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Caulkin: Shelvey is a liability

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George Caulkin has criticised Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey for his performance against Brighton on Saturday evening. 

The 27-year-old put in a lacklustre display during the 0-0 stalemate with the Seagulls, and reliable reporter Caulkin did not mince his words when evaluating his display.

Writing in a Q&A for the Athletic, responding to a comment suggesting that Shelvey should be dropped, he said: “I tend to agree with you. He’s a liability when he plays like that.

“Gave the ball away constantly today, putting the team under needless pressure.

“He’s talented but it just doesn’t work.”

Should Shelvey be dropped?

On the basis of yesterday’s performance, yes.

The 27-year-old was poor from start to finish, and offered very little in terms of solidity in the centre of the park.

Partnered with Isaac Hayden in the engine room, in a game as gritty as yesterday’s it should have fallen to Shelvey to put himself about a bit and make his presence known.

But in his four Premier League appearances he has managed just 0.5 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per match, as per Whoscored, and that lack of defensive contribution was telling.

Compared to Hayden, who has averaged 3.7 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game, as per Whoscored, Shelvey looked like a ghost out there on Saturday evening, and it was his unwillingness to roll his sleeves up and dig in that was most disappointing of all.

Obviously, on his day, he is a fine player, and his range of passing makes him a prized asset for the Magpies, when he can find his rhythm.

But he hasn’t been able to hit those heights this season, and so far his return of 78.2% pass completion just isn’t high enough [Whoscored] for a player who has previously been hailed by pundits like Paul Merson as one of the best passers of the ball in the country.

An average of 1.8 key passes is decent (Hayden has 0.7), but unless he can start turning in the assists, he will continue to look ineffectual and ultimately frivolous in the centre of the park.

The Toon Army cannot afford any passengers this season, but thus far, Shelvey has done nothing.

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