‘Top-class’ Jonjo wins hero’s seal of approval
BEARDSLEY GLOWING IN PRAISE OF STAR SHELVEY
PETER Beardsley thinks Jonjo Shelvey showed his class for Newcastle United Under-23s on Monday night – both on and off the field.
Shelvey left St James’ Park without taking part in any media interviews, but Toon second-string chief Beardsley was delighted with his contribution.
The former Swansea man played the full 90 minutes in his first game since a three-match FA ban.
Shelvey was suspended for Newcastle’s last two victories after being sent off for a stamp on Dele Alli.
He returned in the U-23s’ 2-2 draw with Norwich at St James’ Park, and Beardsley told the Chronicle: “It was great for the young players to have 90 minutes with Jonjo Shelvey.
“We were intending to take him off, but Curtis Good had a groin strain. Because of that we took no risks.
“But the way Jonjo was around the group, he was top-class.
“It is a big bonus for the young players to have those 90 minutes and the time with him during the pre-match period.”
Beardsley made his admiration for Shelvey as a player clear as he added: “He doesn’t have a negative bone in his body.
“He is always looking to play the ball forward. That is a quality you can’t give people.”
Shelvey almost scored a David Beckham-esque goal from his own half to excite the 662 watching fans.
Beardsley said: “You look at his shot from his own half and people probably wondered what he was doing, but as it got closer it almost caught the keeper out.
“As soon as it left his foot it had a chance.
“It would have been brilliant and a mark of what he does.
“He can hit the ball further than anybody I’ve seen.”
Newcastle took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Luke Charman and Macaulay Gillesphey.
Beardsley reflected: “So many times people say 2-0 is a dangerous lead and you think they’re talking rubbish because surely you’d always take that. “But last night proved that 2-0 is a dangerous lead. Fair play to Norwich, they kept going.
“They played some nice stuff and while we had a great chance at the death, they probably looked the most likely to win
it. “Our legs had gone a bit and maybe some energy had gone. “When you are 2-0 up your energy does go, I have been there myself.” United’s Rolando Aarons and Jamie Sterry did not suffer any injury problems during the draw, with both taken off in prearranged substitutions.