Newcastle United

Jonjo Shelvey reveals anguish of Tottenham Hotspur dismissal

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 28 October 2017

Jonjo Shelvey reveals the full extent of his anguish after being sent off against Tottenham Hotspur on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has revealed that he 'locked himself in his room' and did not want to play football again after being sent off against Tottenham Hotspur on the opening weekend of the season.

The 25-year-old was blamed for the Magpies' 2-0 loss at St James' Park as his needless dismissal early in the second half led to his side collapsing.

Shelvey served a three-match ban for the red card and was further punished by boss Rafael Benitez, who did not reinstate him in the first team until the visit of former club Liverpool on October 1.

An impressive performance in that match acted as a pivotal moment in the campaign for the England international, though, leading to suggestions that he could earn a recall to the Three Lions squad next month.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: "[Liverpool] was the turning point in the season for me as I knew how I felt after that Tottenham game, I did not really want to play football to be honest. I locked myself in my room because I did not want to speak to anyone, including my family.

"I just switched my phone off and turned my TV off and that was me for the rest of the night. But then you get that feeling after the Liverpool game where you are buzzing because you played well and assisted the goal. There are going to be ups and downs in football, you just have to make sure there are more ups than downs.

"My dad gave me a telling-off after the game. And I would not come out of the changing rooms until we left to go home because I felt that bad and that I had let everyone down, which I had. But the main people that I had to get back onside were my manager, my team-mates and the supporters of the football club.

"That is my aim and that is what I am going to try and do. I sent Rafa a text after the game when I was on my way home really apologising. The next day I came in and we had a little chat and it was forgotten about. I said I was going to work my socks off to regain your and the club's trust. And that is what I am working towards still."

Shelvey, who joined Newcastle from Swansea City in January 2016, has started four Premier League games in total this term and featured a further two times from the bench.