Steve Bruce has not changed much since arriving at Newcastle United and replacing Rafael Benitez, with the side still useing the same formation and primarily the same tactics.
Yet he has certainly been fortunate to receive more investment than his predecessor in the form of Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton. However, the most significant change Bruce has made since arriving at his boyhood club is the reintroduction of Jonjo Shelvey to the starting eleven, and the six cap England international has been something of a revelation.
Few have questioned Shelvey’s ability, only his mentality, though currently under the ex-Sunderland manager the midfielder has been outstanding and he is occupying a sense of newfound importance to Newcastle United as a goalscoring midfielder.
He is the club’s top scorer this season with five Premier League goals after 11 appearances, which is astonishing considering his previous 187 top-flight games yielded just 14 goals. He is proving to be vitally important to his club side, who are currently lacking in forward areas with the front three having scored two goals between them in the Premier League this term.
The transition has meant Shelvey, valued at £16.2m (Transfermarkt), is moving further up the field. Where he had previously been playing long raking passes from deep to allow teammates to progress up the field, Shelvey is now latching onto flick on’s and scoring himself, such as the infamous goal against Sheffield United. Not only this but the central midfielder is taking on more shots than last season, while still providing the same number of key passes.
Surprisingly Shelvey’s defensive contributions have not suffered despite the more advanced role, he is still making an almost identical number of tackles, but his interceptions have shot up relative to last season. Meanwhile, his fouls have halved, perhaps as a result of pinching the ball back more often without having to make a tackle.
It is yet to be seen how long it will last, but for the moment Bruce has transformed Shelvey, and the Newcastle manager is reaping the rewards. If he continues at his current rate, the Englishman’s attacking contribution could be the difference between the Magpies being sucked into a relegation battle or sitting comfortably in mid-table.
