---
title: "Former Blackpool boss Bowyer hails the progress of Longstaff"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2018/09/10/former-blackpool-boss-bowyer-hails-the-progress-of-longstaff/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Osman"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2018-09-10T17:01:09Z"
modified: "2018-09-10T17:01:09Z"
---

# Former Blackpool boss Bowyer hails the progress of Longstaff

Former Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer has heaped praise on Newcastle United youngster Sean Longstaff.

The ex-Seasiders boss worked closely with Longstaff throughout last season as the young midfielder enjoyed first-team football on a regular basis whilst away from Newcastle on loan.

Longstaff found the net on nine occasions for Blackpool last season, establishing himself as a key player in Bowyer’s plans.

Newcastle proceeded to keep hold of him during the recently-concluded summer transfer window and Longstaff was even handed his senior bow for the club in their recent 3-1 defeat in the Carabao Cup away at Nottingham Forest.

![Stu Forster/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnewcastle.com/readnewcastle/sites/20/2018/09/1005054780.jpg)

As quoted by the [Blackpool Gazette](https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/sean-longstaff-s-emergence-at-newcastle-united-no-surprise-to-former-blackpool-boss-gary-bowyer-1-9342759), Bowyer took the time to reflect on the youngster’s tenure at Bloomfield Road, waxing lyrical about the player’s rapid development.

> He’s got fantastic ability and he’s a fantastic lad as well. He wants to get better and that was the big thing about him; he was always looking to improve, always in the office looking at his clips for ways he could get better. Personally, as a coach and as a manager, I’m delighted to see the progress he’s made in pre-season.

Longstaff will be desperate to make his mark on Newcastle’s first-team this season but faces stiff competition in the midfield, with several senior players currently ahead of him.

> He’s got a lot of talent and he’s got a good family behind him that really support him and push him. And working with Rafa Benítez, he’s got a great opportunity to improve his game even further now.

> Hopefully, he breaks through and becomes a regular for Newcastle.