Newcastle fans have been pleading on Twitter for Sean Longstaff to take Jonjo Shelvey’s place in the starting XI for their upcoming clash against Manchester City.
This comes after Newcastle news Twitter page @ChronicleNUFC shared a post on their official page claiming Longstaff is ready to fight for his place in Steve Bruce’s side.
This post also contained an article from Chronicle Live on Longstaff’s status at the Tyneside club at this moment in time.
The post then gathered a number of replies from Newcastle fans hoping to see Longstaff take his place back in the starting XI this weekend.
Should Sean Longstaff start against Manchester City?
Yes
No
Here’s a sample of Newcastle fans hoping Longstaff takes Shelvey’s place against City:
Sean Longstaff is back and ready to challenge for his #NUFC place https://t.co/iW4K235DDD
— The Chronicle (@ChronicleNUFC) November 28, 2019
Well he will provide more energy than shelvey if he plays against city . Can’t see them getting anything tho ! It’ll be interesting to watch and compare against last season performance at home against city !!!???
— Tony Cornfoot (@Tonyc1234) November 28, 2019
well from Bournemouth to villa showed the problem with shelvey. inconsistency. he was like the old shelvey against Bournemouth, pinging balls around the pitch and getting tackles in. against villa he pretty much offered nothing. get longstaff back in for me.
— Wayne heathwaite (@Wayneheathwaite) November 28, 2019
Straight in for Shelvey please
— Manic Dave (@scully161280) November 28, 2019
At the end of October, the midfielder, who is valued at £16.2 million (as per Transfermarkt), picked up his first red card, resulting in him missing Newcastle’s three previous league fixtures. With the recent international break in the middle of his ban, Longstaff has now gone five weeks without playing a match.
There is no challenge. Him and Hayden are our best pair. If we are going to play the formation we are we need them to break up play and get it wide. Get some crosses in I know that sounds alien to us.
— Gary Harrison (@tinyhaz) November 28, 2019
Both Longstaff’s HAVE to start Saturday against Man City. Surely any other combo is just daft #NUFC
— Scotty NUFC (@ScottyT9804) November 26, 2019
What do we think?
Shelvey received a rating of 6.86 for his performance against Aston Villa, which wasn’t too bad in terms of how other players fared on the field, but the fresh legs of Longstaff may be beneficial.
Indeed, if Longstaff is ready to play in Steve Bruce’s side against the Premier League champions after his lengthy spell out, then should be given a chance as his hard work off the ball may help contain the Manchester club, opposed to using Shelvey, who has already been called lazy this season.