Sean Longstaff, like most Newcastle players, had a day to forget yesterday. Drawing 0-0 against League One Oxford United in front of a capacity St James Park, was not in the script that should have read safe passage into the fifth round of the FA Cup. It summed up what has been a "difficult second album" of a season so far for the elder of the Longstaffs, but it is my firm belief that now is not the time to turn our back on Sean.
Sean proved to be a revelation when thrust into the limelight by Rafa Benitez, due to a plethora of injuries in midfield. His fantastic range of passing, combined with an almighty work-rate, endeared Sean to the geordie faithful immediately. His star kept rising as he got on the score sheet at home to Burnley, and was keeping the returning Jonjo Shelvey out of the side purely on merit.
A horrendous knee ligament injury cut his breakout season short. Sean returned in pre-season with new manager Steve Bruce keen to find a formation to accommodate Sean to play alongside fellow first choice centre midfielders, Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey. It didn't work in the slightest, as it didn't get the best out of Longstaff, or in particular Hayden. In the first game of the season against Arsenal, Longstaff looked leggy and it seemed like maybe he'd been rushed back from injury, duely dropped for the horror show at Carrow road, which in hindsight did him a favour, the three centre midfielder idea was scrapped and the formation quickly reverted back to two in the middle of the park.
Sean returned to the starting eleven for the win at Spurs, and looked like he was getting back to his best. However, an uncharacteristic red card at home to Wolves, saw Longstaff suspended for three games and losing his place to this seasons top goalscorer Jonjo Shelvey.
In my opinion, Sean, like many others in the squad, are struggling for consistency under Steve Bruce. It is understandable Bruce wants to put his own stamp on the team, instead of playing the same formation as Rafa did, but that is going to take time, and a few transfer windows. The 3-5-2 Bruce played over Christmas was stifling to the likes of Hayden and Sean Longstaff, and that was reflected in their and the teams performances. But lets not forget either, just how good Sean was alongside his brother Matty against Manchester United, and in the draw at Wolverhampton. Whilst Matty took the headlines and many of the plaudits, Sean did the dirty work in midfield, breaking down opponents play, allowing the best to come out of his younger brother.
I believe the best position for Sean Longstaff is just in front of the defence in a midfield two, drawing comparisons with the likes of Michael Carrick, who is part of the coaching setup at Manchester United. Surely it's no coincidence that Man United were clearly trying to unsettle Sean in the summer, in a clear attempt to sign the NE29 lad.
What pleases me most though, is that whilst he has clearly been struggling for consistency of form, the work-rate hasn't dipped. He seems an honest, genuine lad, with good people around him. I imagine him to be his own harshest critic, and I've no doubt that we will see the best of him in a black and white shirt once again.