did seem a tad like that
Take Shelvey of the pitch and play like Rafa and you win.
did seem a tad like that
Careful, statements like that might just provoke a response from our anti Rafa resident.
It's ok he's at a wedding
hmmm, once Shelvey was dropped by Rafa, our performances were remarkably better.
Same has happened in this case too.
Maybe a coincidence, yes, i think Shelvey is a good player but he is a luxury player. He is slow, temperamental, and too inconsistant to be a first team regular.
He dazzles with the hollywood passes but they are at a premium, literally 3 a season come to something other than a throw in to the opposition. Shelvey is a Ben arfa luxury in a different position, when he plays, the rest of the team have to increase their game to make up for him. How often do we see the long range pass go astray and then he hangs his head like a petulant child while everyone else is tracking back trying to win the ball back?
Hayden and Longstaff get stuck in, play as a unit and give their all for the team. Now with young Matty breaking through and Ki also being good at keeping the ball, Shelvey is actually 4th or 5th choice for me.
I wouldn't go as far as to say remarkably better.
Shelvey id definitely a loose cannon at times and certainly can be sort of petulant and (as you say) inconsistent. I agree with that but I also think he offers a lot in games where we're more balanced and not parking the bus as a general rule.
It's a case of trying to find a happy medium with Shelvey but it's clear to see what he can bring if the manager can get the best out of him...especially a more consistent, him.
Swings and roundabouts for me.
Those you mention are definitely all in grafters first, especially without the ball but this is where they can work with Shelvey and allow Shelvey that craft part of his game to dictate play.
It's about horse for courses though but I would certainly be playing Shelvey against any team at home and at least most teams outside of the top 6 away from home.
Get rid of Shelvey for me asap. he is a luxury we can't afford with our team. Good result yesterday, however one swallow doesn't make a summer.
In my mind the Watford game is/was more important than the Spurs game and i can't see a fixture this season which i think we will dominate and be afforded the luxury of having Shelvey in the side.