Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has come out and said some surprising things about Newcastle’s central midfielder Jonjo Shelvey today.
Jonjo has been showing some very good form of late and his performance in the 1-0 win against Manchester United is the best we’ve ever seen Jonjo play in a Newcastle shirt – and it was against top opposition.
Merson would like to have seen Jonjo Shelvey (and Brighton striker Glenn Murray too) in the England squad that plays against the Netherlands and Italy over this International break.
England won 1-0 last night in Amsterdam and they play Italy at Wembley on Tuesday night.
Jonjo Shelvey – wants him tested by England
This is some of what Paul Merson has written in the Star today:
“I would like to have seen Jonjo Shelvey and Glenn Murray in the England squad for both of these internationals.”
“Neither of them has any chance of going to the World Cup now but I think they both deserved a chance to stake a claim.”
“Shelvey deserves a chance. No-one else passes the ball like him. He has the best range in the league in my opinion. Even Jack Wilshere doesn’t have his passing range.”
“I know people say he’s a loose cannon but put him in the squad and let him play against the Italians.”
They’re, biggest wind-up merchants in football, and if he loses his head, see you later. I think it’s a shame he’s not being given the chance to prove he can handle it.”
The big negative on Jonjo is his temperament and the club and Rafa himself have been trying to help him this season.
It may be working but we will only know that if he cuts out his lapses in concentration on the field when he can do some stupid things.
If he can overcome his demons he’s likely to become a top player for Newcastle and possibly for England too.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
NUFC News 24/7 
20 comments so far
lochinvar
Mar 24, 2018 at 9:26 AM
Comment #1Idle hack chatter about Dubravka and Merino tagged with “ depends on what league we’re in next season” is lazy day journalists trying to justify their existence. Might as well write about all players from all teams in the lower half of the Premiership.
Yawn.
Lindisfarne
Mar 24, 2018 at 9:28 AM
Comment #2I actually think Southgate is building a team rather than a group of individuals and although Shelvey has excellent technical quality he is not consistent, reliable and has presumably missed his opportunity to play in the national squad. Plus, what do TV pundits know? When has one actually become a high level manager?
Lindisfarne
Mar 24, 2018 at 9:29 AM
Comment #3Surprised Dubravka does not have a house and car yet.
Jib
Mar 24, 2018 at 9:34 AM
Comment #4Zlatan signs for LA Galaxy
🙂
Another day-dream out the window
TyneMouth
Mar 24, 2018 at 9:43 AM
Comment #5Jib, @ 8.44pm
“Tynemouth has a pop at a fellow poster
who makes a disrespectful comment about
the team on Wearyside
mmmmm
velly interesting”
Jib, ‘has a pop!’ dear me, what ever next.
’twas merely a flippant throw away remark, sorry if I inadvertently hit a nerve.
However, to then accuse me of embracing makem sympathies, you disappoint me, come on, you can do better than that…
Jib
Mar 24, 2018 at 9:56 AM
Comment #6lochinvar
Idle hack chatter about Dubravka and Merino tagged with
“ depends on what league we’re in next season”
is lazy day journalists.
It was actually said in an interview on Thai tv
More worringly he may have picked up an injury playing
against UAE
He plays again today vs Thailand
https://www.cas.sk/clanok/673072/uprimne-priznanie-martina-dubravku-toto-mu-museli-urobit/
Why oh why do NUFC goalies have such a hard time
on international duty ?
Jib
Mar 24, 2018 at 9:58 AM
Comment #7TyneMouth
Yeah getting accused of stuff is a
horrible feeling isn’t it ?
Think on that
jane
Mar 24, 2018 at 10:18 AM
Comment #8new 6 team play-offs in National league starting this season looks a good format.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40233762
jane
Mar 24, 2018 at 10:24 AM
Comment #9we should sign Usain Bolt
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43519990
jane
Mar 24, 2018 at 10:26 AM
Comment #10and Lewis Hamilton..
“Hamilton said: “..I am so happy with that lap. I am always striving for perfection and that was as close as I can get.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/43525115
jane
Mar 24, 2018 at 10:46 AM
Comment #11Newcastle United Foundation 10th anniversary
https://nufoundation.org.uk/about-us/who-we-are/
Jail for Ashley
Mar 24, 2018 at 12:00 PM
Comment #12Stop being silly Jane!
Jail for Ashley
Mar 24, 2018 at 12:10 PM
Comment #13Lindisfarne,
Maybe he doesn’t like the idea of driving on the other side of the road yet?
bettyswallocks
Mar 24, 2018 at 12:12 PM
Comment #14I have to say I was quite impressed with England last night. They did look more like a team and passed the ball guickly and confidently. Rose was a bit disappointing with his final delivery after getting in some promising positions , but with Kane back we will look half decent.
The little Dutch mascot made me chuckle during the National Anthem when she put her tongue out and gave the V’s . How cute was that.
bettyswallocks
Mar 24, 2018 at 12:14 PM
Comment #15On another topic, what was Corbyn doing with the silly Russian hat on? A bit insensitive to say the least with all that’s going on.
AncientC
Mar 24, 2018 at 12:22 PM
Comment #16G’day, betty. A little something to help you kickstart your day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVmmYMwFj1I
Jail for Ashley
Mar 24, 2018 at 12:29 PM
Comment #17swallocks,
I’m no Corbyn fan nor am I against him but
“The original photo showed Mr Corbyn at a fares protest at King’s Cross Station in 2016″”
Give it a rest will you.
AncientC
Mar 24, 2018 at 12:43 PM
Comment #18You have to laugh when you compare the recent Newsnight background with this one: https://twitter.com/corbynforpm/status/975868262927011840
I was just reading VAR is being installed into the PL next season, but they will not be using it until the following season. It should make for some interesting reading to see which teams get the most wrongful decisions go their way. I wonder just how many titles Man Utd would have won under Alex Ferguson, were all decisions made precisely. The old Fergie time wasn’t just a myth.
AncientC
Mar 24, 2018 at 12:49 PM
Comment #19‘The Times revealed this month that the Premier League was likely to delay the implementation of VAR for another year and that remains the mood at the majority of the clubs before a planned vote on the issue on April 13.
The 20 clubs could still spring a surprise by voting to introduce VAR at next month’s Premier League shareholders’ meeting, although with 14 votes required to make such a change an extensive testing programme is considered the most likely outcome. Crystal Palace, Stoke City and Huddersfield Town all have reservations against greater use of technology and even several of the clubs in favour, such as Swansea City, believe that it should be delayed.’
Palace and Stoke must be doing okay overall in regards to decisions, why else would they have a problem with using VAR. I am not really sure how anybody can argue against it.
Moonraker15
Mar 24, 2018 at 3:16 PM
Comment #20Re VAR
I’m in favour but agree it should be delayed in the Prem until they agree on certain points.
Eg; the limitation of its use; when the game can be stopped; refs decision is final etc, etc.