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Jonjo Shelvey hitting high notes after Rafael Benítez tells it straight

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...

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Rafa Benítez rues misses after Aston Villa hold Newcastle in fallen giants’ clash

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...

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