevinDoocey) February 4, 2018

What is shelvey thinking about pulling shirts in the box after we have already conceded a pen from the same thing 🙈#nufc

— dean parker (@deanparker1892) February 4, 2018

It’s literally like we want to get relegated. We cannot keep blaming Mike Ashley for players like Jonjo Shelvey who is a fucking liability – we need to play better if we want to stay up. A draw is not good enough! #NUFC #Newcastle

— Katie Middleton (@katiemidd90) February 4, 2018

Shelvey has created nothing. Absolutely nothing #NUFC

— Sean (@sehol) February 4, 2018

Shelvey is such a liability. Could have easily been a 2nd pen there #nufc

— James Stewart (@thelonelyrobot) February 4, 2018