TOON HAVE GOT A CAGED TIGER IN THEIR TANK
STEVE BRUCE says Jonjo Shelvey has returned from lockdown ‘like a caged tiger that has been released’. Newcastle United’s boss is purring, having seen the response from his enigmatic midfielder to the enforced break in the Premier League season.
Shelvey was enjoying life under Bruce – producing some of the best football of his career – as the penny finally appeared to have dropped.
The former
Liverpool man,
28, has always had the ability and has six
England caps to his name. Doubts remained, however, about whether his maturity matched his quality.
But the Toon chief believes that could be changing as he said: “Whatever Jonjo has been doing during lockdown, one thing’s for certain – he hasn’t been messing around. He’s in great shape.
“He’s been like a caged tiger that we have set free for the first time.
“He’s absolutely flying. I’ve been delighted with him.
“Everyone knows what a good footballer he is. There’s no argument on that one.
“Anyone who has watched him from afar can see the quality he has.when you get up close and see him play on a daily basis, it only confirms that he is a player with exceptional talent.
“As far as natural ability goes, he has got it by the bucketload.what has been up for debate is his temperament.
“From afar you do make a judgement but it’s different when you work with someone.
“He’s proving me wrong on that one.and I’m delighted to be proved wrong.
“He’s settled down with his family. He has been terrific. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
But the Magpies’ manager did strike a note of caution, saying that Shelvey should not be using this praise to rest on his laurels – but to kick on.
He added: “You never want to say this as a manager because it can slap you in the face if you say it about the wrong player, but I do think he’s matured.
“It’s partly reflected in the statistics. Leading up to the break, he had five goals and a few assists.with 10 matches left that’s not a bad return.
“Can he make that seven, eight or nine during the remainder of the matches?
“I hope so. How many midfielders are doing that in the Premier League? Having said all of that, the challenge
TOBY KING has promised to make world superstar Greg Inglis realise he’s got a fight on his hands when he arrives atwarrington.
England Knights star
King has been copping stick off team-mates who say he’ll lose his centre spot to Aussie legend Inglis, who is coming out of retirement to join thewolves next season.
But the 23-year-old, who is in England coach Shaun for Jonjo is that he shouldn’t be happy with staying at a level that marks him down as a very good player.
“He should be aiming to become an exceptional player. He has the time left to do that.”
Despite the ongoing delay over the Premier League giving Amanda Staveley’s Saudi Arabian consortium the go-ahead to assume control from Mike Ashley, some decisions are being taken by the current regime.
The Magpies have not given up their fight to keep hold of Matty Longstaff, the academy graduate who is out of contract this summer.
They are keen to put a fresh contract in front of the midfielder to prevent
Udinese from snaring him on a free transfer.
Rumours are rife that the Serie A club would then flip his registration during the next window and sell
Longstaff on to Watford, who also come under the ownership of the Pozzo family.
Andy Carroll and Javier Manquillo are also out of contract at the end of this month and the club is working to ensure they are available for the rest of the campaign.
Wane’s thoughts for next year’s World Cup, insists he’s excited rather than intimidated.
He said: “I have got to look at the positives.we’ve got the best centre in the world coming to our club, so I’m going to look forward to learning off him and enjoy it.”