Newcastle United supporters have been in fine voice in recent times after seeing their side record a second successive Premier League victory at the weekend.
Rafa Benitez’s men went into their encounter with high-flying Bournemouth off the back of beating Watford in their previous league clash for their first win of the campaign, and as such were hugely confident ahead of the visit of Eddie Howe’s Cherries on Saturday. And the Magpies made it two in a row as a Salomon Rondon brace inspired the hosts to a 2-1 win at St James’ Park, what with Jefferson Lerma’s effort on the stroke of half time not enough to inspire a Bournemouth comeback.
Thus, there have been many thrilled Newcastle fans up and down the country in recent times, several of whom are growing in confidence that their side can start to climb the division, what with some of their summer signings beginning to hit their stride.
Rondon, Ki Sung-yeung, and Federico Fernandez were excellent on Saturday to thus suggest that, while the club weren’t overly busy during the summer window, the business they did do was very shrewd, which is very similar to the deal that brought Jonjo Shelvey to the club back in January 2016.
It was Steve McClaren who lured the midfielder to St James’ Park for £14.4 million (as per Transfermarkt), and while the ex-England chief was on the whole woeful during his time in charge of the North East club, he at least got something right in signing Shelvey.
Ultimately, the 26-year-old had shone during his short time at Swansea City to further underline his Premier League credentials, which were occasionally on show during his stint at Liverpool between 2010 and 2013.
As such, Newcastle’s move for the England international was seen by many as quite the coup and one that would surely aid in their hopes of staying up in the 2015/16 campaign, only for things to continue to go awry for manager McClaren and his side – not even Benitez, dragged in in March that year, could keep them up.
And while Shelvey failed to net in the second half of that season, he stayed with the club in the Championship and played a vital part in their immediate return to the top tier, scoring five goals and laying on nine assists to help Benitez’s side win the title.
And the 26-year-old, capped six times by England over the years, has continued to prove his worth to the Magpies with several impressive displays in the middle of the park, appearing 30 times in the Premier League last term as Newcastle finished tenth, while he has eight appearances to his name this time round to underline his status as a key first teamer at the club.
In fact, some have been calling for the midfielder to earn a recall to the England squad such have been his excellent efforts in the heart of the Newcastle midfield, alongside his ever-improving disciplinary record, but no return has so far been forthcoming.
Nonetheless, Shelvey continues to be absolutely vital to Benitez’s team – McClaren may have endured a rough time at St James’ Park, but he did at least get something right in luring the Englishman to the club back in January 2016.
Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!
