Shane Long

[ifk101]

"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/sport/2012/0825/1224322964254.html

Duffer: C u 8er trapper!

Trapattoni: Que?

Duffer: Ciao

Trapattoni: :-(

[gastric]

It seems sometimes the manager does know best!


http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/clarke-happy-with-decision-3237159.html

[Charlie Darwin]

Long did set up the goal though.

[Grafter]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[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?

[the bear]

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]

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]

Doyle's injury a blessing in disguise?

[geysir]

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

[mark12345]

...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]

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]

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]

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

[theworm2345]

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...?").

[DannyInvincible]

Great poacher's goal to latch on to Odemwingie's poor strike from distance.

[SkStu]

Call him up Trap!

[Noelys Guitar]

Call him up Trap!

Better still. Start him.

[DannyInvincible]

Long's goal is at 1:24:


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xuhbyv_wb1-2mc-matchhighlight-com-shl_sport#from=embediframe

[Bungle]

I would say Long has been one of the standout players in the Premiership this season (maybe I'm biased).

[OwlsFan]

I would say Long has been one of the standout players in the Premiership this season (maybe I'm biased).

WBA manager mustn't agree as he dropped him for the last game.

[Colbert Report]

WBA manager mustn't agree as he dropped him for the last game.

Long has started seven out of WBA's nine Premiership matches this season. Came on as a sun in the 64th minute in both of the other matches. I'd hardly say he's been dropped, I think Lukaku was far more suited to playing against Newcastle. He was man of the match there you know.

[Ozymandias]

long has a hamstring strain

[OwlsFan]

Long has started seven out of WBA's nine Premiership matches this season. Came on as a sun in the 64th minute in both of the other matches. I'd hardly say he's been dropped, I think Lukaku was far more suited to playing against Newcastle. He was man of the match there you know.

Let's say then that his manager preferred the other striker to him in that game. If in the words of Bungle he is "one of the standout strikers in the Premiership", I'd be surprised to see him not used against Newcastle and it had nothing to do with his hamstring. Clarke's reasons (rotation apparently) are here: http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/85/england/2012/10/29/3487384/clarke-defends-decision-to-start-lukaku-ahead-of-long

p.s. I have no problem with Long but he is not the world beater that some anti-Trap people seem to think he is. At the German game there was a "supporter" (who left after 75 minutes because he had "seen enough") behind me who was going apoplectic that "the best striker in the Premiership" (i.e. Long) wasn't on the field or the "brilliant" Robbie Brady. Long is a good player but if Walters is to be our battering ram and if we continue to play 2 up front, I'd still choose Keane ahead of him but there are of course differing opinions on that one. As a lone striker I'd probably select Long ahead of either of them as Robbie doesn't have the legs to chase for 90 minutes.

[Colbert Report]

Let's say then that his manager preferred the other striker to him in that game. If in the words of Bungle he is "one of the standout strikers in the Premiership", I'd be surprised to see him not used against Newcastle and it had nothing to do with his hamstring. Clarke's reasons (rotation apparently) are here: http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/85/england/2012/10/29/3487384/clarke-defends-decision-to-start-lukaku-ahead-of-long

p.s. I have no problem with Long but he is not the world beater that some anti-Trap people seem to think he is. At the German game there was a "supporter" (who left after 75 minutes because he had "seen enough") behind me who was going apoplectic that "the best striker in the Premiership" (i.e. Long) wasn't on the field or the "brilliant" Robbie Brady. Long is a good player but if Walters is to be our battering ram and if we continue to play 2 up front, I'd still choose Keane ahead of him but there are of course differing opinions on that one. As a lone striker I'd probably select Long ahead of either of them as Robbie doesn't have the legs to chase for 90 minutes.


I'm very pro-Trap but I'm also very pro-Shane Long. Robbie Keane is a great player with great skill but just like any player, his time has come and he is not what he once was. Long is young, hard-working and hungry.

[Stuttgart88]

I think Long is a good player and has mostly impressed for Ireland. Denmark away, albeit ages ago, but recently Uruguay, Slovakia away, Russia at home, Oman in London, Bosnia at home etc.

However, although he's doing well at club level I felt that he was careless in front of goal at the start of last season. He got one or two but left some good chances out there. Sadly, I think the same has happened again. Stupid missed penalty, a sloppy header against the bar in another game...

2 goals is alright but 4 or 5 at this stage of the season really shows signs of a 15+ league goals in a season potential. Momentum is important for strikers. They play in streaks and goals tend to follow goals. I'm a bit disappointed in his start to the season. Could do better.

