Swansea City

Garry Monk warns 'lazy' Jonjo Shelvey over place

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 29 December 2014

Garry Monk warns Swansea City midfielder Jonjo Shelvey that he is not indispensable and will be dropped if his "laziness" does not subside.

Swansea City manager Garry Monk has warned Jonjo Shelvey that his place in the first XI is at risk unless he curbs the 'lazy' part of his game.

The former Liverpool midfielder earned his seventh booking of the season in Friday's win over Aston Villa - a cynical tug on Gabriel Agbonlahor - and was later subbed.

Although admitting that the 22-year-old's talent is "frightening", Monk says that he will have no problem dropping the England international if his "laziness" continues.

"We can't afford silly bookings and it cost him being on the pitch against Villa because any slight mistimed tackle could have been a red card," he told Sky Sports News. "Jonjo has to wise up because that yellow card came from laziness and he has to be better than that. I have spoken to him a number of times and there is only so many times you can say it.

"We can't afford silly mistakes because we have already been punished for those this season and I can't allow that any more. Jonjo's ability is frightening and I have said I am more than willing to give him the chance to show that ability.

"I will push him every single day, but you also need to want it yourself. I think he does want it, but he also needs to understand the time for being lazy with it is gone. The team are trying to push higher now, and the demands I put on them is the same for him."

Shelvey, who spent three years at Liverpool ahead of tonight's visit to Anfield, has scored once in 15 Premier League outings so far this season.