Jonjo Shelvey admits he did not realise how 'big' of a club Nottingham Forest are until after he sealed his deadline-day transfer from Newcastle United. The former Magpies playmaker has also opened up on the 'fantastic team spirit' at the City Ground despite the influx of talent which has seen 30 signings arrive at the newly-promoted side this season.
Shelvey has already made five appearances for his new club, and started the last four Premier League fixtures including the home draw with Manchester City. The 31-year-old is likely to keep his place to face his former club on Friday night, a little over six weeks on from bidding an emotional St James' Park farewell following seven years on Tyneside.
Steve Cooper's side have not won in their last five top-flight outings, and sit two points and four places clear of the relegation zone. Discussing his start to life at the City Ground, Shelvey has praised the 'fantastic' team spirit' which has quickly been forged.
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He told the club's website: “There is such a good team spirit here. That’s very hard to find when such a lot of players have signed for a football club.
“It’s hard to put so many new faces into a dressing room and expect them to gel, but everyone’s been spot on with me personally.
“You can feel the team spirit, even the lads who are not involved or injured are here on a matchday and speak in the dressing room. The team spirit here is fantastic.”
Newcastle will be the latest visitors to the City Ground, having lost on their last three visits including a controversial 2-1 defeat in the Championship in December 2016. Forest have racked up 20 of their 26 points so far on home turf, and Shelvey accepts he did not realise the size and history of his new club until he signed.
The 31-year-old added: "Until I came here, I didn’t realise how loud the ground can be. The atmosphere is electric, even when you go out to warm up it gets you right in the mood for the game.
“I know what the club has won in the past but I’m probably too young to understand the history in terms of where it has been, but my Dad is the one who said to me ‘you don’t realise how big of a club Forest is.’
“You only have to walk around the city and the people remind you how big of a club it is, the pictures that are hung up on the walls at the training ground, the atmosphere here on a matchday, it makes you realise how big of a club it is.”
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