22 February 2023 , 17:00
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Sean Longstaff has admitted he was saved by team-mate Matt Ritchie after a mental breakdown left him in tears.
The Geordie midfielder will walk out at Wembley on Sunday with a huge smile, feeling free from pressure, and ready to help the Toon make history in the Carabao Cup. But the 25-year-old endured a tough time after a knee injury hampered his rapid progress, and he feared for his future while Steve Bruce was manager.
Eddie Howe has got Longstaff flying - his two goals in the semi-final second leg against Southampton earned United a place at Wembley and a crack at their first domestic trophy since 1955.
Longstaff said: “Matty Ritchie pulled us aside and said: ‘Longy you need some help’. I was miserable. In training, can I swear, I was a bit of a tit and I wasn’t nice to be around and he saw that.
“Some people let you drift away but he pulled me back and he said ‘you need to sort it out’.
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“After I’d been for breakfast I broke down (in tears) in front of my old man (Dave, an ex ice-hockey pro). Matty said ‘you need to speak to this guy (a sports psychologist) - speak to him now’.
“Two and a half years later, if it wasn’t for him getting me on the right track I probably wouldn’t be playing for Newcastle now.”
Young Newcastle stars are often judged harshly and shoulder a big burden and Longstaff added: “When you’re good they (the fans) think you’re Maradona and probably think you’re better than you are. Then, when you aren’t doing so well you get more stick.
Longstaff is now ready to play for Newcastle at Wembley in the League Cup final (Newcastle United via Getty Image)“When you’re not winning this can be quite a tough place to be. As a young local lad you take on all the pressure and all the expectations of everyone. I’m just happy I’m out the other side of that now and I’m a lot happier. I’m smiling a lot more.
“People think you’ve got the best job in the world but sometimes it can be the toughest job in the world. I can enjoy it more now. I hope people can see in my performances, they’re a lot more free. It’s always been there. I know now it’s just trying to sort out the mind and keep everything nice and calm.”
When Longstaff fired Newcastle to Wembley he shared a special moment with fellow Geordie, defender Dan Burn.
“On that night driving in was a different feeling”, he said. “Before the game I locked eyes with Burny and I thought we were going to shed a little tear together. When I scored he grabbed me and said how proud of me he was. That meant the world to me.
Longstaff burst onto the scene for Newcastle before going through a tough time (Getty Images)“It was such a special night and to score the two goals. After the game I said to Dan: ‘Did you think we’d be doing this when we were playing each other Wigan v Blackpool five years ago?’ It is funny how football works out.”
Longstaff was rumoured to be close to a £50m switch to Manchester United after breaking into the team under Rafa Benitez but he explained: “I was a young lad at the time, I had played nine games. It was a whirlwind.
“It is just as well it didn’t happen because I now get a chance to play for Newcastle in a cup final which I dreamed of as a kid. I don’t think people thought it would be this team that would win a trophy for Newcastle, so that’s driving us on even more.
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“I think this club is going to get there and win leagues and hopefully win trophies but to be the team that wins the first trophy would be special and that’s what’s driving us.”