Shelvey has confidence in the Magpies
JONJO Shelvey is under no illusions about the threat Carlos Carvalhal’s Swansea pose this Saturday, but the Newcastle midfielder is confident the Magpies will emerge victorious if they maintain their current form.
The Swans head to Tyneside bottom of the Premier League table but have shown signs of progress under the Portuguese boss – particularly in an away win against Watford.
Carvalhal did the double over Newcastle last season while in charge of Sheffield Wednesday and Shelvey is well aware that the new Swansea boss will know how to set his team up against the Magpies.
“He managed at Sheffield Wednesday and he has always come across as a good manager,” Shelvey told NUFC TV. “They beat us twice last season so he will know how to set up his team against us.
“He had a good start when they beat Watford but they have lost the last couple. It is going to be a good game. They are not going to come here and sit back, I think they will come here and have a go.
“That is what Swansea do and what that manager does so I think it will be a good game and hopefully we can come out on top.”
Wins against Stoke and West Ham lifted Newcastle up to 13th in the table over the festive period.
Rafa Benitez’s side are currently six points above their visitors and Shelvey is keen to get the win and to ‘box safety off as soon as possible’.
“I think it is massive,” Shelvey added. “It is a must-win for them and us as well, to be honest. If we win it puts more pressure on them.
“I just hope that we can go out there and play the way we have been playing and get the three points. If we win it, it takes us a little further from the relegation zone and that is what we want.
“We want to get it (safety) boxed off as quickly as possible.
“It is up to us now to do that. We have given ourselves the best chance to do that with the last few results and performances we have put in so it is a massive one on Saturday.”