Sean Longstaff

[Wilson]

I hope the local journalists ask Bruce about this lad's regression. 

 

Divnt be daft.

[triggs]

Matty is much more dynamic like. Not sure why Sean is still ahead in the pecking order

[Menace]

£25M for this lad, snap their fucking hands off. There's better midfielders in the Championship.

[Kanji]

Just looks like so lacking in confidence

[joeyt]

Another rubbish performance.

[Ketsbaia]

Second half of last season was an obvious purple patch, even at the time.

[nemtizz]

[Away Day Gadgie]

Young footballer in form dip shocker!

[Guest chopey]

I honestly think Bruces tactics have held this lad back but he doesnt want to rock the boat so he just does what he's told, he should be playing in the same position as Henderson at Liverpool but he sits so deep he's swamped by three centre backs and another holding midfielder right next to him, it seems like he barely has room to breathe during games

[duo]

Simple really- Rafa would coach players in training, drilling the tactics into his head- Bruce? Well nuff said

 

I honestly recon Joelinton could look a player under Rafa

[Aiston]

Young footballer in form dip shocker!

 

It's been a 'form dip' since he cam back from injury

[Guest]

He's probably had twice as many poor to average performances as good ones for us like.

[RS]

Long in staff, short in pace.

[Away Day Gadgie]

Young footballer in form dip shocker!

 

It's been a 'form dip' since he cam back from injury

 

Aye, his first bad injury and he came back into a team that hasn’t got a clue how to keep the ball or move up the pitch in a cohesive way.  But aye crack on blaming him ?

[Infinitely Content]

I honestly think Bruces tactics have held this lad back but he doesnt want to rock the boat so he just does what he's told, he should be playing in the same position as Henderson at Liverpool but he sits so deep he's swamped by three centre backs and another holding midfielder right next to him, it seems like he barely has room to breathe during games

 

His decision making with the ball has been shocking though, even in advanced positions - so it’s not a positional thing. He wants far too much time on the ball and gets caught on it so much or can’t hold his nerve and gives it away needlessly. He needs time out of the team imo, he’s not currently good enough.

[TRon]

Young footballer in form dip shocker!

 

It's been a 'form dip' since he cam back from injury

 

Aye, his first bad injury and he came back into a team that hasn’t got a clue how to keep the ball or move up the pitch in a cohesive way.  But aye crack on blaming him ?

 

Well that is what is most perplexing. Under Rafa his retention of the ball under pressure was impressive. It's always one of the qualities which strikes me from a player. But then Rafa had players moving in very clear channels, maybe the decision making was easier for players like Longstaff. Under Bruce there is probably far less clear instruction and he's getting caught on the ball while he looks for a team mate.

[Odear]

I honestly think Bruces tactics have held this lad back but he doesnt want to rock the boat so he just does what he's told, he should be playing in the same position as Henderson at Liverpool but he sits so deep he's swamped by three centre backs and another holding midfielder right next to him, it seems like he barely has room to breathe during games

 

His decision making with the ball has been shocking though, even in advanced positions - so it’s not a positional thing. He wants far too much time on the ball and gets caught on it so much or can’t hold his nerve and gives it away needlessly. He needs time out of the team imo, he’s not currently good enough.

 

So what’s changed? The thing that made him stand out last season was his ability to make space to give him extra time on the ball. That’s a basic ability/skill that some players just have.

 

He was injured, is he still struggling? Did all the links with Man Utd mess with his head? I don’t believe it’s all down to Bruce ruining a talent.. it’s those basic things that you can’t coach a player that have gone missing.

[AlanSkÃrare]

He was properly coached and played within a system that allowed him and most other players to perform and improve last season. With that comes confidence, you trust your surroundings and yourself. Rafa gives you that. Bruce doesn't.

[marki]

He was properly coached and played within a system that allowed him and most other players to perform and improve last season. With that comes confidence, you trust your surroundings and yourself. Rafa gives you that. Bruce doesn't.

  bang on

[STM]

My take on this lad is that with all the praise he got last season, he now expects to have more time on the ball.

 

It was noticeable that when Matty came on yesterday, he was much better than his older brother.

 

Sean needs told not to dither. One or two touches maximum, in our own half.

[LV]

Still think he’s being played too deep. Last season he was a threat in the opposition box, completely different this season.

[Yorkie]

Minhosa called it.

 

He's been outstanding.

 

This guy would benefit hugely from another couple of years under Rafa's tutelage to fully blossom.

 

He'd probably be shite under a PFM but under Rafa it's like his role has been completely drilled into him and he's sticking to it.

 

Love how calm on the ball he is. He nevers looks flusterered.

[Cronky]

My take on this lad is that with all the praise he got last season, he now expects to have more time on the ball.

 

It was noticeable that when Matty came on yesterday, he was much better than his older brother.

 

Sean needs told not to dither. One or two touches maximum, in our own half.

 

Nail head hit.

[Guest]

Should he need told not to dither? Ffs I hate Bruce as much as anyone but the amount of people seemingly passing the buck on his poor performances is crazy.

[mrmojorisin75]

There's a few things imo, certainly playing deeper for a start.

 

The hanging onto the ball thing, imo, is partly system based coupled with the above. He's not got the options for a pass he had last year when he looked good. We were playing well at that time and people were making moves into space all the time so he could move the ball on quickly and then move into space himself.

 

Now he's getting the ball very deep with only really long, direct passes to look for and that's clearly not something he's comfortable with therefore he's looking about longer for options all the time.