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Andrew Musgrove

'Huge lack of creativity in the middle' - Newcastle United fans on Jonjo Shelvey's absence

Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey will start the clash at Leicester City on the bench - which has prompted an angry response from some sections of the Magpie fan base.

Shelvey has not started a game for United since November, and even though fully-fit for the past three weeks, has failed to break into Rafa Benitez's starting-11.

He appeared for 15 minutes last weekend as Crystal Palace beat United 1-0 at St James' Park , but some sections of the fan base feel that he should be one of the first on the team sheet due to his passing ability.

South Korea Ki Sung-yueng starts in the midfielder once again with Isaac Hayden but some fans feel that is the wrong decision.

Was Rafa Benitez right to leave Jonjo Shelvey on the bench against Crystal Palace - what the stats say  

MrStuie on Twitter posted: "Ki has been so poor, Shelvey changed the game against palace. We have a speedster upfront with our best passer on the bench."

Rishabh Pitaliya wrote: "Shelvey creates Chances and has a lot of creativity. He's the best at creativity. He might be lazy but give him a chance. Our team has no creativity without him."

United with Pride took a more diplomatic look: "No Shelvey again. Seems to be a lack of trust similar to Mitrovic last season. Hoping Rafa’s got it right again."

The Realist perhaps saw Benitez's reasoning: "Nothing wrong with team. Three attackers on, Shelvey didn't do anywhere near enough when come on last week to warrant a start unfortunately. It's a really difficult game that a point would be a great result in."

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