‘Not been easy’ - Newcastle United star dropped for five games singled out by Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe hailed Sean Longstaff’s tactical awareness following Newcastle United’s 1-0 win over Arsenal.
The Toon boss brought Longstaff back into the fold for the Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea in midweek. An assured midfield performance brought balance to the United engine room - a quality missing all season.
Longstaff kept his place as Newcastle edged out the Gunners at St James' Park. Partnered alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock, the North Shields native earned post-match plaudits for covering every blade of grass.
Howe singled out the 27-year-old for battling through a difficult period that saw him left out of the team for five Premier League games. He said post-match: “I thought Sean played really well today. I thought his technical ability was really high, he played some lovely passes and his defensive understanding is always very strong.
“He knows where to stand and how I want the team to play in every situation. (I am) delighted for him because it’s not been an easy period for him. He has had to work his way back into the team and, when you get your opportunity, you have to take it and I think he’s done that in the last two games.”
Astonishingly, the Magpies have won six and drawn one of the seven games Longstaff has started this season. Howe admitted that static played a part in his pre-game thinking - which saw Sandro Tonali dropped - but was not the be-all and end-all.
“I don't think it's a coincidence from my side,” he added. “Statistically, the team with Sean in it has a really high percentage win record and we do look at those types of things because, sometimes, it can give you a clue.
“It doesn't give you the answer but it can just give you a clue about certain things. Sean does bring certain things and his tactical understanding is second to none so he does help the team in various ways but there are lots of other reasons for that. I don't think it's just as simple as putting Sean in the team and you win but I wish it was that easy.”