Steve Bruce addresses the Newcastle United captaincy issue amid Jonjo Shelvey armband criticism
Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has addressed the Magpies’ captaincy issue amid growing concerns among the fanbase that Jonjo Shelvey should not wear the armband.
Shelvey’s form without the captaincy has been patchy at best during his time on Tyneside – but with it, recently at least, his performances have taken a nosedive.
The midfielder has been named skipper in four of the Magpies’ last four games, including the club’s Carabao Cup quarter final surrender at Brentford.
And Bruce, when asked whether Shelvey being stand-in United captain in the absence of Jamaal Lascelles was in issue, said: “Jonjo will be disappointed with his performances, like everybody else is, but three weeks ago he was the captain and played very, very well.
"I don’t look at that in terms of the armband. But certainly, you’re going to miss your captain, and of course Allan (Saint-Maximin), and a few more of the centre-backs that haven’t been available. Unfortunately, it’s not to be.”