When Eddie Howe arrived at St. James' Park, he signalled out Jonjo Shelvey as the player he would build his Newcastle team around.
At the time, Magpies supporters were shocked by what they were hearing.
There's no doubt the former Liverpool midfielder has quality, but, his inconsistency and disciplinary record have been his downfall at St. James' Park.
Since Howe's arrival, the 29-year-old has been like a new signing.
His fine form has coincided with Newcastle's six-game unbeaten streak and there have been renewed calls to offer the midfielder a new contract.
Shelvey's deal is set to expire in the summer and former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie claims he should be offered a new deal.
“It comes as a shock but it makes sense from a business standpoint because they won’t want to let him go for nothing," McAvennie told Football Insider.
“He has done really well at Newcastle and he will probably be up for the fight when Newcastle sign all of these huge players in the summer.
“It’s a win-win for Shelvey. I imagine he’s on decent money at Newcastle and if he does end up leaving then there will be no shortage of suitors for him.
“I still think he’s a good player and he could probably settle in most Premier League teams.
“He’s a damn good player, he just doesn’t do it enough. He has been brilliant since Howe came in though.
“So the Jonjo Shelvey Eddie Howe has seen every day, that’s the Shelvey he wants to give the contract to.
“The Shelvey that sometimes goes off the boil and doesn’t perform, that’s the one who can’t come back.”
