Most of all Shelvey reminded me of Stefan Effenberg, when he was in his peak playing for Bayern Munich. The attitude, the vision, the long passing and the obvious madness in his eyes! Shelvey under Laudrups guidance --> he's bound to be a legend, not just for Swansea, but also for England XI - he could become a World class player as I mentioned Effernberg and the likes of him before...
Still slightly raw around the edges but what a range of passes he can make , quickens & alters the attacking threat in an instant I put my hands up I was under whelmed by his signing but for his pure desire last night & work rate and his preseason theres a lad with a point to prove and hopefully we'll benefit from it .There was an instant last night when he went down clutching his ham string ? and then continued to play on which at the time I thought " don't risk it further " but he appeared to be ok so we can't question his commitment .he's not scared to take a pop at goal and a cheeky chip show's his awareness and his own confidence in his ability . Here's hoping he becomes a Jack legend
I felt at the time that Liverpool were being a bit short sighted. They very quickly went from 'he's the next big thing' to 'he's rubbish'. Strange for the Liverpool fans to turn so quickly on a young player with obvious talent. Shelvey's prob was that he was too similar to Gerrard really. Looked very good in the game - really gives drive to the team from the centre - De Guzman must be worrying about how many games he'll get this season. I can really see Shelvey getting a grip on the centre midfield and not letting go. Shelvey with us and Caulker with Cardiff are really examples of how big clubs really don't give chances to players that deserve it. Fans talk about giving young players a chance, but they're just as bad turning on them after a few games. I geuss it shows a new career model for English players - 18-21 at top team or regular play at championship level, 21-24 lower-half to mid-table prem and then 24 and on back at the top.
You might all laugh at this! But he reminds me very much of Darren pratley, with his movement on and off the ball, obviously better passing player than Pratley.............
Agree with that, Dragon. I must admit I had reservations about his signing: not about coming here because I could see something in him, but the price we paid I thought was top heavy. WRONG!!!!!!!! He's looking full value - and more - for what we paid and I can see him becoming a fixture in our midfield. He's young and still has time to develop, particularly under the guidance of our Michael. He had a fine game against Malmo allowing that he was too casual at times and did give the ball away cheaply on occasion. Other than that, he was assured, worked hard and displayed a range of passing that adds a lot to our game. Well played, Jonjo. Keep progressing like that and I can see some more England caps coming your way in the not too distant future.
I had reservations too Ivor, mainly because, I had seen some very good performances from him last season for Liverpool, then some poor, but I didn't realise at the time that he had been switched out of position to a defending roll in midfield, which would go against the grain for Shelvey, because he's a naturally offencive midfielder, and being stuck at the back would not go down well with any player that likes to get up field!...............
How was his shooting? Wait until you see him under pressure, and when he needs consistency and discipline. Out best player on last year's preseason tour he was.
I think he still has a lot to learn TBH. Can be a little bit pondourous <sp> on the ball sometimes and needs to limited his Hollywood balls a little bit too, he also doesn't need to try and beat the keeper from the halfway line every time he plays !! He needs to work on his shooting as well. He has all the tools for the job but as far as im concerned is not quite up to our midfields technical standard in terms of quick short passing, these things he will pick up soon enough though. I was very happy to see him have a great game,it will only do his confidence the world of good but there were some sloppy passes that he needs to cut out. Shelvey has a tendency to make the long square pass a bit too often and that is very easily picked off by more switched on teams,all these are the rough edges that a few others have talked about,overall he looks o be a cracking young player that will only get better under Laudrup, I wish him well and think he is a future star if he has the application to learn more about the technical aspects of the game. A 7,5 out of 10 for yesterdays showing
Phil, I know where you are coming from and agree 100%. Said the same thing to my boy at the Redaing game. He's going to be a quality signing.
Shelvey 'A rough diamond', seems to be the usual way of describing this crazy, hairless 21 year old. I personally think it's more of a case of 'A lump of coal' you have to dig deep to get to him, but when you reach him, he will ignite. And Laudrup will do just that. He is a total men-ace. “A person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat or danger”. When he has the ball its like STOP, FREEZE-FRAME... and you think what is he going to do next? You just never know, and I frigging love the guy already.
Shelvey's long range passing is fantastic but it's his shorter range stuff that concerned me a little. Took too much time on the ball and played some weak passes directly back to Malmo. Obviously a lot of that is down to a lack of match sharpness and the time required to adjust to his new surroundings, but I'd be wary of being as fulsome in my praise as others seem to be. I remember the early days of last season when Liverpool fans were queuing up to tell us all how awesome Joe Allen was. Doubt you'd have the same reaction now. Give him another ten games or so and then we'll see.
For me, he was quite easily our Man of the Match. I've followed Shelvey's career with interest since he played for Charlton against us in the Championship, and I was massively excited when I found out we were signing him. If we had paid £10mill, I would have felt it good value, but to get him for £5/6mill is just outstanding business. I agree that his short passing is not as crisp or as sharp as Leon's, but then Leon's long passing is non-existent. Shelvey brings a new facet to our midfield, and compliments the strengths that we already have. The criticisms of him losing the ball on occasion don't sit well with me either. I can't find the official stats, but I am confident in saying that he had possession of the ball on more occasions than our other midfielders, and, as the playmaker, was entitled to attempt "Hollywood" passes, especially against a weaker side such as Malmo. We are not Brendan's team anymore. We don't just tap the ball around for safeties sake. We try and make things happen now, and, whilst it makes me nervous to watch, that makes us far less predictable and much more dangerous to the opposition.
shelvey will be the best buy of the season, I think brenda has made a big mistake in selling him to us as gerrard wont last forever. Its our gain and their loss come the end of the season when he picks up the swans player of the season...
He's got a lot of competition for player of the season, bit it is going to be fun to watch how he matures over the season. Agree Dai, big mistake letting this guy go.
He needs to work on certain aspects of his game Dai, I think he will be a good signing but I don't quite like it when im reading press about him saying that he will get more gams here,that aint true and in fact id say its just as hard to get into our team than Liverpools!! If he puts it in at training and learns he will do well here but I get the feeling the likes of JDG will start to step it up a bit also giving jonjo stiff competition . Shelvey is still a bit too slow with his short passing game and his only out ball from his dithering is a Hollywood pass, hich sometimes works sometimes doesn't . He needs to cut out those lazy long square passes too, they are perfect for being picked off giving the opposititon a free run into goal. Its early days for him,the signs are good and im hoping he does well here but lets not think he is the bollocks when he isn't eh ?
