Sean Longstaff Appreciation Thread

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
The problem is it's one dimemsional and unsustainable. Either levels drop - as has happened dramatically this season - or other teams work you out. Look back on the constant defeats and watch as other teams target Bruno - there's only so much running Longstaff can do, before teams stop worrying about him being in possession and press Bruno instead. What's really started to grate on me is Bruno gets ball, is pressed then fouled about 30 yards from our goal - and the fans cheer. It's stupid, because it's a tactic opposition have used to great effect - we can't then counter, and a free kick in that area is irrelevant, they just reset at a canter.

Longstaff, much like Burn, Murphy and Almiron, is no threat in possession and easy to control. He lacks any real vision and his only threat now is his running off the ball. But yesterday for one of their goals their midfield - LUTON's midfield, costing about £3.50 - just cut through him (and Bruno), then watching them try and run back is borderline amusing, particularly Bruno.

Joelinton and Willock in possession are far more dangerous than anyone we currently have, plus both have more pace and Joelinton is a beast at times. Longstaff is nowhere near either. However, both these lads play in the same position!!

I'd keep Longstaff as a squad player. There's so many worse than him.
But for me that’s the point. If Joelinton and Willock are fit then Longstaff doesn’t play. He’s only playing because they are both injured and have been for protracted periods especially Willock this season. Last season that wasn’t the case and Longstaff played a lot less. He is a squad player but due to injuries he’s playing.

Edit: Or you could simply what Fat Boy said above or add Tonali to my comments.

Read to the end before……
 
Scoring goals wasn’t the problem yesterday.

It was conceding them. We can’t just blame the defence for that.

I don’t think any players played well defensively.

Longstaff however wasn’t at fault for any goals yesterday.
Weak challenge in the turnover of possession for their 2nd. I'd be furious with myself if I competed like that.
 
Just to clarify my mattress moisture - dry.

Longstaff is a squad player, playing up a few rungs due to injuries. We said last year he had to drop down the order - cue Tonali. He'll gradually play less and less, but will likely be here fora long time due local lad / homegrown status.
He’s going to score the winner in our first Champions League final
 
Outside the strikers he's 3rd in terms of goal contributions and second top scorer. Does what he does well - not world class but not ****e either despite some opinions. Box to Box midfielder who'll win a few tackles (gold star for the first window licker to bring up City game), get himself a few goals and generally is very good in terms of his positional sense when out of possession. He makes some smart runs in behind and if there was one criticism I'd lie at his door is he doesn't take enough of the glaring 1v1 chances he get's himself into and he can be a bit soft when being opposed for the ball. Not a starting XI player when everyone is fit but I'd be amazed if he doesn't make 20 appearances a season going forwards in the league and then cup games on top.
 
He’s a good squad player to have to help out when legs are going.

That was always his role this season but injuries have destroyed us.

And Tonali. It’s amazing how 2 midfielders missing posts the balance.

I don’t recall pre Howe us having so many injuries mind.

Yes he's a good enough squad player I would agree with that.

I remember having an injury crisis under Steve Bruce and the fans were united in their conviction that he was responsible.
 
He’s a good squad player to have to help out when legs are going.

That was always his role this season but injuries have destroyed us.

And Tonali. It’s amazing how 2 midfielders missing posts the balance.

I don’t recall pre Howe us having so many injuries mind.
We've had lots of times when there has been an injury crises. We seem to have a history of it. I remember years ago we had about half the squad out all with hamstring pulls.
 
We've had lots of times when there has been an injury crises. We seem to have a history of it. I remember years ago we had about half the squad out all with hamstring pulls.
I can’t recall it being this bad. I guess the days when we played 7 left backs under Pardew maybe were linked to injuries.

We have had a horrific season of injuries which is totally bizarre.
 
We've had lots of times when there has been an injury crises. We seem to have a history of it. I remember years ago we had about half the squad out all with hamstring pulls.

I can say with confidence I remember two managers who were particularly atrocious with injuries. Steve Bruce, and Graeme Souness. Souey I seem to recall loved really old school training, running on the beach type ****.
 
Technically yes by avoiding yellow cards in 50/50s . Instead he gives the ball away.
There’s always at least one occasion every match where Longstaff falls over the ball (the wind) trying to get a free kick, doesn’t get it as the refs don’t fall for it anymore and leads to the opposition having a chance. Does my head in when he does that
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fox Mulder
There’s always at least one occasion every match where Longstaff falls over the ball (the wind) trying to get a free kick, doesn’t get it as the refs don’t fall for it anymore and leads to the opposition having a chance. Does my head in when he does that

Indeed but he's one of these players that is never responsible. He's the guy at work who is dreadful in major areas of his job, but never gets any **** from the boss.
 
Sorry mate but I’m trying to keep a tally here. Is there anyone you actually do like?

I like Gordon Bruno Botman Willock Joelinton Barnes Almiron Isak Livramento and Trippier... maybe Tonali once he's not ruining seasons with his behaviour.... all the others are of no consequence.