Martin Keown has blasted Jonjo Shelvey for his part in the latest Nottingham Forest defeat against Aston Villa. The midfielder’s stupid error handed the hosts a chance to score the game’s first goal shortly after half-time.
The man who was part of the invincible campaign which Arsenal had in the nineties was appearing on BT Sport for their Sport Score show. It was Shelvey who was criticised after a really poor showing.
The man signed from Newcastle in January did something really silly in the second half of yesterday’s game. He tried to pass to Moussa Niakhate in the penalty area when in reality he just needed to clear his lines.
His failed attempt to clear saw the ball fall to Bertrand Traore, who won’t score an easier goal all season. Shelvey needs to improve and this has seen him get some criticism from Keown.
He told BT Sport: “I’m not sure what he’s trying to do, he’s trying to pass it to his colleague, but he should just be clearing the ball. Nobody is on the same wavelength, and he didn’t even have to pass it, he could have taken a touch himself.
“As I say, players cost you. Decision-making at the highest level is what separates top players from the bang-average players. Shelvey’s one of those. Okay, he can play, but can he do it consistently? No. And he’s costing his team.”
Keown has blasted Shelvey and player deserves it
If ever you wanted an example of how not to play in a relegation battle, Forest provided it yesterday. After a good opening 45 minutes, the Reds once again managed to find a way to self-combust.
Shelvey’s moment of madness came just moments into the second half. Villa had far too much room down the right-hand side and Traore found himself with a chance that he just couldn’t miss.
Cooper now has a conundrum. Shelvey is being paid handsomely by the Reds and he’s their player for the next two years, suggesting that the head coach will keep picking him.
But, Forest are now back in the bottom three in the Premier League. Shelvey does have the experience but the real question is whether he has the required quality in the modern era.
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