Newcastle held on to draw 1-1 against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has come under huge criticism this season as his performances prove time after time that he is a liability in the middle of the park.
The 25-year-old started and finished Newcastle’s 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, as Mo Diame’s opener was cancelled out by Luca Milivojevic’s penalty in the second half.
A late onslaught saw the Toon come under increasing pressure during the latter stages, in which James McArthur, Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha all missed glorious chances to score.
Former Liverpool and Swansea City midfielder Shelvey’s discipline has been a huge talking point among fans this season, and he showed against Palace just why he is costing the Toon points – albeit he got away with it on Sunday.
Replays showed the England international tugging away at McArthur’s shirt in the penalty area towards the end of the Toon’s draw, in what would have been a stonewall penalty if referee Andre Marriner had spotted the incident.
It is just the latest incident in which Shelvey’s lack of discipline has almost cost Newcastle Premier League points, as they enter a vital stage of the season in which they look to steer clear of a relegation dogfight.
Rafa Benitez ostracised Jack Colback this season, leaving him out of the 25-man squad in the summer before offloading him to Nottingham Forest on loan – and he should banish Shelvey in a similar way if he is to keep the Toon afloat.
Shelvey has not learnt from his prior mistakes and he will only cost the Toon more points if Benitez continues to use the £70,000-a-week midfielder.
Mikel Merino, Isaac Hayden and Diame may not be as good as Shelvey in terms of passing, but they will not cost the Toon points going into the second half of the season in the same, needless way Shelvey could. Benitez must give Shelvey the Colback treatment.
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