Jonjo Shelvey gives Newcastle United a different dimension, says Martin Hardy

New signing Jonjo Shelvey gives Newcastle a different dimension, the Sunday Times' Martin Hardy told the Sunday Supplement.

The North East correspondent - making his debut on the Sky Sports show - said the Magpies most recent signing brings a great vision to St James Park and was instrumental in their 2-1 win against West Ham on Saturday. 

Midfielder Shelvey joined the club from Swansea on Tuesday for a fee thought to be around £12m, and had a hand in both of Newcastle's goals as they pulled themselves out of the bottom three. 

Hardy also sees Shelvey as the replacement for Yohan Cabaye and could help push Newcastle in the right direction under manger Steve McClaren. 

"Shelvey brings a vision to Newcastle. He played a major part in yesterday's first goal and for the second, he hit a 60 yard diagonal pass and the crowd's roar grew with the ball as it went towards the far corner.

"Newcastle have a way of doing things where the do the business first and put the team second so Yohan Cabaye leaves a few years ago and finally Shelvey arrives and he is the replacement.

"He gives the team a different option. He can score goals, he can make goals, he can out his foot in. The incident with Enner Valencia was particularly pleasant but as a central midfielder in English football, you have to be able to look after yourself a little bit.

"Steve McClaren was raving about him yesterday which was very encouraging because the Newcastle manager and the Newcastle recruitment team have not always been on the same page, but you feel this is a player the manager wants and that makes all the difference.

Newcastle have a way of doing things where the do the business first and put the team second so Yohan Cabaye leaves a few years ago and finally Shelvey arrives as the replacement.

"He's got a space for him in the team and Newcastle have played well in recent games this season. There is a progression that's come slowly under Steve McClaren.

"It's not helped by the fact he hasn't got a natural goalscorer, which was a huge oversight in the summer but he's taking steps to move in the right direction. The signing of Shelvey gives them a new dimension to them and you saw that yesterday.

"For half an hour, they took West Ham to pieces - who have been very good his season - so it's eye opening to watch and I don't think Newcastle will get relegated."

But despite protests that his 'bad boy' image was misleading, Shelvey was involved in an off-the-ball altercation with West Ham striker Valencia that promoted some speculation that he may receive a retrospective ban. 

"My argument is I don't see why there should be any action," Hardy said on Sunday Supplement about the incident. 

"I've watched it again and again and at worst, it's a yellow card. I don't see why would the FA get involved in retrospective action - which they don't like doing anyway - see a yellow card offence and say this is a two or three game ban.

"I thought it was an over-reaction to the incident, and I don't think there should be a ban."