LIFE’S A BEACH!
Guimaraes and Longstaff are Geordies’ shore-fire hits
Simon Bird
BRUNO GUIMARAES grew up on the Copacabana. Sean Longstaff on Longsands beach in Tynemouth.
“He probably never thought that playing with a lad from North Shields would work so well! It’s a nice little partnership,” said Longstaff.
The pair have forged a major link-up over the last 18 months, with Geordie Longstaff ’s energy, running power and measured distribution complementing Bruno G’s risk taking and playmaking.
They are the engine room of boss Eddie Howe’s side, as seen in the 4-1 Champions League win against Paris Saint-germain on Wednesday.
They will continue the Toon’s push at West Ham today, and Longstaff said: “It’s been really good since I’ve been back in. Not just me, Bruno has been really, really good next to me. He’s been outstanding the last four or five games.
“We go as he goes – it’s a lot more down to him. Do I do Bruno’s running?
REPORTING
That’s unfair because I still think Bruno does a lot of running, he’s probably just a bit smarter than me!
“We complement each other really well. He’s so good on the ball that if he’s going to try things, he has to take risks to be the player he is. If I’m next to him, he knows that if it doesn’t come off then I’ll be around as cover.
“We’ve probably got more in common than you think. A lot of it is just speaking about normal stuff – what we’ve been watching on the telly, I’ll ask him about his family.
“We speak about a lot more normal stuff than people would think. That’s the best way to get to know people and gain their trust.”
He added: “That number eight role on the right is perfect for me. You get to do a bit of both, at Sheffield I dropped deeper with Bruno and linked it a bit more and then there are games when I’m a bit higher.
“I get to pick and choose what I want to do, it’s a bit of a free role. It’s funny that out of everyone in our team I have that role and responsibility. It’s great for my confidence, I love it.”
As Newcastle spend on new players, Longstaff has grown in stature and Howe reckons England is a realistic aim for him.
“I’d encourage it for him because I think he is good enough. I think he’s got everything depending on what system you want to play,’’ said the Toon boss.
“I’d love to see him score more goals and get in more goalscoring positions because he is a very good finisher – as you saw the other night with a really good goal against PSG.
‘‘But he’s certainly done very well at the start of this season.”