He did well last season in spells. He now has to show those spells were actual signs of development. I have major concerns about him on the ball. I don't want to see my midfielders look that robotic on the ball. You want elegance like young Longstaff, mixed with a genuine ball winner who can play. I said all summer the holding midfield role was crucial so if we are just staying put with Longstaff, Hayden, Shelvey, Ki and Colback - I'd be worried as far as us progressing much. Its still te most important area of a football pitch and being brutal, outside of young Longstaff we have a serious lack of quality. If Hayden and Shelvey were back up to Longstaff and a quality holder, I'd think "yep that is serious midfield quartet". I honestly think that one quality central midfielder alongside Longstaff could have a huge impact.
Issue being we will sell Longstaff... Leaving Colback, Shelvey, Hayden and... Saivet? We are always short on numbers, we are used to that. Now we are short of quality as well and need a few more signings like today before the season starts.
There have been repeated rumours that we are after a CM player this summer. In this alternate reality where MA sanctions a £35 - £40million spend on Joelinton we may get someone decent, who knows.
Hayden has a well documented reason to move south. The fact that only injuries got him back in the team last season, suggest he was not on the previous manager's pick list, which may have been equally part of his desire to leave. Haydon fits perfectly Into Bruce's player profile. I hope he stays and makes that role in front of the back four his own. We shall see how good Longstaff is this season. I'm not yet personally convinced he is quite as good as we all think he is. But then, I think the same about Almiron so WTF do I know.
Easiest way to respond to that is to compare. Rafa manages his system and expects strict adherance to it at all times. Bruce manages his players and tweaks his system according to their abilities, whilst still encouraging creativity. Compare possession stats in January compared to last season and I think you will see what I mean. Both expect maximum effort and commitment. Haydon has obvious premier league quality, I believe Bruce will get the best out of his skill set given his desire to improve.
