The Newcastle midfielder has shed over a stone, as well as a ‘childish mind-set’, and is thriving under the guidance of the man who once took him to LiverpoolThere was a time when Jonjo Shelvey appeared a big part of the problem at Newcastle United but these days he seems very much the solution.Rafael Benítez had barely succeeded Steve McClaren as manager at St James’ Park last spring before he dropped the midfielder from the team. Despite Newcastle’s fall into the Championship Shelvey then began this season warming the bench and, when liberated from it, persistently attempting too many “Hollywood passes” and over-ambitious long-range shots. Related: Newcastle flying high as Jonjo Shelvey scores twice in mauling of QPR Related: Jonjo...
A record-breaking four promotions from the Championship will stand the former Birmingham City manager in good stead for his latest managerial roleSteve Bruce may be half the man he used to be but Aston Villa’s new manager remains a heavyweight promotion expert. So far so good for Tony Xia but, even though the clocks have still to go back, history suggests Villa’s ambitious Chinese owner may have to forget about an instant return to the Premier League this season.Indeed should Bruce – who has lost a staggering amount of weight and, even more startlingly, coloured his hair ash blond since resigning as Hull City’s manager in the summer – fulfil widespread West Midlands expectation having been named as Roberto Di...
Spurs beat Manchester City to go second in the Premier League. Plus: Barcelona come unstuck at Celta Vigo and Aston Villa sack Roberto Di MatteoSubscribe and review: iTunes, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, AcastIt’s the year 5777, and on today’s Football Weekly, AC Jimbo is joined by fellow jetsetters Barry Glendenning, Iain Macintosh and Jacob Steinberg. Continue reading...
Huddersfield stay top, Brighton have another happy awayday, a memorable afternoon for Cambridge’s Will Norris and the 1000th EFL goal of the season Related: Roberto Di Matteo under increasing pressure after Aston Villa defeat Related: Roberto Di Matteo under increasing pressure after Aston Villa defeat Related: Leyton Orient sack Andy Hessenthaler after suffering back-to-back defeats Continue reading...
The first meeting of two Champions League-winning managers outside the top flight saw Newcastle display promotion credentials but Villa punished their profligacy and battled to a drawWhen Newcastle United previously visited Villa Park, on the penultimate day of last season, they drew 0-0 against the already relegated Aston Villa, slipping closer to the drop themselves as a result. Of the 11 United players who started that day, only two began here – Paul Dummett and Jamaal Lascelles – which says something about the level of turnover at the club over the summer.Rafael Benítez may have come away with another point on Saturday – and, once more, a sense of frustration after his side missed a plethora of chances to add...