Rafa Benitez has an ideal opportunity to give highly-rated young midfielder Sean Longstaff the chance to stake a claim for a first-team place this weekend, when they welcome Blackburn Rovers to St James’ Park in the FA Cup third round.
What’s the word?
The Magpies academy graduate made his first-team debut in the recent 4-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield, but impressed after entering the fray as a substitute. Following his cameo against the Reds, many of the club’s fans were calling for him to start the next Premier League game against Watford, but that opportunity never arose for the 21-year-old.
However, after a heavy festive period for Benitez’s thin squad, it is likely that the former Chelsea and Liverpool boss will ring the changes for the game against Rovers.
Additionally, the club from Tyneside are well in the midst of a relegation battle this season, and should be focusing all of their efforts on staying in the Premier League, so the need to rest their key men is huge.
Why should Longstaff start?
The youngster is a terrific talent who has also proved that he can be a goal threat. Longstaff spent last season on loan at Blackpool, where he managed to notch eight goals in 42 League One appearances.
Judging by the fact that Mike Ashley is looking unlikely to get his chequebook out yet again this January, it would be sensible of Benitez to test his fringe players’ credentials against decent opposition – if any of them do perform admirably, it could save the Spaniard a lot of stress in the second half of the season, and would be like a new signing for the St James’ Park faithful to watch.
Out of all the Magpies’ fringe players, Longstaff looks most likely to cause a ripple in the foundations of the first-team – chances are few and far between when you play for a club constantly battling relegation, so the 21-year-old must grab his opportunity with both hands.