Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff had one of his best performances in a Newcastle shirt last Tuesday in the FA Cup win at Oxford. He seemed to suit a more advanced role that allowed him a bit more freedom.
It’s been a very frustrating season for the 22-year-old as he’s been plagued with inconsistency and looks at times to be short on confidence.
We noticed a more commanding Sean when he came on as a second-half substitute against Norwich. He seemed to demand the ball more and looked more like the player who stormed onto the scene in the second half of last season.
At Oxford, Sean was fantastic with a goal and a superb assist on Joelinton’s goal.
Bruce tinkered with the formation a little and had a midfield three consisting of the Longstaff brothers and new signing Nabil Bentaleb. We’ve seen from the last three games how Bentaleb likes to sit very deep in the midfield.
The Algerian looks like a very tidy player who will only get better as he continues to get fully fit.
The Chronicle have published some comments that Sean Longstaff made after the Oxford win that shows how much of an impact Bentaleb is already having at Newcastle.
“At times I feel like I’ve done alright in some games, but it’s been the consistency, really, that’s killed me and maybe results in the games that have made it look a bit worse than maybe it has been, but I’m never really going to get too up and down about it.
“I’m a young lad, I’m still learning my trade, and after food last night [Monday] I spoke to Nabil for a good hour-and-a-half, to be honest about when he was at Tottenham, and he was in a similar position in terms of everything that was going on around him, and he was able to give me some great advice. I really appreciated that.
“He said, ‘You’ve got to try to put everything aside and concentrate on football because it doesn’t last forever’. And it really stuck with me last night and probably playing a little more freely, and I really enjoyed tonight so, hopefully, it’s the start of something.”
It’s fantastic that Nabil has taken Sean under his wing a bit to give him such sage advice. Sean looked a different player at Oxford, and it seems like he’s taken his new teammate’s advice to heart.
Hopefully, as Sean says, it’s the start of something. A return to last season’s form for Sean Longstaff could be just what Newcastle need in the final stretch this season.
150 comments so far
Jamaal Dubravka
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:34 AM
Comment #1Would love to see a similar role for him against Arsenal. But, it’s Bruce, he doesn’t have the freedom for that!
Jiayou! (The next MW)
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:37 AM
Comment #2Im sure Bruce will get this form out of him in no time. Like ASM and Almiron he could be some player if we attacked occasionally.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:38 AM
Comment #3“He said, ‘You’ve got to try to put everything aside and concentrate on football because it doesn’t last forever’.
Really good words from Bentilib, suggests maturity and he has his head screwed on.
Jiayou! (The next MW)
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:40 AM
Comment #4the attacking players will be demoralised when the cabbage says with the technical quality of our players we have no choice but to park the bus. could do with a keegan type telling our brilliant flair players to express themselves.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:42 AM
Comment #5https://www.themag.co.uk/2020/02/measuring-success-at-newcastle-united/
Interesting read
Assassins Inc
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:43 AM
Comment #6The takeover of Newcastle United alway reminds me of the usual suspect movie.
Verbal Kint: The greatest trick the Devil ( Mike Ashley) ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist. ( Wanted to sell the club )
Verbal Kint: And like that… ( potential buyer ) he’s gone.
Amazes me that once again another takeover story appeared within the transfer window, how many times is he going to pull this shit.
jazzyp
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:44 AM
Comment #7Morning lovers
Fakeover in full effect and Rafa is god, so keep ya peckers up lads cos all is well on the good ship Nufc
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:47 AM
Comment #8https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/michael-owen-makes-yet-more-17714503
Is there any ex player more disgusting than Michael Owen.
I was gutted when we signed him, knew it would end in tears.
I hope one of his horses kicks him in the arse so hard he can’t sit down for a year.
Munster Mag
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:47 AM
Comment #9Good stuff Nabil. Could be a v good acquisition.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:48 AM
Comment #10Jazzy
Hows ot going?
Shits gone crazy
Munster Mag
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:48 AM
Comment #11That much we can agree on OP. The worst ever, he really is.
Jiayou! (The next MW)
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:49 AM
Comment #12Jail,
McParduce as an update on the old name. This doesnt include Carver though. Its going to get even more tricky when we have to include our next four managers…Mark Hughes, Pulis, Moyes and Hodgson.
i think that is my fantasy football team name. i Youll probably notice me if you look at the bottom of the league.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:50 AM
Comment #13Munster
Common ground, wanna meet up and throw flares at his house?
Joke for those with no grasp of humor
investinyouthtoon
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:50 AM
Comment #14Repost.
Every manager had their critics even from within squads ie players who would criticise them in public. Just because players have a falling out with a manager doesn’t necessarily make the manager abject , and nor does players signing the praises of a manager make them the best thing since sliced bread.
For me, I have stated this time and time again, Rafa’s football wasnt the best at times and the results weren’t the finest. However for a balanced argument, rafa had perez from tenerife who cost 3 million euros, Rondon on loan from West Brom and miggy for £21 million for only half a season. He didn’t have a front three who cost 80 odd million as Bruce currently does.
Results and football did improve in the last half season of Rafa’s last season here.
