Sean Longstaff

[Guybrush]

3 hours ago, McCormick said:

In his post match interview he said “fans think I can’t pass a ball 2 yards”… So you can see the stick he receives does get to him.

 

This is atrocious. At the risk of sounding like a bullying advert, people need to realise they're directing criticism at a real person.

 

Hate owt like this, me.

[Lotus]

Purely speculative but I reckon it would’ve given him a proper confidence boost when Eddie told him he’s starting ahead of Tonali. He’s there on merit now too. 

[Smal]

3 hours ago, McCormick said:

In his post match interview he said “fans think I can’t pass a ball 2 yards”… So you can see the stick he receives does get to him.

Think he suffers from being too local, if that makes any sense. He seems to be hyper-aware of the fan zeitgeist and, whether the criticism is justified or not (and I happen to think it’s over the top) it’s not great for a player’s confidence. Lad needs to somehow find a way to separate himself from all of that and focus on delivering more performances like this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

more than anyone else who plays for us, Sean is a fan like any of us.I wish our fans would remember that even when he’s not playing great. Should just be supporting him all the time.

[JigsawGoesToPieces]

His best performance of 2024 imo

[80]

4 minutes ago, Lotus said:

Purely speculative but I reckon it would’ve given him a proper confidence boost when Eddie told him he’s starting ahead of Tonali. He’s there on merit now too. 

The problem is I don't think it will and that post match interview proves it. Selected for a start against Arsenal, has his best game for ages amidst the team's best performance for ages, and secures a vital win against top class opposition. And he came out afterwards... Well, I'll resist saying everything I think, but he clearly dwells on the negative.

[Heron]

29 minutes ago, 80 said:

The problem is I don't think it will and that post match interview proves it. Selected for a start against Arsenal, has his best game for ages amidst the team's best performance for ages, and secures a vital win against top class opposition. And he came out afterwards... Well, I'll resist saying everything I think, but he clearly dwells on the negative.

As a species we dwell on the negatives though.

 

It's a bit like with Pope: Fans were groaning every time it was played back to him yesterday and I 100% understand why. However, audibly groaning before he actually makes the mistake isn't exactly gonna help him to perform better is it. He starts shiteing himself more then it's like some form of self-fulfilling prophecy and then it's spirals downwards each time.

 

I just don't get the mentality of the crowd at times.

 

Was really good to hear the corner singing for SL yesterday. I hope that helps perk him up.

 

 

Edited November 3, 2024 by Heron

[80]

3 minutes ago, Heron said:

As a species we dwell on the negatives though.

 

It's a bit like with Pope: Fans were groaning every time it was played back to him yesterday and I 100% understand why. However, audibly groaning before he actually makes the mistake isn't exactly gonna help him to perform better is it. He starts shiteing himself more then it's like some form of self-fulfilling prophecy and then it's spirals downwards each time.

 

I just don't get the mentality of the crowd at times.

 

Was really good to hear the corner singing for SL yesterday. I hope that helps perk him up.

 

 

 

I agree with most of your post, I'm no fan of supporters who think they win points if they manage to groan before a player makes a mistake, they're idiots. 

 

But Pope is a decent enough counter example (Burn is even better). There's no doubt he hears negativity, and he looks like he's feels it internally, but he focuses and has the willpower to keep trying to do the hard things like racing out of his box. It'd be easier to stay on his line, he's far less likely to get dog's abuse and smashed in the press that way, but he doesn't, and respect to him for that.

 

With Longstaff though, it seems like if he's given 50,000 cheers and one boo, that boo will cut through to him, which isn't really viable long term. I honestly wouldn't be too surprised if he'd also thrive somewhere else like Forest - maybe their boos would feel less close to home because he never fantasized about playing for them as a kid, and he'd deal with it better.

[TRon]

4 hours ago, McCormick said:

In his post match interview he said “fans think I can’t pass a ball 2 yards”… So you can see the stick he receives does get to him.

Think he suffers from being too local, if that makes any sense. He seems to be hyper-aware of the fan zeitgeist and, whether the criticism is justified or not (and I happen to think it’s over the top) it’s not great for a player’s confidence. Lad needs to somehow find a way to separate himself from all of that and focus on delivering more performances like this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think confidence is his main issue. He's looked a lot more relaxed in his passing since coming back into the side on Wednesday, taking a second and looking around before moving it on which has helped a lot. He's a hard runner and has got good defensive instincts, that's worth a lot in some set ups. There's a reason Rafa rated him so highly, for his set up where he wanted no space afforded to the opposition, it was invaluable.

[St1pe]

4 hours ago, McCormick said:

In his post match interview he said “fans think I can’t pass a ball 2 yards”… So you can see the stick he receives does get to him.

Think he suffers from being too local, if that makes any sense. He seems to be hyper-aware of the fan zeitgeist and, whether the criticism is justified or not (and I happen to think it’s over the top) it’s not great for a player’s confidence. Lad needs to somehow find a way to separate himself from all of that and focus on delivering more performances like this one.

 

 

 

 

 

Could probably do with some Wor Flags love 

[mofo]

Class yesterday, you can see why football coaches love him Vs how fan's rate him. 

 

It's crazy how much we miss him when he's not playing/not on form.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

4 hours ago, Nine said:

Nah, not really I’m just poking some fun. I do find that he becomes one of the whipping boys fairly quickly when things arnt going our way though. 

 

 

 

Also if you don’t rate him you generally will keep quiet when we win. Seems a bit unnecessary to come on say he’s still not good enough. 

