After jumping around like a mad man and digesting another great result and diligent performance, I took time to reflect on certain individual displays and despite being a fan of them personally, I believe we've come to the end of the road with certain players.
One of them for me is Jonjo Shelvey who I've been an admirer of since his early days in the Premier League, as he is a player who can read the game and like a snooker player knows his next two moves. A great striker of the ball and has brilliant vision which on a couple of occasions this afternoon was proved. However these occasions are becoming less and less, and it seems he has lost that ability to consistently see that pass and I have been really disappointed how poor he's been in possession of the ball these last eight months. I can understand why Steve Bruce plays him even though there are strong calls from the faithful to leave him out, as he is a senior figurehead who can produce a moment. Going into next season however we need a new central midfielder who can play in that 'quarter back' role but also has the legs to get across the pitch, as that is an area of Jonjo's game where he really suffers. Whether it be mental or physical it seems as if he's not the same player we signed in 2016 where he produced brilliance in certain games and showed why he was being scouted by England Managers at the time. At the age of just 28 we should still be seeing that player and it is difficult for me to say this as I have been a fan of this lad since he first made his senior debut at Anfield for the Reds back in 2010.
It will be interesting to see what does happen with Jonjo as he is a player who Steve Bruce likes and if Steve is still there next season, so will Jonjo and the frustration will grow in the stands once fans are back if his poor displays continue. If we do take a different direction with a different coach, and a young one who sets his team up to press from the front such as the modern way is, I can't see Jonjo being involved. There are moments where Jonjo can give us something but the way the game is going and with the velocity only increasing, I fear our midfield will continue to struggle if the club don't make certain changes. Despite some criticism directed my way for calling for Matty Longstaff, I saw moments today where our midfield looked flat and couldn't close that extra yard of space which young legs can provide.
I will say though that Jonjo Shelvey has natural ability on the ball and has rare range in his passing. He has had injuries and has been sidelined for periods of his Newcastle career, but there will be moments such as his last minute leveler against Manchester City in 2019 that will be remembered. Although signing an extended two year deal, if he was to leave under new management I would wish him the best as he was a key part in our survivals along with promotion since he walked through the door.