It is time we as Newcastle United fans accept that the best XI is not necessarily the best team

There is a real desire from Newcastle United fans to see the midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali click but so far we've not seen any real hint that it's going to happen.

On paper, actually it's 2024, so on Football Manager, you're likely going to put that midfield trio together as part of your starting XI as they're three of the biggest names at the club.

Eddie Howe has tried to make it work all season, but it, for whatever reason, just doesn't click.

On Wednesday, Howe dropped Bruno G for the Carabao Cup game over Chelsea with Sandro Tonali taking his role in the centre of the midfield three and he had his best game in a black and white shirt since his debut against Aston Villa.

Eddie Howe has been playing with his midfield selection

Then on Saturday, Howe reversed the decision, starting Bruno and dropping Tonali to the bench and Newcastle won again.

Also, in both of those games, Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff were the other two central midfielders with Joelinton playing higher as a left winger.

It worked both times with Newcastle recording back-to-back wins. It surely wasn't a coincidence, and we are coming around to the thinking that a team with Sean Longstaff in it, is somehow better than one without him.

We say that as Sean Longstaff's biggest critics. He makes the simple things look impossible at times, but there's no denying that he brings a safety to the team that is missing when he's not on the pitch.

Newcastle have won every game Sean Longstaff as started in this season

The stats speak for themselves with Newcastle's win percentage being higher with Longstaff in the starting XI. In fact, this season, we've won every game in which the academy graduate has started.

Longy is rarely, if ever, going to stand out as a top performer, but he does the dirty work in the background. The non-flashy stuff that just gets ignored. The stuff that the likes of Tonali would be less likely to do.

So while we'd love to see all of our stars on the pitch together, it might be time to accept that it may not be the best plan. It certainly seems like Eddie Howe has realised this.

Eddie Howe knows Sean Longstaff isn't a cheat code ... but he's not far off

Indeed, in his post-match press conference (via The Northern Echo), Howe spoke about the fact that Newcastle's record with Longy in the side is 100% this season.

“I don’t think that’s a coincidence. Statistically, the team with Sean in it does have a very high win percentage.

“We do look at those type of things because sometimes it can give you a clue. It’s not going to give you the answers, but it can give you a clue around some things. Sean does bring his qualities – his tactical understanding is second to none, and that does help the team in lots of ways. But there’s other reasons for that. I don’t think it’s just as simple as put Sean in the team and you’ll win. I wish it was that easy.”