Shane Long

**ifk101** · 03/09/2012, 1:12 PM

"The manager said he received a text from the player on the day after Ireland’s game against Serbia in Belgrade indicating he was inclined to go, and that the two talked more than once after that before the decision was confirmed on Thursday."

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...322964254.html

Duffer: C u 8er trapper!

Trapattoni: Que?

Duffer: Ciao

Trapattoni: :-(

**gastric** · 23/09/2012, 9:46 AM

It seems sometimes the manager does know best!

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-n...n-3237159.html

**Charlie Darwin** · 23/09/2012, 1:30 PM

Long did set up the goal though.

**Grafter** · 24/09/2012, 1:47 AM

Not sure if Long ultimately has the chops to push on in the game. Like alot of Irish players, he could do with more aggression in his game to go with the pace IMO

**theworm2345** · 30/09/2012, 4:09 PM

Goal Long. Bit lucky there, James Morrison bursts down the right and squares it for Long at the back post. Vlaar gets there just ahead of him and tries to clear but his clearance hits Long and goes in. 1-0

Also had a great header just a minute earlier that found the back of the net, but was flagged for offsides.

**the doc** · 30/09/2012, 11:29 PM

Long bullied Clark, Clark couldn't handle Longs experience and strength.
Food for thought, for all those calling for Clark to be in the Ireland team.
Mr Trapattoni is no fool when it comes to picking players.

**Olé Olé** · 01/10/2012, 12:22 AM

Originally Posted by the doc

Long bullied Clark, Clark couldn't handle Longs experience and strength.
Food for thought, for all those calling for Clark to be in the Ireland team.
Mr Trapattoni is no fool when it comes to picking players.

Long can bully Premiership centre-halves, has plenty experience and strength. He can't get into the Ireland team.

Yet, Trap is no fool when it comes to picking players? Should Long not get a start then?

In relaton to his goal, there is a bit of intent on Long's part. You can see that he's making a strong run and that he gets the block in on Vlaar, but makes a follow through on it which is aimed goalward.
That's a goal on the back of assist, coming in two low-scoring games, so he's been fairly crucial to WBA. Hopefully he keeps it up and avoids those niggling injuries from last season.

**paul_oshea** · 01/10/2012, 9:51 AM

The irony of his own post is lost on the_doc for sure.

Anyway, Long certainly didnt bully Clark. He did get in between the two of them on occassion which to me shows a distinct lack of organisational leadership and communcation from 1 of the 2 centre halfs. Clark being the younger and far more inexperienced of the two, should not be doing this role. HOpefully with Dunne back he keeps his place and Dunne stewards him well.

**the doc** · 01/10/2012, 2:55 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

The irony of his own post is lost on the_doc for sure.

Irony is that a study of metals?

Occasionally I chuck in the odd comment to make sure your paying attention.

**CraftyToePoke** · 07/10/2012, 4:54 AM

Had a very fine game today by the look of the MOTD highlights. Set up WBA's opener brilliantly.

**Stuttgart88** · 07/10/2012, 10:00 AM

...from wide right, where he also set up Robbie brilliantly against Slovakia (a).

McClean injury doubt. Duff retired. SSL injury doubt, requiring O'Shea to play CB and either Kelly or Seamie to play RB. Only one of these two is match fit.

4-5-1 with Long wide right, with license to roam?

**the bear** · 07/10/2012, 10:12 AM

I'd prefer him up top but he has to be on the pitch somewhere. Don't like Robbie up front on his own.

**CraftyToePoke** · 07/10/2012, 1:02 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

4-5-1 with Long wide right, with license to roam?

Yeah, would be a stronger option, but you are making way too much sense Stutts, far more likely we will see Keogh shoehorned in, or some such system compliant bodge job.

Also, it wasn't just Longs surge down the right that got me on here to post, his all round CF display was a joy to watch, one run from deep with a lay off wide right, then a run to the far post was equally admirable. He just looks likely to do something at present, its great to see him maturing like this.

**Stuttgart88** · 07/10/2012, 4:16 PM

Doyle's injury a blessing in disguise?

**geysir** · 07/10/2012, 4:33 PM

Maybe a blessing for Long but not for us.
Didn't Doyle make his competitive debut against Germany in Stuttgart?

**mark12345** · 07/10/2012, 5:01 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

...from wide right, where he also set up Robbie brilliantly against Slovakia (a).

McClean injury doubt. Duff retired. SSL injury doubt, requiring O'Shea to play CB and either Kelly or Seamie to play RB. Only one of these two is match fit.

4-5-1 with Long wide right, with license to roam?

Wilson has to figure at the back with all of these injuries - wouldn't you say?

**Stuttgart88** · 07/10/2012, 5:54 PM

In my mind yes, but I still feel Trap will have him on the bench only.

I reckon Trap will persist with Ward, move JOS to the middle alongside either O'Dea or Kelly, and McShane, Kelly or Coleman will be at RB.

If Whelan is injured I think midfield will be RM-McCarthy-Andrews-McGeady.

RM might be Coleman, but most likely Keogh or Cox.

Keane upfront and although form would dictate Long, Trap might pick Walters.

**paul_oshea** · 07/10/2012, 7:04 PM

in other Long news he was out in rusilip again today watching his native code.

And no one paying any heed to him either.most of them not even knowing who he is.

**Charlie Darwin** · 07/10/2012, 8:00 PM

Shame on them not recognising a world-famous All-Ireland minor hurling championship winner.

**theworm2345** · 20/10/2012, 3:27 PM

Goal Long! Low daisy cutter of a shot from Odemwingie from 25 yards out, Long with a great run in the box diverts it past Hart. I couldn't read what his shirt said though ("we know what we...?").