Jonjo Shelvey played an instrumental role on his Newcastle United debut as he helped the team move out of the relegation zone thanks to a 2-1 victory over West Ham United at St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
Advertisement
“If you would have told me I’d be playing for Newcastle at the end of the season after starting the year at Swansea, I’d have said you were insane”, Shelvey told Sky Sports News HQ. I never come out and did an interview saying that, so it’s just a matter of I wasn’t going to play at Swansea, not getting my chance.
West Ham United’s Adrian cant keep out Newcastle United’s Ayoze Perez goal during the Barclays Premier League match at St James’ Park, Newcastle.
Shelvey has claimed he was ostracised by new Swansea manager Alan Curtis and was was told by club chairman Huw Jenkins his “head was not right” to play for the club.
“It’s nice that I am getting people ring me like that, but it is down to me now to kick on”. “We know that we are West Ham and we are enjoying the season and we are respecting every opponent without being afraid of them, and that’s it. “Are we favourites now to finish in the top four?”
Speaking on the BBC’s Final Score programme, Shelvey said: “I’m very shocked that this team is in and around it considering the players that are in that dressing room”.
“That was a main part of me coming here, to try and get myself into the Euros squad for the summer”, Shelvey added.
JONJO Shelvey fans who want to forget the midfielder who departed the Liberty this week can get his name off their back.
At times during his spell in South Wales, the 23-year-old was criticised for his inconsistency, which is something he now admits he needs to address.
When asked whether criticism about his attitude bothered him, Shelvey replied: “Yes, it does hurt you”.
Newcastle nearly extended their lead on 64 minutes when Shelvey, urged to shoot by Newcastle fans, let fly from distance and the ricocheted deflection landed for Mitrovic to hit a thumping drive, which Adrian tipped over the crossbar. This squad’s just as good, if not better, than Swansea’s.
The Hammers managed to get more time on the ball after scoring, but the Magpies found their feet again as they made Adrian the busier keeper in the early stages of the second half.
Advertisement
McClaren said: “There’s an approach from a Chinese team and Cheick is now on his way to meet them”.
