Newcastle United fans send telling signal about Sean Steur’s status

Newcastle United fans cannot understand why Sean Steur is getting so little playing time. Manager Matthias Jaissle prefers Nico González to the former Ajax player, much to the supporters' displeasure.

After starting in Newcastle's 2-1 win over Hull City on 19 September, Steur has only appeared as a late substitute. On some occasions, the midfielder has spent the full 90 minutes on the bench.

The multi-million-euro signing also started on the bench against Everton on Thursday in the fourth round of the EFL Cup, a match Newcastle lost 3-1. Jaissle waited until the 81st minute to bring Steur on, with Newcastle 3-0 down. Dan Burn scored shortly afterwards, but it was too late to prevent their cup exit.

According to Newcastle World, the reaction of Newcastle's travelling fans to Steur's introduction was telling. "The loudest cheer of the evening – from the nearly 8,000 travelling supporters – perhaps came not for Burn’s late consolation goal, but a few minutes earlier, when Steur came onto the pitch. Given the circumstances – the team were 3-0 down and the match was effectively already decided – there was, however, a considerable dose of sarcasm in that cheer."

Jaissle has previously said he prefers González, leaving Steur to make do with substitute appearances. Newcastle play Everton again on Monday, this time in the Premier League, and the former Ajax player is expected to be on the bench again.

After the final whistle on Thursday evening, loud boos rang out from the away end. Newcastle have conceded no fewer than eleven goals in their last four away matches and appear extremely vulnerable defensively.

Steur left Ajax for Newcastle last summer, with Newcastle paying €23.5 million for the Dutchman. Various bonuses could take the total fee to €27 million.