Magpies plan to be a success in the top flight, says Jonjo

JONJO Shelvey has revealed Newcastle United are working on a new gameplan to cope with top-flight opponents who will dominate possession.

United hit Wolfsburg on the break in Wednesday’s 3-1 win in Germany, Christian Atsu’s and Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goals coming as Newcastle utilised their pace and passing precision to spring their opponents’ defence.

It was not a coincidence, admits vice-captain Shelvey, who says Newcastle are fully aware they will need to set up and execute differently against better rivals in the top flight.

Asked whether the counterattacking was part of a change in emphasis by the team, Shelvey said: “We have been working on that sort of gameplan because we are going to come up against teams in the Premier League who are going to have a lot more possession than we have.

“It was different in the Championship where we were the the team to go to.

“We need to get used to not having the ball and being compact and narrow. That paid off (against Wolfsburg).”

Although there has been much talk of the deals Newcastle have not managed to do yet, there have been signs in pre-season the existing squad members are ready to step up and deliver.

Shelvey himself has looked in good shape and created the third goal in Germany with an excellent run after latching on to Javier Manquillo’s through ball.

He admits he is fitter than ever before coming into a new season.

Shelvey added: “It is always good to be as fit as you can be.

“There is no doubt with the ability side of my game but it is the fitness which has come in.

“I feel the best I have ever felt playing football so it is going to be interesting this season.

“You want to play as many minutes as you can in pre-season.

“It is good I have 90 minutes in the tank.

“I am a little bit fitter now and I need to do that sort of stuff now. I was just having a conversation with Dwight Gayle in the dressing room, saying ‘Would you have shot there?’

“He said ‘Yeah, probably’ but the way I play if there is a player in a better position you find him.

“It does not matter who scores as long as the team does.”

United kick off in the Premier League when they entertain Tottenham, who finished second last season. Shelvey is excited.

He said: “I cannot wait for the Spurs game. It is boring without football. I have just been watching a load of rubbish on the telly.

“It is just good that the season is back up and running. I cannot wait for it all to start.”