My point is for me rafa was about more than football on the pitch, he was a figure of hope who I felt confident could build something at nufc that could be built on for generations to come. Despite MA failing to invest in a club striving to do its best in terms in a time of massive tv money deals
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:52 AM
Comment #15I bet Owen posts on here
😉
Munster Mag
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:54 AM
Comment #16Don’t think we should scare the horses. Otherwise work away!
jazzyp
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:56 AM
Comment #17OP
Morning mate…You got the gales up there?? Quite bad in Nottinghamshire.
Loved the story that the Kardashians are now involved in the fakeover. Kanye must be giving his two pence worth along with the Jenners. What more could we ask for to succeed
hibbit
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:57 AM
Comment #18jazzyp @ 7
not really jazzyp we’re in the mist of a violet storm, we’ve got problems with leaks and to top it off we have mutineers on board 😉 😉
Jiayou! (The next MW)
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:57 AM
Comment #19best keepers in my time
1. Given
2. Dubravka
3. Krul
4. Hislop
5. Srnicek
6. Harper
Forster could have been high up and Woodman will be if he gets played
Munster Mag
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:57 AM
Comment #20Invest, fair points. However perez and ronny were great and Joel… Isn’t. In fact our last donkey striker is not way up the charts in Spain so maybe rafa was no good for him? I’m not really serious but u get my drift
geordietom
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:58 AM
Comment #21just remember there’s a takeover in process …
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Feb 9, 2020 at 11:58 AM
Comment #22It’s like Owen is going out his way to piss off Nufc fans.
He just keeps digging, he must be thick as ….
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:02 PM
Comment #23Jazzy..
I’m buzzing about kim and co, we could have half times like they do for the superbowl with Kanye writing songs for the fans to sing
Winds aren’t as bad as I expected, still miserable day though.
Citeh match called off
geordietom
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:02 PM
Comment #24Op …
Owen is a little shit i hate the twat …
Munster Mag
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:03 PM
Comment #25Toon shaka shaka!!!
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:04 PM
Comment #26They have a son called North West maybe could have one called Road Gate West
jazzyp
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:05 PM
Comment #27Hibbit
When you say leaks. Are you talking about our defence lol.
OP
We got it bad here which is rare for the mids.Palm trees are being blown all over the place which i got shipped in anticipating the Saudi fakeover
Munster Mag
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:06 PM
Comment #28Tom, nó denial by the would be buyers so let’s keep hoping. The relegation race for nufc could run very late in the season so no point in buying us yet.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:08 PM
Comment #29Jazzy
Theres more takeovers of Nufc each year than theres takeovers at the Monaco grand prix.
What you doing for the Kardashians joining in?
Making a sex tape or getting a sex change?
Bills Son Is Back
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:08 PM
Comment #30Munster,… “So do yourself a favour and stop making yourself look silly eh”
Stop asking OP to do the impossible.
Bills Son Is Back
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:09 PM
Comment #31And, Munster…
OP doesn’t go to games, he’s a boycotter.
He also thinks Dubs has never made a difficult save this season and is overrated.
Posted that nonsense last night.
He must watch games on a wonky telly.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:14 PM
Comment #32Bill’s
What a ray of sunshine you are!
Brighten the blog with every posts.
I so look foward to them.
Bills Son Is Back
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:18 PM
Comment #33OP,
Thanks for the compliment.
Appreciated.
jazzyp
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:19 PM
Comment #34OP
Sex change defo. Always wanted to be called Marticia
investinyouthtoon
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:19 PM
Comment #35Tom and Munster Mag, I hope you’re both right. That they have gotten as far as everything agreed but last thing is signing on the dotted line.
Waking up to a new owner (even big bird and ernie) would be like waking up as a kid on Christmas morning with all the excitement etc.
If it doesn’t happen and the Crown prince buys wet spam I officially will go into hiding and playing deaf to avoid some of my family who support those lot it would be unbearable. Surely it can’t happen to them, it must be us next to have renewed hope with a new owner
Jail for Ashley
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:20 PM
Comment #36The weather is pretty shite here today mind. Muggy obviously but cloudy and raining. A bit like Munsters thinking!
Jail for Ashley
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:23 PM
Comment #37Munster was right once in his life. It was the day he admitted he was constantly wrong about everything.
jane
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:27 PM
Comment #38Man City v West Ham postponement won’t help West Ham who will have to play catch up again.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Comment #39Jazzy..
Each to their own, I thought you’d want a name with more presence.
I hold no hope in this takeover, doesn’t seem much different to the last one.
Theres not a newspaper on the planet that only prints facts, I doubt theres one who hasn’t had to retract a statement/story or apologise to someone.
The only thing Ashley says regarding the sale I believe is if/when it’s done we won’t hear a peep. That said I don’t believe that because nothing is now being said it’s going on behind closed doors.
As I’ve said before in Ashley’s mind everything is for sale, doesn’t mean he’s going to sell it though.
He comes across as though he always has to get one over, doubt it would be a fair and balanced sale.
Jib
Feb 9, 2020 at 12:30 PM
Comment #40Jail
It’s not Muggy
That’s tomorrow
followed by Tewggy Weggy Thurggy and Fryggy
I’ll get me coat