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Match Day Thread +++++Aston Villa v Saints 23rd April 2016 3pm+++++

Discussion in 'Southampton' started by thereisonlyoneno7, Apr 20, 2016.

  1. fran-MLs little camera

    fran-MLs little camera Well-Known Member

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    Long has apologised for missing chances....I forgive him. :)
     
    #461
  2. Channonfodder

    Channonfodder Rebel without a clue.....

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    Interesting about Long. He is a player that I have always liked for his aggressive pressing of defenders and even keepers when there is a sniff of a under hit back pass. The main thing I look at with players like Long, Clasie,Pelle, Martina, et al is are they improving? We tend to buy youngish players and/or those who have not played in the premiership. Even Jayrod took some time to settle into his stride. I think Long could be really good, judging from the the improvement we have seen so far.
     
    #462
  3. Onionman

    Onionman Well-Known Member

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    Even just celebrating, Long jumps higher than I can believe sometimes.

    Vin
     
    #463
    Saint Helen likes this.
  4. SouthamptonFCroatia

    SouthamptonFCroatia Well-Known Member

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    Long has been a very good signing. We should continue to buy british, as it seems that, unlike most of the other teams, we cannot fail there (Bertrand, Forster, Long, Davis, jury still out on Austin)
     
    #464
  5. fran-MLs little camera

    fran-MLs little camera Well-Known Member

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    Another nice thing about Long....is he ever not smiling? Always has a little private smile as if he knows something we don't.
     
    #465
  6. VVD

    VVD Well-Known Member

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    There was a moment when Jay picked up the ball on the counter, Long ran off to the right hand side opening up the space for Tadic to run in behind Villa's suicidally high back line. Richards was last man back on the halfway line, all Jay had to do was play it past him and Tadic would have had a free run at goal from halfway.... Jay then plays one of the worst passes I've ever seen. (Can't wait for him to have a full pre season and firing for next season) but :cheesy:
     
    #466

  7. fatletiss

    fatletiss Well-Known Member

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    The one right by the half way line? Yes, I remember. He tried to pass it to Tadic rather than into the three miles of space between Tadic and their goal.
     
    #467
    VVD likes this.
  8. Archers Road

    Archers Road Urban Spaceman

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    <laugh> Don't let Shane hear you calling him British.
     
    #468
  9. saintlyhero

    saintlyhero Well-Known Member

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    For me, I think Long is still too frantic a lot of the time. He plays at such a pace that it's very difficult to control the ball or gauge the situation. I didn't see the game yesterday, but for his two assists for Tadic he had a little bit of time to gauge the situation and pick the right pass.

    So often he terrifies a defender with his pace and pressing, but when it comes to the point where you need to slow it down a touch and apply the finish, it still feels rushed and I would argue that's the difference between a 20 goal Vardy and a 10 goal Long.

    My solution FWIW is he needs a big shot of confidence and something which he has not enjoyed in his career for a long time(pun intended) and that's to be the man. The first choice striker.
    Kane & Vardy don't have to worry about their place in the team, but Long must have felt every match this season is a must to impress and that's a lot of pressure, especially when you're biggest perceived weakness is taking your chances.
    At Saints Pelle is the man(in Rons eyes and thats most important). I don't know what will happen in the summer, but if Graziano does leave. Then I think the first thing Ron should do is tell Shane that he is first choice. He is at peak age and I think that added bit of confidence could get him to become a 20 goal striker
     
    #469
  10. saintlyhero

    saintlyhero Well-Known Member

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    Typical of a Yugoslavian to not understand the intricacies of our region
     
    #470
  11. fatletiss

    fatletiss Well-Known Member

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    Can't disagree with what you say here.
     
    #471
  12. Le Tissier's Laces

    Le Tissier's Laces Well-Known Member

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    Which is where Clasie improved things when he came on.
     
    #472
  13. Osvaldorama

    Osvaldorama Well-Known Member

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    I think we can just all agree that Long is the Irish Messi, and we are lucky to have him.
     
    #473
  14. SouthamptonFCroatia

    SouthamptonFCroatia Well-Known Member

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    Alright, from the british isles. :D
     
    #474
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  15. fran-MLs little camera

    fran-MLs little camera Well-Known Member

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    Visited Ireland recently....the Irish are similar to us, but with a little sideways step. Nice people...apart from the ones who want to kill you....probably fewer of those than you find in Scotland :)
     
    #475
  16. Archers Road

    Archers Road Urban Spaceman

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    Tadic, Long and VVD all made The Observer's "Team Of The Day". So, a little surprisingly, did Ashley Westwood.
     
    #476
  17. ----HistoryRepeating----

    ----HistoryRepeating---- Well-Known Member

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    Westward deserves his place, that first goal probably stopped a riot!!!! <laugh>
     
    #477
  18. ......loading......

    ......loading...... 25 undefeated

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    in the interests of fairness, Pelle is one of our best defenders at corners!
     
    #478
  19. Onionman

    Onionman Well-Known Member

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    Two assist and a goal and Shane's getting it in the neck. Gently but still in the neck.

    Vin
     
    #479
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  20. Beef

    Beef Well-Known Member

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    He missed another 4 goals. But I can let him off that. The defence deserves it far more.
     
    #480
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