I’ll be a better player after all this – Shelvey
JONJO Shelvey is confident he will emerge as an even better player once the UK’s lockdown is over and Premier League football finally returns,
The former Liverpool midfielder has been spending his time diligently by watching back Newcastle United’s matches and looking on areas where he can improve.
Shelvey signed a long-term contract before the lockdown and has netted five goals this season for the Magpies.
The Toon star feels that United have proved people wrong this season after being tipped by pundits to go down this season under Steve Bruce.
But the Magpies are eight points clear of the relegation zone and have not been in the bottom three since last October.
He said: “We were tipped by others to be relegated.
“But we have done very well. “We have picked up a lot of points when people thought we should.
“While we have been off I have had time to go back and watch our games.
“I have been going on the club website and go through bits and bobs you need to brush up on.
“This has been a learning curve to refresh and recharge and then hopefully go again.”
Newcastle players still don’t have a return date to training after plans to resume keep getting postponed.
Shelvey said: “It’s been like two months now and it’s been a nightmare. It is what it is and you have to just listen to the experts.
“I’ve been trying to get outside and do some work.
“It’s harder for the kids you have to keep them entertained or they will drive themselves up the wall.”
And speaking about life under lockdown in the Shelvey household, the 28-year-old, speaking to Talksport, said: “Ever since lockdown started my sister and her two kids moved in as we isolated together.
“That has kept us entertained.
“Me and my sister’s fella bought a new lawnmower and put a pitch in the garden with a goal.
“We just take shots at each other all day!”
A NEW era is hopefully moving closer for Newcastle United – and the first moves of the Supporters Trust will be crucial if the takeover deal is ratified.
The NUST has been growing in numbers since the Magpies’ summer of discontent in 2019 and hundreds more fans have joined since the Saudi-backed but Amanda Staveley-driven takeover began gaining momentum.
It now has far in excess of 10,000 members; more than enough for the would-be owners to take notice.
They will be seeking talks with the NUST if a deal is announced (and buyers remain confident that is just a matter of time) and the desire to present a united front is driving many fans to sign up for a body which is fully democratic, has its own constitution and which fans can influence.
New owners will be welcome at the club but it’s not a one-way relationship. During any honeymoon period fans will be in a good place to ask for more of a say in how the club operates after years in which supporters have felt ignored.
And that is keenly felt by NUST chair Alex Hurst.
“The most important thing as a Trust is it’s not just about how they interact with us. Their initial contact with the supporters is going to be very important,” he reflected.
“We’ll have gone 13 years of not really knowing why Newcastle United exists and what the purpose of it is. They can change that on day one with the whole fanbase and support across the world, not just our organisation and our members.
“It’s important that they tell us why they have bought Newcastle United and what the plan is. I think that is vital, particularly with the international interest in this deal.
“Even though Ashley prompted a lot of interest, it’s different with this deal – you’ve got the Wall Street
It’s important that they tell us why they have bought Newcastle United and what the plan is
Alex Hurst, NUST