Talking after our victory towards Arsenal on Saturday, Alan Shearer leaped to the defence of Sean Longstaff and defined precisely why the Geordie midfielder is “underappreciated” by many on Tyneside.
Longstaff was taken out of the group by Eddie Howe earlier within the season to make manner for Sandro Tonali, however our type took a downward flip from that time onwards – till the 27-year-old returned to Howe’s XI final week.
That’s no slight on Tonali, who is a superb participant and worthy of a place within the group, but the stats present Longstaff’s significance to the aspect, with us profitable six and drawing one of many final seven league video games he’s began.
Shearer has praised Longstaff for doing the unglamorous however very important work he’s completed in our 2-0 and 1-0 wins over Chelsea and Arsenal final week, feeling he doesn’t get the plaudits he deserves largely as a result of he’s an academy graduate who didn’t value upwards of £40m.
The Newcastle legend added that Longstaff has been doing a little “unbelievable work” for the group these days and what he lacks in “aptitude” he makes up for along with his “angle and willingness” as he permits others forward of him to shine.
Shearer mentioned: “What occurs, and it’s not simply at Newcastle, is that should you’re a homegrown participant you maybe don’t at all times get the identical appreciation as somebody who is available in for £50m or £60m and Sean is a superb instance of that.
“There’s nobody who loves Newcastle extra, there’s nobody who covers as a lot floor as he does. He would possibly at occasions lack a little bit of aptitude possibly what Bruno does, however what he lacks in that he greater than makes up along with his angle and willingness.
“He may not be appreciated at occasions by the Newcastle devoted however should you have a look at him he does unbelievable work for the group.”