Little over two weeks ago Eddie Howe explained how Sean Longstaff's Newcastle United performances regularly went 'under the radar'. It didn't take long for that claim to be vindicated as the Magpies slumped to a humbling defeat at Aston Villa.
The midfielder, who has been a mainstay in this excellent Newcastle team this season, was a huge miss in the 3-0 loss after being demoted to the bench at Villa Park. Longstaff, who had been suffering with illness in the run-up to the Premier League showdown, could only watch on from the sidelines before being introduced for the final 20 minutes in the Midlands.
By then, the damage had been done after Unai Emery's men outplayed and outran their fellow European football-chasing rivals. John McGinn had the midfield battle firmly sewn up as Newcastle struggled to get near.
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Longstaff's energy and determination were a huge miss for Howe's side. The 25-year-old regularly covers more blades of grass than his midfield counterparts and is prepared to do the dirty work others wont.
His late runs into the box have become a secret weapon for Newcastle, while his ability to provide cover to Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier is evident each week.
Longstaff may not be as flashy as Bruno, or as imposing as Joelinton, or as highly-rated as Willock. But his absence is felt on the odd chance he drops out of Howe's starting XI.
"I don’t think his absence necessarily affects where Bruno is playing on the pitch, but we maybe missed Sean’s tenacity and his legs and energy," the Newcastle boss said at full-time. "His endurance levels are at the very highest level, and we didn’t look right in midfield."
Newcastle will be hoping to get back on track this weekend against Tottenham but Howe now has a huge selection dilemma on his hands. Longstaff's return means a demotion for one of Guimaraes, Joelinton, Willock or Anthony Gordon on the left.
Longstaff's future was up in the air at the beginning of the campaign. A mere matter of months later the local lad is one of Howe's dependables.
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