Shane Long

[geysir]

Gets a goal against Burnley. Quickest to react to a rebound and stabs the ball home.
He only scores against the bottom teams,,,,,,, oooppps, is this not the Robbie Keane thread?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

2013-2014 Chelsea, Tottenham
2012-2013 Everton (h), Man City, Chelsea, Everton (a)
2011-2012 Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal

Granted they aren't at quite the same level as Gibraltar, but I still think that's a decent record against big teams.

[tricky_colour]

José Mourinho must hate him.

[Charlie Darwin]

First two were AVB and Di Matteo, afaik.

[tricky_colour]

First two were AVB and Di Matteo, afaik.

Still Chelsea tho ;)

[DeLorean]

2013-2014 Chelsea, Tottenham
2012-2013 Everton (h), Man City, Chelsea, Everton (a)
2011-2012 Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal

Granted they aren't at quite the same level as Gibraltar, but I still think that's a decent record against big teams.

So basically you have gone back to previous seasons to show that Long has scored some goals against big teams. A man could run riot if he did that with Robbie Keane, but instead you chose to focus on the most recent of his 65 international goals. To be fair, and obviously yourself and Geysir were only having a little fun, Long is well capable against the top teams. In fact, it could be argued that he is as likely to produce in those games as the run of the mill fixtures, where most top strikers get their stats up.

[Olé Olé]

All that talk reminds me of when I met Long on a night out in my hometown last summer. Standing on the street, attacking a burger and minding my own business at 2.30. I turn around to see Shane Long walking up the lane behind me like an apparition. He was met with a barrage of insights on his career (that he was already aware of) which included the goals he got against Man United and Chelsea early in his WBA career which led to Roy Hodgson (England manager at the moment, I reminded Shane duly) stating after another game that the bargain they got for Long was brilliant due to the problems he caused for defenders across the PL.

The simple fact is that Shane Long's hard-running style through the channels is always going to prove tough for any defender, be they John Terry or Robert Huth, because they must play with their backs to goal and be mindful of the offside rule, among other variables. The top defenders in the PL have always seemed to be those that can read the play well, such as Terry, Ferdinand, Kompany etc. Thing with Long is that he'll drag them every which way before they can read the play and make the clearance/find a teammate as a result of an interception or block.

Lovely finish by Long and I think that the ball was coming into his path before Shackell scored an own goal.

Two nil was a good and solid win for Southampton against a Burnley side who beat City last weekend. Wanyama, in terms of the Southampton teamsheet over the course of the season, was sacrificed for Long in the transition from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 (if you take into account that since January Sadio Mane has tended to play instead of Long, flanking Pelle). But it'll be pretty cr*p timing on Long's part if the Poland game finds him on the bench. I really can't read into what O'Neill will select but with Walters out, I definitely think Long should start (not that I prefer Walters to Long).

EDIT: Interesting point at which to remember that Long and Doyle were a joint deal for Reading from Cork City. Long has clocked up moves to WBA and Hull which have gone well and his Southampton move was for a big fee and looks like it's on the right track. Doyle, on the other hand, went to Wolves and, after a while, slid down the divisions while Long remained a genuine PL striker. 3 years older than Long, Doyle is now moving to the MLS to, likely, see out his career after three years of loans, benches and lower divisions. On the other hand, the 3 years between 28 and 31 could well be some of the most exciting of Long's career.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Jon Walters came on in the 78th minute yesterday so he will start against Poland just like he starts every competitive game he's available for, at the expense of better players.

As I said, I get it for certain games, like Germany (a); but I don't think we play our best football with him in the team - like the football we played against Italy in London that time.

I honestly think we have a better chance of taking something tangible from this game if he doesn't start. If he does, it's a statement of intent to Poland.

For all the talk about his work rate, he has started visibly tiring at the 60-70 minute mark in every match he plays.

He should be coming on to help us defend a lead after 60-70 minutes. Not starting with a view to helping us stifle the opposition.

That should be the aim.

Pilkington is far better technically but there would be question marks over his tracking back and positioning. There are no questions over McGeady, McClean, Long or Brady when it comes to this.

[Olé Olé]

Jon Walters came on in the 78th minute yesterday

Didn't realise this. Good news. COYBIG.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I actually think it's bad news.

In an ideal world, he would be a useful option on the bench but instead he is going to be keeping out better technical players.

But I don't have any faith in Hoolahan starting either and I don't have any faith in us trying to play the game the right way, so at least I won't get my hopes up again.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought his selection in Georgia was a negative step, a forward plugging a perceived gap on the right. His selection in Germany was a pragmatic step, as we had a rookie full back. His selection in Glasgow was a neutral step, with Keane dropped and Long / Walters selected upfront, Walters more withdrawn I think. I think Walters was the better of the two on the night.

As Junior famously said here last year, there'll always be some huff and puff to Ireland's play so a player like Walters will always have a chance. I actually think he's a good player and I wouldn't judge a selection solely by whether he plays or not. Choice of CB, LB, wide players (if any), Hoolahan or no Hoolahan, central midfield, formation are all factors that I'd consider to be indicative of approach, at least as much as JW being picked or not. And he has a lot of what Long offers, no?

