This is brilliant from Alan Shearer on Sean Longstaff – Nail on the head?

Speaking after our victory against Arsenal on Saturday, Alan Shearer leaped to the defence of Sean Longstaff and explained exactly why the Geordie midfielder is “underappreciated” by many on Tyneside. 

Longstaff was taken out of the team by Eddie Howe earlier in the season to make way for Sandro Tonali, but our form took a downward turn from that point onwards – until the 27-year-old returned to Howe’s XI last week. 

That’s no slight on Tonali, who is an excellent player and worthy of a position in the team. However, recent results have highlighted Longstaff’s importance to the side, with us winning six and drawing one of the last seven games he’s started.

Shearer has praised Longstaff for doing the unglamorous but vital work he’s done in our 2-0 and 1-0 wins over Chelsea and Arsenal last week, feeling he doesn’t get the plaudits he deserves largely because he’s an academy graduate who didn’t cost upwards of £40m.

The Newcastle legend added that Longstaff has been doing some “incredible work” for the team lately and what he lacks in “flair” he makes up for with his “attitude and willingness” as he allows others ahead of him to shine. 

Shearer said: “What happens, and it’s not just at Newcastle, is that if you’re a homegrown player you perhaps don’t always get the same appreciation as someone who comes in for £50m or £60m and Sean is a great example of that.

“There’s no one who loves Newcastle more, there’s no one who covers as much ground as he does. He might at times lack a bit of flair maybe what Bruno does, but what he lacks in that he more than makes up with his attitude and willingness.

“He might not be appreciated at times by the Newcastle faithful but if you look at him he does incredible work for the team.”