Newcastle have a dilemma over what to do with midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, as the former Liverpool player continues to divide opinion among fans.
Injuries caused him to miss a chunk of last season, but when he recovered, he found he could not force his way back into the side, or Rafa Benitez’s plans.
Had the Spaniard stayed on Tyneside, there was a strong likelihood that Shelvey would have been sold in the summer, but instead, it was Rafa who left.
Shelvey has scored Newcastle’s only goal of the season, albeit a consolation in the closing stages at Norwich, but his overall performance was somewhat below par.
However, there may be mitigating circumstances why that was, and it could have something to do with his midfield colleagues.
Against Arsenal the previous week, Shelvey was instrumental in everything that was good about the Magpies’ first half display, and almost scored a superb goal, but instead his shot cannoned off the post.
When he came off with an injury shortly after the interval, Newcastle lost their way, and never looked like the same team from the opening 45 minutes.
Shelvey plays better with young pairing alongside him
Sean Longstaff and Isaac Hayden played alongside Shelvey in that Arsenal game, but Longstaff was left on the bench in favour of Ki Sung Yueng for Norwich.
An therein could lie the problem for Steve Bruce.
Longstaff and Hayden play so well together, that Shelvey had the confidence to play with more freedom, and slightly more advanced.
When Ki played at Carrow Road, Shelvey spent a lot of the time covering for the South Korean, and was unable to play his usual game as a result.
There is no doubt, a free-flowing Jonjo Shelvey, spraying passes to every corner of the pitch, makes Newcastle a better side.
If Longstaff is restored to the starting lineup at Tottenham on Sunday – as is likely – then Shelvey must retain his place.
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