[Heron]

38 minutes ago, St1pe said:

Could probably do with some Wor Flags love 

Got some last season.

 

We could perhaps get a more 'mainstay' flag though

[St1pe]

41 minutes ago, Heron said:

Got some last season.

 

We could perhaps get a more 'mainstay' flag though

I’d completely forgot about that 👍

[PauloGeordio]

Hope he can keep up this form 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

 

 

Edited November 4, 2024 by PauloGeordio

[pinkeye]

The thing with Longstaff, and I am one of those that groans at the thought of him playing for our team, is that it is impossible to see what he does that is particularly good.  As a result the odd thing he does that is poor seems to be amplified.

 

HOWEVER - I am happy to say that whatever it is that he does, he does seem to make the team tick and adds some cohesion to the midfield that really has been missing for the last few games.

 

I am also happy to say that I am very prepared to change my opinion of him, he seems to be a decent kid with his heart exactly where it needs to be.

[TRon]

38 minutes ago, PauloGeordio said:

Hope he can keep up this form 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

 

 

 

 

 

I don't see why not. Yesterday's game we conceded possession and let Arsenal have over 60% according to the tv coverage stats. His defensive contribution was never in question, one of the reasons why Rafa rated him highly. I guess when we play worse teams with a low block, that's when his limitations might become more of a hindrance.

 

I also think he came into the team at the right time when the Joelinton and Willock combo on the left was reintroduced. That worked really well against Chelsea in the cup as well when Tonali was playing in place of Bruno.

[nufcjmc]

My mind was made up last year I am afraid following last year injury or not. Squad player hell yes but I find when he plays well it's instantly amplified due to how poor he can be. Like in my head I see praise and go wow congrats for doing that pass longer than a few yards or congrats you chased and harassed the opposition rather than let them free unchallenged.

 

Part of the extremely negative side of me is saying wow Sean is last year of deal and wants another 3 year one so is playing out of his skin to get it. 

 

Can't help myself want better and we don't have to go out and buy it given the chance surely tonali does what he does and more. 

 

Can't deny intangible or not he does something for the teams harmony just think is it only because it's him. 

 

Still want the 3 points at the end of the day if Howe think that's happening because it's Sean then I support the manager. 

[PauloGeordio]

1 minute ago, TRon said:

 

 

I don't see why not. Yesterday's game we conceded possession and let Arsenal have over 60% according to the tv coverage stats. His defensive contribution was never in question, one of the reasons why Rafa rated him highly. I guess when we play worse teams with a low block, that's when his limitations might become more of a hindrance.

 

I also think he came into the team at the right time when the Joelinton and Willock combo on the left was reintroduced. That worked really well against Chelsea in the cup as well when Tonali was playing in place of Bruno.

He’s a confidence player too and this will help him, hopefully settle the home crowd groaners and allow him to kick on with his form. He’s got a great engine on him.

[PopeandGlory]

I just think he always looks like the weak link in the team whenever he plays. He was our joint lowest outfield player rating on Saturday on the stat site I saw.

 

He always picks the easy pass when there are more progressive options on, or will take so long to decide what he needs to do so the chance has gone.

 

He doesn’t really offer a goal threat or assists. His best return was last season (6G, 2A), which is the only time he’s ever scored more than 1 goal in a season.

 

He’s also not particularly a solid defensive midfielder as we saw last season when our midfield was cut through like a hot knife through butter with him consistently in it.

 

I wouldn’t say his performance on Saturday proved he should be playing ahead of a €60m Italian international. What it might prove is the midfield needs better balance.

 

 

Edited November 4, 2024 by PopeandGlory

[Alberto2005]

Love all the positive comments this weekend across all platforms.

 

He deserves praise for his performance Saturday, but it's laughable people now saying he's a good player.

 

I'm fine keeping him as a squad player for now, but if we want to be pushing the top 4 each season I wouldn't want him starting many games.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Yeah, ultimately it would be bizarre to prefer him to Tonali. But obviously we need a squad. 

[JEToon]

When you start to be gutted about how excited fans get when a player plays well because you want to win arguments on the Internet you need to get out and about and touch grass. 

[TRon]

17 hours ago, Alberto2005 said:

Love all the positive comments this weekend across all platforms.

 

He deserves praise for his performance Saturday, but it's laughable people now saying he's a good player.

 

I'm fine keeping him as a squad player for now, but if we want to be pushing the top 4 each season I wouldn't want him starting many games.

 

As long as we keep winning I'm sure everyone is happy. There's going to be games where we won't be able to open sides up and we'll need more inventiveness and skill on the ball. Not sure if Tonali is the answer either, but he's a better footballer given the right set up.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

54 minutes ago, JEToon said:

When you start to be gutted about how excited fans get when a player plays well because you want to win arguments on the Internet you need to get out and about and touch grass. 

Who’s doing this? 

[Conjo]

19 hours ago, PopeandGlory said:

He always picks the easy pass when there are more progressive options on, or will take so long to decide what he needs to do so the chance has gone.

 

Think this is symptomatic for a lot of our players. It annoys me particularly when the defence is passing the ball amongst themselves while being closed down by the opposition. Unless Schar is trying a hollywood pass to one of the wings, he'll rarely pass the ball longer than to the players closest to him i.e Livramento or Burn, even if Hall is open and an early pass to him will give him more time to do something productive with the ball before being closed down. Same with Burn who will pass to Hall or Schar even if Livramento is more open on the right. We all know that the ball is going to the fullbacks eventually. Why give the opposition more time to close us down?