I love Shane Long. Love him. He’s had spellls of doing well and causing mayhem, but if that was enough for a forward, then he’d have been playing somewhere other than Reading, West Brom, Hull and Saints and first choice every game in those sides He definitely needs to play with another striker for the benefits he can bring to be shown. What he can be, is the right jigsaw piece in the right puzzle
Ideally, you wouldn't have a Shane Long in the starting line up if we had a different system/players to operate that system. It's not his fault we need to use him to get the best out of the team, but in my little world, I would be developing a style, system and players that don't need him, because I don't think he is the long term solution to creativity and goal getting. But for now, I accept he is needed, it's more a statement of our issues than him being good enough for me.
Absolutely....we are armchair pundits but MH, a very experienced hands-on player and manager watch these guys in training most days of the week. I suspect that if I was in that position, assuming he is training well, Longs name is one of the first l'd put down. I feel that he may have a positive effect on other players.Yep I'd love him to score more but let's face it we do not have a prolific goal scorer currently on form, hoping that Ings will develop that role.
How did Redmond play yesterday? I was at Burnley and Leicester games and thought he one one of our better players.
I find some of the criticism on here regarding Shane Long a little baffling. It may be true he is not the most thrilling of wingers nor the most heralded. However Quite a few managers think he is not so bad at what he does including 2 or 3 international managers after all he is a full international. I know a lot of Saints fans rate their opinions of players higher than a managers but the proof really is in the pudding, the number of internationals he is picked for, or the number of times he is a starter for Saints. There is not a footballer in the world that would not like to add something he sees in other players to his own game. Just remember he has been playing under a few defensive minded managers over the last few seasons. Sparky seems to have spoken to him and given him a chance to show what he can do. Also just a small point..........Anyone that helps to make an opening for a goal is as important or nearly, as the scorer himself. He is there to do just that and this year he is one of the best in the current side at doing that. I'm not saying there isn't anything he can improve on. Yes we would like to see him put a few more in the net........ We don't have anyone better in the side that can do what he currently does..........
Beddy, to be fair to Ireland they arent fishing from a big pond are they - he may be good enough for them, and I dont think he always starts for them either btw, but that doesnt mean he is good enough going forward. He is justifying his place in the team on the last 3 games. For 3 seasons other than those games he has largely been ineffective.
Just watched MOTD from last night......they didn't even mention Bentekes dives yesterday looking for a pen, come on BBC.
All I notice is that when Long has been taken off recently (for whatever reason), we seem to lose something.
I repsect others admiration for his hard work but I disagree. He is wasting a spot that should go to a player who can actually create something useful. He creates so much carnage that our open play goal today totally bypassed him (and CP's defenders ). And he was off the pitch when we got the penalty and the second goal. Hard to see that he was needed in the first place.
I’m really not sure how you can say that. We weren’t Cityesque but we created plenty of chances. It’s also only fair for me to say how impressive Redmond was after my criticism of him. PEH was the man though.
Hence my statement.......he is not the most thrilling of wingers nor the most heralded. As you say he is beginning to show a little form. I think he has been largely ineffective because of the way the other managers wanted him to play. I think Sparky will encourage him to take the full backs on more as he has been doing.
Totally bypassed him? his run attracted the defenders, hence the elbow in the throat by the defender. It’s simple football tactics that players make runs to distract defenders. He was definitely a part for that goal. Your reason regarding the penalty was laughable as the defender lost his head. Could have happened to anyone.
I thought he continued his good run. Lacking a bit in end product still but has made a big jump up in confidence and worried the Palace defence.
Thanks Beddy - I did get your point, I was merely suggesting the full international piece you mentioned is largely redundant for the points I raised. Interesting for me though is those saying Hughes isnt good enough tactically and we may have a manager who is able to get the 'rounded' best out of Long, for Long himself and more importantly for the team. Not bad for a poor manager. I would imagine this is the last season where Long starts for us though - surely that must be addressed next season (or Jan).
Unfortunately for him he is not the youngest of wingers although he still seems to have a decent amount of speed...........Don't agree about January.......... if he carries on as he is doing we may get another season out of him beyond this one.
65 appearances, 5 goals and 2 assists. This is pure fan(aticism), there is not one single person defending him on here that would want to us to buy him. I cannot believe we are starting him for a third season.
