Daniel Farke was forced to make multiple changes to his Leeds United lineup for our game against Tottenham.
Lukas Nmecha came into the team as we initially lined up with two strikers.
Noah Okafor ultimately ended up coming on and winning the game for the Whites. This is despite the Swiss winger only being fit enough to make a cameo that lasted just over 15 minutes.
With Anton Stach also out injured, it gave Farke the perfect excuse to end a brutal 12-month hiatus for one Leeds United ace. In the end, it was a decision that paid off for Farke.
Sean Longstaff impresses in first Premier League start in nearly a year
Prior to the weekend, Sean Longstaff’s last Premier League start came against Aston Villa at Elland Road on 23 November last year.
But with Stach suffering from a broken toe, the stars finally aligned for Longstaff to come back into the starting XI in the league. The Englishman certainly impressed and took his chance in the midfield.
Stach’s sloppy passing has been frustrating to watch this season, but Longstaff kept hold of the ball well against Spurs.
He completed 21 of his 24 passes, including 11 of his 12 passes in the opposition half.
Longstaff also recorded two key passes during the game and came agonisingly close to scoring with his only shot of the match. Unfortunately, it was tipped over exceptionally by Antonin Kinsky from close range after Longstaff’s acrobatic first touch. (Sofascore)
The Englishman’s performance against Spurs showed that whilst Stach is not fully fit, or suffering from a dip in form, we have a more than worthy deputant within our squad in Longstaff. Farke should not be as reluctant to utilise him moving forward.
How Daniel Farke can consistently get the best out of Sean Longstaff
What I’ve noticed regarding Longstaff whilst he’s been at Leeds is that the games he features in and tends to receive criticism for playing poorly are usually when he has to sit as part of a midfield pairing.
This role does not get the most out of our £12million man.
Against Spurs, Longstaff had Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu alongside him as a three in midfield.
This allowed the 29-year-old to bomb on and be that box-crashing midfielder who provides us with an additional goal threat.
Longstaff isn’t the most technically gifted midfielder who can dictate a game.
He’s an impressive athlete who can cover ground really well. He’s proved that when he can be that third-man runner in the box, he’s capable of causing the opposition trouble.
Whilst Stach certainly possesses more quality when he is at his best, the German has been off it this season. So even when Stach is back, there is no reason why Longstaff should go nearly a year without starting a Premier League game for us ever again.