[theworm2345]

Playing well so far tonight. Saw Stan in the stand when they were showing Paul Lambert (looking very cold and taking notes), is he still at Sunderland these days?

[Colbert Report]

He just set up a great goal. He's everywhere tonight, drawing fouls, getting in behind the defenders, causing all sorts of problems.

[dr_peepee]

More Drama now.. Did he not tell Trapp that he was injured and wouldnt play for West Brom before the Friendly??

[tetsujin1979]

no, the FAI said he was injured, was going for a scan before today's game, and would be called up if he played

[dr_peepee]

I see...!!!

[Fixer82]

So is he called up to the squad?
Read also today that Trap mentioned Andy Reid. Weeeeeeeird!

[paul_oshea]

links please!!

[theworm2345]

He just set up a great goal. He's everywhere tonight, drawing fouls, getting in behind the defenders, causing all sorts of problems.
He's been doing that all season, really is playing very well. I hate to say it but he's kind of reminding of Doyle a few years back...lets hope he doesn't fall off like Doyle has.

[tetsujin1979]

called up to the squad: https://twitter.com/FAIreland/statuses/265858478197841920

Shane Long has been called up to Irish squad to face Greece nxt week after overcoming hamstring strain to play for West Brom l night #IrlGre

[tricky_colour]

links please!!

http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/long-wait-must-end-3285503.html

Disgraceful

Trapattoni name-checked Andy Reid at the weekend with a sly hint that maybe he is back in the reckoning, which, it has to be said, was a disgraceful thing to do if he doesn't mean it.

But Trapattoni never has a problem with ridicule if he wants to make a point, especially if he feels that the media are badgering him with questions about missing or exiled players - of which there have been far too many.

If anyone else was managing Ireland at the moment, Reid would have to come into the reckoning on form alone but Trapattoni has no intention of calling him back.

It is heartlessly cruel to use Reid's name, as he has often done with Lee Carsley, to illustrate how the media dwell on players long past their sell-by date but it does, at least, expose Trapattoni's pettiness for what it is.

Most of us assumed that Andy Reid would have a role to play in his team, never mind his squad, but he was bounced out of the group on the flimsiest of grounds and nobody would have believed that possible on that sunny day when Trapattoni was introduced to his new audience for the first time as a great football man.

We know better now. Trapattoni wears his mean streak as a badge of honour and if anyone thinks for a second that Long is too good to toss aside, just remember Andy Reid.

[Charlie Darwin]

My God, Hyland is some bore. It always amazes me how football journalists in this country can turn simple squad selection into some form of Shakespearean morality play. Reid's not in the squad on merit and has arguably never merited a place. And as every journalist in Ireland - including Hyland - has known for a week, Long was always going to be called up if he regained fitness.

[tetsujin1979]

only click the link to confirm it was Hyland, typical of his writing

[CraftyToePoke]

God, that is some ream of tripe.

[geysir]

Worser than the worst here.

[paul_oshea]

worser nor you.

didnt need to click to know that was hyland.he doesnt even have a style its just awful.i can write as well as that!!!its vitriolic bs. no way comparable to a shakspearean play!! :D

[Fixer82]

Did Trap mention Reid?
If so what was the context?
Any time I've ever heard him mention Reid, it's to say that he doesn't fit into his system

[Stuttgart88]

it's to say that he doesn't fit into his systemThe temptation to throw in yet another pun on Andy's waistline is proving too hard to resist...

[Fixer82]

The temptation to throw in yet another pun on Andy's waistline is proving too hard to resist...

ha ha

[DannyInvincible]

''I have never punished anyone' - Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni plays down conflict with Shane Long': http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2012/11/12/3521735/i-have-never-punished-anyone-ireland-manager-giovanni-trapattoni


Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has played down the suggestion that he was punishing West Brom striker Shane Long for his conduct while on international duty.

The Baggies striker caused confusion within the Ireland camp after the 0-0 friendly draw against Serbia when he maintained that he was fit just moments after Trapattoni had announced that he had been carrying an injury.

However the Italian coach stressed that he had never punished any of his players, before detailing the various strengths of the former Reading striker, referencing the Baggies' 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday November 10, which he attended.

"I have never punished anyone. I asked him (in Serbia) 'how are you?'" Trapattoni told reporters. "Maybe after the shower, he said 'I am well' and strutted like a cockerel. But he is a very genuine person."

He continued: "On Saturday (against Wigan), he recovered two or three balls back from behind the opponents, that is one of the situations (of marked improvement).

"When our team looks for him, they have to understand that he can come and look for the ball, not only wait for the long ball," said Trapattoni.