OPINION
Jonjo Shelvey is close to going from hero to zero at Newcastle having failed to play a part in their recent Premier League success, and Saturday against Watford really drove that reality home. The midfielder was a second-half substitute for Rafa Benitez in their 1-1 draw against the Hornets, but looked disinterested and lazy during his 20-minute cameo. Shelvey was previously one of the first names on the teamsheet for Benitez on Tyneside, but he has recently struggled to get himself into the manager’s thinking after a couple of injury issues. The form of Ki Sung-yueng saw him confined to the bench, but even now that the South Korea international is away at the Asian Cup, Shelvey is still failing to impress for the Magpies. Obviously it will take him some time to recover from his latest injury, but more is expected from a player with more talent than most in this Magpies squad. Saturday’s performance simply was not good enough.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets below.
Blame that result on shelvey
— Ethan (@Ethan_Bambrough) December 29, 2018
Good performance from Newcastle there, shame Shelvey cost us 3 points but a draw was seen as a good result before kick off. #nufc
— Adam Dickson (@adamdickson84) December 29, 2018
Shelvey doesn’t put enough effort in for me. #watnew
— Martin Brown (@Marts_NUFC) December 29, 2018
Two points dropped. Shelvey ballwatching. Gutted. #NUFC
— smiley (@smiley_nufc) December 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/KyleMF1/status/1079058224979030016
Shelvey is a total disgrace. Thinks he’s way better than he is.
— mark nicols (@marknicols) December 29, 2018
Shelvey’s laziness and inability to sniff danger are why he’ll never make it at the top level.
— Callum Robinson (@Robinson_Callum) December 29, 2018
To be honest I’d take that point all day long. Didn’t think we’d get anything. However – Shelvey has cost us the 3. Such poor lazy defending from him. #nufc
— mark nicols (@marknicols) December 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/wor_Nufc/status/1079056925503950850
Is the swap deal for Shelvey still on? Most overrated #NUFC player in years!
— Dave Parish (@paz_parish) December 29, 2018
Shelvey is a liability, a luxury we cannot afford.
— Waaatson (@paul_taylor1) December 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/simondopp/status/1079055507833253888