Skip to content

Newcastle's Jonjo Shelvey seeking help to control his temper

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13:  Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur reacts leading to a red card for Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United (c)  during th
Image: Jonjo Shelvey was sent off after tangling with Dele Alli

Jonjo Shelvey is seeing a psychologist in a bid to curb his temper.

Shelvey picked up the third red card of his career after treading on Dele Alli's ankle in Newcastle's 2-0 loss to Tottenham when he was unable to retrieve the ball quickly from the Spurs midfielder.

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez said Shelvey's red card - which came in the second half at St James' Park with the match poised at 0-0 - "changed everything" for his side.

And speaking to the Daily Mail, Shelvey revealed he has been making regular visits to a psychologist because he cannot afford to continue losing his cool on the pitch.

Andre Marriner shows a red card to Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United
Image: Andre Marriner showing the red card to Shelvey on Sunday

"Look, sometimes I just need to rein it in on the football pitch," Shelvey said.

"I need to just shut up and stuff. I need to not get involved and walk away.

"I started to see a psychologist last year to work on the mental side of things. It was after the Forest game. I was sent off. I had kicked out at this lad [Henri Lansbury] and it was just childish.

Also See:

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez says his captain Shelvey has apologised for his red card

"When people wind me up I should just laugh. I do need to get that out of me. Sometimes you can't help it.

"I started to work with this fella and after that there wasn't really an incident when I did that. I started to learn to keep my head down and just get on with the game. But it's an ongoing process and I am still working with him.

"Sometimes I can lose my head and it can't keep happening."

Around Sky