Eddie Howe is adamant he does not ‘have an issue’ with Jonjo Shelvey after the Newcastle United midfielder apologised to fans after helping to beat Brighton, via the Northern Echo.
The Magpies stretched their unbeaten run to eight Premier League games with a 2-1 win at home to the Seagulls. Shelvey has started each match since Manchester City beat the Toon in December and also wore the captain’s armband for Saturday’s contest at St James’ Park.
Howe has now named Shelvey captain for Newcastle’s last three games as skipper Jamaal Lascelles sits on the bench. The 30-year-old has enjoyed a new lease of life since Howe took charge on Tyneside. But Shelvey struggled to repeat his recent levels against Brighton.
Shelvey has often run the show over Newcastle’s unbeaten run as Howe’s men edge nearer safety, yet not with Brighton. He sat in the holding role and produced a raft of tackles, but struggled to make use of the ball. Leading Shelvey to ‘apologise for my own performance’.
Howe adamant he does not ‘have an issue’ with Newcastle star Shelvey
While Newcastle managed to see out the win against Brighton after two early goals from Ryan Fraser and Fabian Schar, Shelvey firmly felt he could and should have offered more.
The 30-year-old spent more time in possession than any other Toon star, bar goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Yet Shelvey only completed 25 of 32 passes, per WhoScored. Brighton players also ran around the midfielder twice, as he failed with both attempted tackles.
Howe feels Shelvey was overly critical of his performance against Brighton, although his efforts were below the Newcastle star’s standards. The Magpies boss is also adamant he does not have an issue with him apologising, but preferred if he had kept it inside the club.
“I’ve got no problem with him expressing that in a good way,” he said. “Jonjo sets very high standards for himself, and I think he’s maybe been a little harsh on himself. I don’t have an issue with him. It probably wasn’t the game he wanted it to be and we wanted it to be.
“The result was, but [not] the actual manner of the performance. We probably didn’t see the best of Jonjo on the ball, which is probably his hallmark and best asset, which is probably where he was going with it. I like the accountability and responsibility.
“It shows the leadership of Jonjo. My own personal opinion is you’re probably better off keeping it internal. But if you feel the need to express that, then I’m not in a position to stop that and I wouldn’t want to stop that.”
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