Joelinton seemed slightly rusty at the start of this season, no player should have an automatic place. Much as I love Joey, Longstaff's been playing well recently, and has definitely upped his game from a year or so ago.
No, longstaff has not been playing well recently. He wasn't good against Bournemouth, he was ****e, and I'm not that impressed that he played well against a dead 10 man fulham side. He's not been doing well enough that I'd want Joelinton out of the side.
Howe praised Longstaff and suggested he is pushing well for a starting place, so who knows. He wouldn't be in my 1st 11, but probably on the bench. He's certainly done OK. Murphy on the the other hand simply should never be allowed to wear a NUFC shirt again. He has never proven himself.
Got to go with Howe - I don't think ASM will start but he was wrapped in cotton wool for Fulham so may be fit to start this week. Fraser came on and looked lively so he could even be in line to start with ASM and Murphy on the bench? Longstaff is definitely improving again, he did under Rafa and dropped under Bruce but starting to find confidence and form again - took his goal well last week and I thought Willock actually looks better on the left of the midfield so can't see Howe changing a winning team but with more options off the bench in Joelinton, ASM and potentially Shelvey as well. But no one knows. Exciting times though with nearly a fully fit squad again!
Don't agree the whole team was ****, but I suppose my point is Longstaff is decent cover, but that's all he is. He doesn't really offer much except a half decent option when others are injured. Joelinton is a one of a kind player for us. We're much better with him in the side breaking up play and keeping a hold of the ball. Joelinton wasn't dropped due to performances, he was dropped due to injury. If he was fit, he'd have played. He should play. By your logic, we shouldn't drop Longstaff because he did well, so we also shouldn't drop Murphy because he was good last game also. No, absolutely not. If ASM and Joelinton are fit, they should play. If the Bournemouth game can be discounted as a measurement of quality for the player due to "everyone being ****", we can easily say it's not that impressive that some of our usually bang average players we great against 10 man Fulham without their best player. You could argue that picking our side for the next game shouldn't be heavily determined by what has happened the last two games. The reality is, Joelinton is part of our strongest 11, so is ASM. If they're both fit, Murphy and Longstaff should definitely be dropped.
I thought Joelinton was poor against Bournemouth and has been on a few occasions now. Its okay winning the ball back but he has to start doing something with it. I actually thought Longstaff was one of our better performers against Bournemouth. I wouldn't have a problem with keeping Joelinton on the bench and going with Willock, Guimares and Longstaff in midfield.
So far this season Joelinton hasn't had the impact he had last season, he just hasn't been that huge presence he was last season. In the same way that ASM had a poor period last season and wasn't always first team, but has forced his way back into being first team now. Longstaff's performances have greatly improved this season and the end of last season to the point where he's on the periphery of the starting IX, and if a player is out of form, then he should make the IX. Murphy I see more as an impact player/stand in.
Happy Canniversary @Darren Peacock's Ponytail https://www.shieldsgazette.com/spor...-on-brink-of-early-return-from-injury-3871103
Howe also revealed that Jonjo Shelvey is preparing to return to training today. The midfielder has made great strides since undergoing hamstring surgery in pre-season. Here is the update on Shelvey: “His recovery is going very well. He’s ahead of schedule and he’s hopefully going to be involved with us today in training for the first time. There will still be caution as to when he’s ready to play but he’s making positive strides at the moment.” Its obviously bollocks. Nobody could describe Shelvey’s strides as positive.
