Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie believes the quality of Jonjo Shelvey is starting to tell, with Newcastle struggling to create sufficient chances in his absence.
Shelvey is yet to make an appearance for the Magpies this season after suffering a hamstring injury in a pre-season friendly against Benfica.
Eddie Howe did state recently, however, that the 30-year-old was back on grass and “looking in good physical condition,” which is no doubt encouraging for the English head coach.
Meanwhile, Bruno Guimaraes has been ‘off colour’ when taking up Shelvey’s deeper role in the Newcastle midfield.
Downie is of the impression that the tactical tweak has taken away from the Toon’s ability going forward and believes the difference without Shelvey is striking.
He told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s amazing. The longer these performances go on, where they’re struggling to create, the more you think, you know what, this team actually misses Jonjo Shelvey.
“With Shelvey in there last season, just sitting and taking the ball off the defence, he was actually allowing Bruno to push on and get involved and get up and score goals.
“I don’t think he’s had a goal or an assist yet this season. On Saturday he was played in a more defensive holding role that Shelvey would normally do.”
Newcastle are currently in tenth place but are without a win since the opening day of the campaign.
They have only managed one goal from open play in their last three games and their tally of eight is the joint-lowest in the top half of the table.
With 20 appearances under Howe last season, Shelvey ranked second among midfielders for matches played and was hailed for his “turnaround” in form during the second half of the campaign by former West Ham man Frank McAvennie.
He averaged the second most passes per game in the side (WhoScored) last term as Bruno flourished with five goals and an assist.
Without a direct goal involvement so far in this campaign, perhaps the Brazilian is feeling the effects of Shelvey’s absence as Downie referenced.
