Eddie Howe has heaped praise on Jonjo Shelvey following his first 10 days on Tyneside.
The new boss has revealed how impressed he’s been with his range of passing in training, saying he didn’t quite realise what an “incredible technician” he was.
As a result, Howe has declared that the midfielder will be “very important to us” moving forward, suggesting that his ability to play a wide range of passes will see him makes him ideal for the style of play he’s aiming to deliver.
Here’s what the 43-year-old’s had to say about Shelvey in this morning’s press conference:
“I knew how good he was having played against him.
“But then when you work with him you realise he’s an incredible technician and can play all sorts of passes, long and short.
“He’s someone who I’ve looked at.
“In terms of our philosophy and how we want to play, he’ll be very important to us.”
Interesting comments from Howe and some that may actually surprise a fair few Newcastle fans, with many wondering if his days would be numbered now we have a manager that demands 100% effort.
You say that fans were wondering if his time was up. That’s just the opinion of that small number of fans who can’t differentiate between his body language and his actual performance, or his previous discipline record and his current.
Shelvey is the only “technical” player that we have.
The rest are a combination of blockers and booters with a sprinkling of headless chickens up front – with the possible exception of Wilson.
I look forward to a Newcastle team playing to Shelvey’s strengths, and no – I don’t mean 40 yard raking cross filed passes.
Helen Clarey(Quote)