da dobrowin： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da heads bet： Former Chelsea forward Pat Nevin has hailed Newcastle United duo Matty and Sean Longstaff for their spirited display against Manchester United.
What’s he said?
Nevin has been speaking with Chelsea’s official website ahead of Newcastle’s trip to Stamford Bridge this Saturday, and noted how some of the Toon first-team showed no signs of taking pride in their efforts when trounced 5-0 by Leicester City.
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The result was Newcastle’s fourth defeat in seven Premier League games, and featured a quick-fire spate of goals by the Foxes, who hit three in ten minutes shortly after half-time to pull clear of Steve Bruce’s 10-man side.
Isaac Hayden had been shown a straight red card moments before the break by referee Craig Pawson, and the former Arsenal man’s suspension led to Bruce handing the younger of the Longstaff brothers his Premier League debut against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
The Rotherham-born 19-year-old repaid his faith by striking the winning goal, but Nevin feels the Longstaff brothers brought more to the Newcastle side than the match-winning effort.
Speaking with Chelsea’s official website, he said:
“It isn’t always easy when you are being lauded by everyone to see the value of having pride in your work, even when things are not go so well. I watched Newcastle a few weeks back against Manchester United and I saw an echo of that spirit, which is handy for them, as the week before, when losing to Leicester, the spirit was notable only for its absence.
“The young Longstaff brothers in midfield last week were the epitome of the pride in their play and in their shirts that the home fans wanted to see. Every football fan knows it when he or she sees it.
“All players try during games, but there is something over and above the norm that we as fans are looking for. At Chelsea, I think we should consider ourselves lucky that we have that attitude all the way through our entire current side.”
Welcome boost in a challenging time
The Longstaff brothers being homegrown talents taking pride in the shirt they are wearing is a welcome boost for Newcastle in a challenging time at St. James’ Park.
If onlookers from outside the club like Nevin can see a side offering an abject performance and point out that some of those on the pitch are not giving their all, it is no wonder the North East outfit are struggling to deliver more favourable results on a regular basis.
Toon boss Bruce will hope that the Longstaff brothers efforts against United can now spark more confidence in those around them, as they are set for one of their toughest away days yet this season when they face Chelsea on Saturday.
The Stamford Bridge natives have been enjoying life with a young side under Frank Lampard this term, with 22-year-old Tammy Abraham leading the Premier League’s goal chart alongside Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero with eight.
His goals have helped the west London outfit to the third-best attack in total, and one that is creating an average of 16 shots per game when playing on home soil, per WhoScored data.
The Magpies will need all the help they can get this weekend and the Longstaff brothers could well be key.