Georginio Wijnaldum brilliantly sums up what Jonjo Shelvey brings to Newcastle

The club climbed out of the Premier League’s relegation zone on Saturday.

New signing Shelvey had a hand in both of Newcastle’s goals in a 2-1 home win over West Ham United.

Shelvey played an early ball to Wijnaldum, who laid it off for Ayoze Perez, who scored the club’s opener with a first-time shot.

And it was an inch-perfect cross-field pass to Daryl Janmaat that led to Newcastle’s second goal, scored by Wijnaldum in the 15th minute.

The strike was leading scorer Wijnaldum’s ninth of the season.

West Ham substitute Nikica Jelavic one back after the break, but Steve McClaren’s side saw out the game to climb up to 17th place in the league.

Asked what Shelvey brought to the team, Wijnaldum said: “He brings football.

“What you can see in the first goal, the other players were really close, but he still found me between the lines. I just popped of the ball for Ayoze to shoot.

“(For) the second goal, his pass to Daryl was magnificent. That is something that we need.

“We can use a player like him. We already know he is a good player, because I played against him. We are all happy he is here, because he can bring more football to the team.”

Wijnaldum feels Shelvey, signed for £12million from Swansea City, can see and play passes before anyone else.

“You know he sees everything,” said Wijnaldum.

“You don’t even have to look behind you and he will find you.

“He gives confidence to the players and to me.

“The first goal we made, I stood there and expected him to find me and he did. I trusted him. I am happy with him.

“I enjoy every goal I make and I hope I score more to enjoy with the team and supporters.

“If you score, everyone can enjoy it, especially the supporters.”

Newcastle were dominant before the break, but West Ham fought back strongly after the interval.

“We already played a really good two or three games, but we didn’t get the points and we didn’t score.

“But (against West Ham) we played good, especially in the first half. The chances we got we scored and that will give confidence and it makes the game easier.

“At 2-0 ahead it is better than 0-0 or 1-0.”

McClaren has restored Wijnaldum to his favoured No 10 role.

The Holland international said: “That is my better position. I can be more important for the team. I can make better runs with my technique and my goals.”

Newcastle must now build on the victory when they take on Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

“Every point that we get is important,” said Wijnaldum.

“We have to stay out of the relegation zone. In the middle of the table, sometimes you don’t get the points you think you should.

“Sitting in the relegation zone you need every point you can get. Every point is important.”

Wijnaldum is also hopeful that the club can stay out of the relegation zone for the rest of the season.

However, a win for third-from-bottom Swansea at home to Watford tonight would see Newcastle return to 18th place.

“I have the confidence we won’t get back in there,” said Wijnaldum.

“We have to show it on the field. Wehave climbed out a few times, but we still dropped back to we must stay out of it and win games in a row.

“That is the only way to keep out of it.”

Meanwhile, McClaren was delighted with Shelvey’s debut.

He said: “He helps with the balance of the team, and the saw his quality in the two passes he made for the goals.

“They were sharp, they were forward and they were quick, and that gives other people so much time.

“When you delay that pass, defenders get back in front of players and it’s difficult.

“Before the game, we just told him to go and play.

“We wanted him to play how he plays, and be organised and disciplined, and compete and show attitude.”

McClaren also dismissed an off-the-ball challenge on Enner Valencia as “handbags”. He said: “We’re a contact sport and it was shoulder to shoulder.”