Genuine question: Do you think it's the case that Shelvey is the problem, or was he just the focus for the fans' anger? The reason I ask is that it's often the case that teams have players who frustrate the fans and who the fans blame for poor results. The facts don't always back up the opinions though. I believe, in our case, Paul Dummett is a bit like that in that we get frustrated with how he plays and yet in practice have a (slightly) better win percentage when he does play. In the case of Shelvey, you earned 1.1 points per game when he played and 0.75 points per game when he didn't. Just wondered why you think you're a better team when he is left out when your results are worse. Are there other factors that we wont know about, not following your club week in week out?
Poor Bri. Too much time on his hands to trawl back 4 years for a soundbite. I'm all warm inside now. #nojpfnotthat Still a top lad though.
Bit harsh on Shelvey comparing him to Dummett! He is literally the ****test LB I have ever seen. As a cb though he is not to bad!
At least he's a defender! I remember watching us go a full season playing a midfielder, Kenny Wharton, at left back - and even allowing for the differences in fitness levels in the game - Dummett is a world class left-back compared to him!! The point stands though that Dummett comes in for dog's abuse and yet our record is better when he is in the team (regardless of whether he is the reason for that or not). I think all groups of fans develop pre-conceptions of players and you could have two players put in exactly the same performance and one would be given a 3/10 because we noticed everything he did badly and the other would be given a 7/10 because we noticed everything they did well - even though both performances were 5/10. I sometimes think Dummett falls victim to this. I just wondered if Shelvey had fallen victim to this at Swansea. Totally agree that Dummett is a far better CB than LB though.
Ha ha I knew he wasn't good enough how on earth anyone thought otherwise I find absolutely astonishing. It's got to be Shelvey and tiote oohhh wait tiote is sold so we have **** pairing colback and shelvey will not work
Not the fans - for some reason Shelvey was idolised even when he could't be bothered and made impetuous tackles that led to goals. In fact he was teflonn as far as the vast majority were concerned. The flair up in Oxford was down to a very small group who had a more realistic view of player who could never cash the cheques his ego is writing. The kid is hurting and making a mountain out of a mole hill to cover up, he loves to be adored and for the most part he was. The points gained is largely skewed by late losses to Man City away and Man U away (Sunderland was a freak game). No matter how poor he'd been Monk always played him ahead of better players (or players who worked for their place) and that became an irritant and, following his return from the Internationals in the autumn he increasing argued with colleagues during games. Being dropped at City (as were other regulars) should have inspired him to buck up but he seems to have pouted instead, as was evident in his quite shocking performance at Palace. His attitude led to Palace withdrawing their interest and hence Jonjo has gone to you instead of his beloved London. In many ways I do feel sorry for him but he was given all the opportunity in the world at Swansea and adulation to boot.
I think Shelvey will probably end up getting on our fans' tits. I think he has enough talent to make it here but unfortunately, like many young footballers, won't have the desire to make it work. I will keep an open mind, though, and judge him on performances. The world is the oyster of any young footballer who comes to play for this club, if they realise that and work their arse off.
Just makes me think of the saying about there are three kinds of lies namely lies, damned lies and statistics. In order to look at Dummett's effect on the team (or anyone else's) you cannot just look at, for example, points per game with Dummett and points per game without Dummett. So many other variables come in to play such as opposition, who replaced Dummett, whether anyone was sent off etc. Agree Dummett is a decent defender but as a centre half as he is absolute garbage as a left back. That isn't based on statistics that's based on watching him and shouting at him.
Just popped £10 on Shelvey to score anytime. I have a feeling the lad will play today and play well. We need grit and determination and an ENGLISH heartbeat. Colback will come good and fit well alongside him. Despite what the bitter Mackems say they would love him in their side right now.
Don't write players off before they kick a ball for us Chaos. That's being too ****ing negative. Oh wait.
I've gone Mitrosexual 1st scorer with 888 triple odds about £150 made off a tenner so im delighted. Cancelled my overtime tonight