Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff was a big miss in the middle of the park as Aston Villa ended the Magpies' fine winning run on Saturday. The 25-year-old has enjoyed arguably his best season in a black and white shirt has salvaged his career on Tyneside in the process.
Longstaff continues to earn plenty of plaudits from Eddie Howe, with the Newcastle boss claiming the midfielder's performances continue to go 'under the radar'. However, it's clear Longstaff has a huge impact off the pitch and in the dressing room.
The academy graduate remains one of the most popular members of Newcastle's senior squad and continues to show time and time again that his positive presence in this setup is beneficial to his co-stars. First there was the impassioned defence of former Newcastle flop Joelinton.
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Back in December 2021 the Brazilian put in a barnstorming St James' Park performance against Manchester United to silence any remaining critics. Joelinton's move into midfield worked wonders on a personal level, and for the team, and Longstaff cleared up once and for all how good of a footballer the £40m really is.
"Honestly, if you ask anyone in the dressing room we know he’s that good regardless of what the outside people say," Longstaff said after Sky's interviewer expressed his surprise at the quality of Joelinton's performance.
"I think the disrespect he gets is a disgrace to be honest. I can honestly say everyday in training he’s the best player. If he’s on your team, you’re winning. If you get Joel you’re sort of buzzing."
That type of backing isn't an isolated incident, with Longstaff more recently backing Jacob Murphy following his return to the first-team fold. Like Joelinton, Murphy has struggled to win over the doubters on Tyneside but has recently fought his way into the good books with consistent performances.
The winger isn't the flashiest of attackers and still has aspects of his game to improve - but Longstaff again wasted no time championing his fellow Newcastle-supporting team-mate when given the opportunity.
Asked if every squad needs a Murphy, Longstaff waxed lyrical about another player who sometimes drifts under the radar. “A million percent," he responded. "I think Murph’s, within the group, everyone appreciates him and values him so highly. I think on the outside people don’t as much as they should do.
“If it wasn’t for Murph, a lot of the way the group is it wouldn’t be as together, the training standard wouldn’t be as high. You see him coming on in games and the impact he makes.
“It’s a comfort blanket knowing that you’ve got him to come on and change the game. He can make an impact in any situation, we’re really, really lucky to have him and probably someone that should get more credit.”
Longstaff has himself struggled to make an impact at times and almost departed his boyhood club under Steve Bruce, despite bursting onto the scene under his predecessor Rafael Benitez.
Howe has played a huge role in Longstaff's resurgence but dressing room leader Matt Ritchie was also a pivotal figure in his revival. The versatile Newcastle veteran is credited with offering Longstaff help when he really needed it.
Longstaff, as ever, praised his team-mate and thanked him for offering the kind of support he himself dishes out so often. "If it wasn't for Matty… he was the one who said 'Longy, you need help'," he said.
"I was miserable. In training, I was a bit of a t*t. I wasn't nice to be around. Some people just let you drift away, but he was the one who pulled me back. I'd been for breakfast and I broke down in tears in front of my old man. Matty texted me and said 'You need to speak to this guy'. A psychologist. I still speak to him now.
"Two and a half years later, if it wasn't for him getting me on the right track, I probably wouldn't be playing for Newcastle. I remind him every couple of months, and he gets pretty embarrassed."
With the club on the cusp of European football, Longstaff and a number of Newcastle stars are fighting for their future ahead of an expected squad overhaul this summer. The local lad has stepped up both on and off the pitch when it mattered, meaning he stands a very good chance of remaining long-term as his beloved club continue their journey upwards.
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