This. I've seen Long a few times (went to St Mary's when we lost 3-0 to WBA and to the Hawthorns when we lost 2-0) and was impressed both times. I particularly like the very, very fast bit. That is exactly what we need.
Well, let us wait for the dust to settle and the reliable sources (not ****ing Jim White) to clarify the fee. But that aside, welcome to Shane, if he wants to be here then all the best in the Saints shirt.
I've not said that once Beefy, you've missed my point entirely and I keep saying I've hardly seen him. My point is, what is the difference in gamble of signing someone who has never played at the level and someone who has and done ok? Nothing against Ings, I am just amazed at the number of people prepared to pay a huge fee for someone who has t played at the top level. A lot of people tonight who have previously not mentioned much about Ings are now jumping up and down screaming we should have spent that on Ings. Ings may not be available in this window and we need a striker. I think the fee is too much for Long, but people once again are losing their pants. To reiterate, nothing against Ings; he's just untried at this level.
Someone who has ****loads of pace and actually has a footballing brain (that rules you lot out of pointing out De Ridder) will cause problems for any defence.
Newly promoted? They played as though their lives depended on it. A goals a goal at any level. Shane Long looks a yard quicker then he did last season. Hey, I don't want Shane Long to leave.
I am just question the extreme reaction and that people are happy to throw money at an untried player at this level. Hooiveld looked fantastic at championship level. Caveat: I think the fee is too much for long. And I guess he's not available.
Not sure what you meant by that question. They are newly promoted. 2nd in the Slovakian 2nd division last season.
Noone can tell me Koeman knew who the hell Shane Long was. Someone from our scouting team has told him about him, based on what Koeman has said he's looking for.
Rickie Lambert - 28 goals & 18 assists from 5939 Premier League mins = 1 goal or assist per every 129 mins. Shane Long - 28 goals & 11 assists from 8177 Premier League mins = 1 goal or assist per every 210 mins. Rickie Lambert - 27 goals & 18 assists from 3627 Championship mins = 1 goal or assist per every 81 mins. Shane Long - 39 goals & 26 assists from 7545 Championship mins = 1 goal or assist per every 116 mins. Sources: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/rickie-lambert/leistungsdaten/spieler/49655 http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/shane-long/leistungsdaten/spieler/37304/saison/ges
I was hoping some on here would be able to calm me down a tad and write something positive on Long. All I've really seen for that is "he's fast and works hard." Well, in that case, get him in Ronald!
I think it's safe to say that Ronald Koeman - a man whose life has been dedicated to football - has probably heard of all the regular Premier League strikers.
I would be worried if he didn't. I'm sure Koeman is well aware of the majority of premier league players who have featured in the league for a number of seasons
You need to calm down. Lets just say Ings isn't available this window; what's plan B or C? Actually Ings was plan B or C, Hernandez was plan A and he said no.
That's true but at least you can make a reasonably safe assumption from the ability Ings showed that his worst case scenario is around Long's level with the ceiling a whole lot higher. This is spending eight figures on someone proven as not very good.