Newcastle United loanee Matty Longstaff scored his first goal for Mansfield Town on Saturday. They beat Bradford City 2-0, and Longstaff was able to double the Stags’ lead as they took all three points.
The 21-year-old joined the League Two side near the end of deadline day, agreeing a loan deal until the end of the season according to Mansfield’s club website.
It was a move that took some fans by surprise, but Longstaff deserves respect for wanting to head out on loan again. At the start of the season, he joined Aberdeen on loan but was called back by the end of 2021.
‘I’m loving it’: Longstaff is really enjoying his time under Nigel Clough
Speaking to the Stags’ club website, Longstaff spoke on his time at the club so far.
“I’m absolutely loving it [here],” he said.
“The manager and his staff have been unbelievable.
“The lads are great to work with every day, they’re top players and I’m loving it.”
Thus far it appears that the midfielder’s time in Mansfield is going a lot better than his stint with Aberdeen. He’s only two appearances away from equalling the total that he made north of the border.
Furthermore, in all three of his performances for the Stags, Longstaff has started the match. That means he’s already equalled the number starts he made in an Aberdeen shirt.
Mansfield are unbeaten in their last five games and sit 6th in League Two. They have two games in hand on Sutton United in 5th and are only a point behind them.
Only four points separate 8th and 2nd place, so everything is all to play for. Longstaff will hope that he can help push the Stags into an automatic promotion slot. Getting 2nd or 3rd would see them go up automatically.
Newcastle will be pleased that Matty is enjoying his spell away at Mansfield. Hopefully, it can give his career a much-needed lift. Perhaps it can steer his career back in the right direction, after showing promise against the likes of Manchester United.
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