Sean Longstaff was the big story on the pitch for Newcastle last season, and indeed, one of the stories of the Premier League season as a whole, such was his influence when he got his chance.
It saw him the subject of one of the summer’s longest transfer sagas, with Manchester United allegedly wanting to take him to Old Trafford, and reportedly willing to offer big money to do so.
His season was cut short due to a ligament injury, which saw him use the summer as a rehabilitation period, in a bid to be ready for the start of the season.
His form has been nowhere near that of last term, and even led to him being rested – or effectively dropped – for the trip to Norwich, although he came off the bench for a 16 minute cameo.
Against Watford, Longstaff gave the ball away on a number of occasions, often playing his team into trouble, with him not able to find a teammate with simple 10 to 15 yard passes.
It could be that he is still trying to find his feet following the injury, and that his fitness is not quite at its peak yet, but fans will hope for a return to the scintillating displays of last season, which had him on the verge of an England call-up.
Everyone will hope that last season was not a flash in the pan for the local midfielder, and that the old adage of form is temporary, class is permanent, is the case for him.
Time will help Sean Longstaff rediscover his best form
If his slump continues in the long-term, it could have the Newcastle hierarchy ruing their decision to spurn attempts to buy the player, irrespective of how much they offered.
It would also leave them a dilemma over what to do if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer comes calling in January.
Personally, I think that his form will return, and that his game is suffering from the psychological recovery from the injury, more than the physical side.
For a young lad to endure such a horrible ligament issue, it is bound to play on his mind. Every time he sprints, plays the ball, goes in for a hard tackle, some part of his brain will have him worrying that it could go again.
Of course, that will fade with time, and is bound to affect a youngster more than an older, more battle-worn player.
And time is something that he has on his side, which is why it is definitely too early to be writing one of our brightest talents off, after just a handful of below par games so soon after coming back.
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