Patrick Barclay: England need more of the Shelvey spirit

 
17 September 2013

Two years ago, when Jonjo Shelvey was sent off while playing for Liverpool against Manchester United, he left the field pointing an impertinent finger at Sir Alex Ferguson and it seemed the Romford boy had a bit of growing up to do.

Last night, he presented a very different image, approaching the cameras with humility after making the definitive Jekyll-and-Hyde contribution to a superb draw between Swansea and his former club at the Liberty Stadium.

Here was a more mature Shelvey, at 21 a footballer of character, apologising to Swansea fans for the errors that had presented Liverpool with two first-half goals and only reluctantly accepting praise for scoring one and making the other of Swansea’s.

I’m not sure that his hero and erstwhile clubmate Steven Gerrard would have appreciated the reminder that even the most distinguished footballers make expensive mistakes with passbacks — Gerrard was the guilty party against France in the 2004 European Championship — but it was evidence of a sense of perspective that had helped Shelvey to keep striving and set up the equaliser for Michu.

In doing so he proved himself a true professional and his career should only grow from now.

Shelvey is already a full international, having been used as a substitute in the World Cup qualifier against San Marino last October, and, as a likely starter in most matches for Michael Laudrup’s side, can try to force himself back into Roy Hodgson’s thoughts.

The Swansea midfielder was one of 10 Englishmen involved in South Wales last night. All but one appeared and no fewer than eight started. Some were young candidates for the national team: Shelvey and man-of-the-match Daniel Sturridge apart, they included the increasingly impressive Jordan Henderson.

Meanwhile the benches were packed with foreigners. That’s why so many foreign countries never win the World Cup — their players don’t get enough minutes in the Premier League.

Seriously, I cannot understand why the English get so glum. A bit more of the Shelvey spirit is what they need.

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