I want us to pile pressure on Swans, says Shelvey
JONJO Shelvey has ordered Newcastle to pile the pressure on his old mates at the Liberty Stadium.
The midfielder clocks up two years on Tyneside today, having signed from the Swans, who they host at the weekend.
Shelvey has billed the clash at St James’ Park as a “must-win” for the visitors, but reckons Rafa Benitez’s side are ready to lift away from the relegation scrap after two wins in a row.
Newcastle are without a home win in the Premier League since October, and he said: “I think there is a big expectation playing at home in front of our fans and our big crowd. As players we have to be able to deal with that.
“Swansea is a massive game. It is a must win for them – and us as well.
“If we win that piles pressure on Swansea and I hope we can go and get three points and take us further away form the relegation zone.
“That’s what you want, away from there as quick as possible.
“It is in our hands. We have given ourselves a chance and it is a massive one on Saturday.”
Shelvey, who moved from the Liberty in a £10m deal, says he has “never had any regrets” about heading to Tyneside.
“As soon as I knew Newcastle were in for me, there was only one place to go. But I don’t want them [Swansea] to go down – I have mates in their team,” said the England international.
“But it is a cut-throat business, football, and I’d rather us stay up than them. It is a battle, a relegation battle.
“They have chopped and changed the managers and that has not helped them.
“Away teams would not see the ball for a long time at Swansea. Even the top teams – Arsenal, Chelsea... They have moved away from that.”
Londoner Shelvey has been linked with a move to West Ham and has not been an automatic pick under Benitez.
Mikel Merino has taken his playmaker role, but Shelvey has performed well lately and the pair can work together.