[Charlie Darwin]

Starting his fourth straight league game today against Hull. Finally getting his chance?

[DeLorean]

Won the penalty after being fouled by Alex Bruce, Ward-Prowse converted. Southampton lead 1-0.

[Stuttgart88]

Pelle scored a second. Form is temporary...:)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Long with an excellently weighted cross to assist Pelle's second goal for Southampton against Spurs, just minutes after coming off the bench.

[tetsujin1979]

Two assists and a goal, and it's not half time yet!
Villa are rank today

[DeLorean]

Two assists and a goal for Long as Southampton lead Villa 4-0 after a half hour! Mane scored the quickest hat-trick in PL history, beating Robbie Fowler's against Arsenal that time.

[DeLorean]

Wow... Absolute cracker from Long. 5-0.

[Stuttgart88]

One of his best ever. He's having a super game. I was watching the play off game until half time and missed the first 3. Sorry Shay, but take that Sherwood you xxxx! Villa are dreadful though.

[SwanVsDalton]

Now this is proper Villa.

Have only seen the goals briefly, there's a certain amount of bad luck in three Pro Eve style rebounds from shots but the defending is hilarious.

That fifth from Shane - woof.

[tetsujin1979]

That second strike was just indecent!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Long's goals...

http://gfycat.com/FrighteningUnripeDotterel

http://gfycat.com/MeekDiscreteHorse

How is his first goal a "simple tap-in" (Sky Sports Score Center)? It wasn't from close-range and it was at an angle; he still had a bit of work to do.

[Closed Account]

Long's goals...

http://gfycat.com/FrighteningUnripeDotterel

http://gfycat.com/MeekDiscreteHorse

How is his first goal a "simple tap-in" (Sky Sports Score Center)? It wasn't from close-range and it was at an angle; he still had a bit of work to do.

It looks difficult from the main TV angle but from behind the goal you can see the space he had. Rolled it into the middle of an empty goal from 15 yards. For your average footballer that's easy. Diana Ross might struggle though.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6ODEs_Litw

[tricky_colour]

Villa thrashed 6-1.

I'd best not mention who else was playing <cough>.

[tricky_colour]

Shane Long is the first player since Luis Suarez in December 2013 to register 2+ goals and 2+ assists in a single PL game (OPTA)

[DeLorean]

Under normal circumstances he might have got man of the match!

[DeLorean]

Aguero got three goals and two assists just last week. OPTA sucks.

[tricky_colour]

Aguero got three goals and two assists just last week. OPTA sucks.


3 goal and 1 assist according to this (who scored).

I have never seen that feature on whoscored before by the way, seem pretty useful, I don't know
which is correct. Also I only see 2 assists recorded, obviously there may be some disagreement
as to what counts as an assist.

I may have the match highlights recorded so maybe I will take a look.

http://www.whoscored.com/Matches/829785/Live/England-Premier-League-2014-2015-Manchester-City-Queens-Park-Rangers

Well I have seen the highlights and he only got an assist for the 5th goal. Bonny had the assist for the 6th


Aguero got 3 goals whcih just leave the free kick which was scored from.

Aguero won that free kick, I guess some some might count that as an assist, but not OPTA or whoscored!!

But whatever, nice to see Shane making a making his mark, hope he can do the same for Ireland.

[tetsujin1979]

Aguero was awarded two assists on premier league fantasy football as well

[DeLorean]

Aguero won the free kick from which Kolorov scored. That must be the debatable one. The assist for Milner's goal was clearcut.

[tricky_colour]

Yea I can certainly see how you can count winning the free-kick as an assist, it's certainly worth of one IMO.

[tetsujin1979]

Long's long range strike against Aston Villa won goal of the season in their end of the season awards: https://twitter.com/SouthamptonFC/status/601132071713525761

[DeLorean]

Kind of surprised Pelle's against QPR didn't win it, as it was on the Sky Sports shortlist with no sign of Long's. Not that I'm complaining.

[DeLorean]

I presume some already know it anyway but I read while ago that if Arsenal win the FA Cup, Liverpool go straight into the Europa League group stage next season and a qualifying round spot becomes available for Southampton. If Aston Villa win, they themselves go directly into the Europa League group stage and Liverpool have to play the qualifying round, with Southampton missing out completely.

CL & EL Qualifiers Update (http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=2249541.html)

[seanfhear]

I wonder should Hull have kept Shane. Its one of those questions you can't answer but my opinion is that they should.

Easy when I know how it turned out.

[Olé Olé]

I wonder should Hull have kept Shane. Its one of those questions you can't answer but my opinion is that they should.

Easy when I know how it turned out.

Direct comparison of the stats with those of Abel Hernandez suggest that Long had the better season. Similar amount of starts and 5 goals and 5 assists compared to 4 and 1 for Hernandez.

And that doesn't take into account the fact that Long wasn't playing as centrally and probably stretched defences more.

Although I don't think that Bruce had much choice in relation to Long. The board saw £12m and availed (Bruce probably saw that as exceeding fair value too). But the £2m they netted when selling Long and buying Hernandez doesn't look too great now. Hernandez will probably sod off on loan for the season before being sold for a loss next season.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.the42.ie/shane-long-opinion-ireland-show-faith-1916675-Jun2015/

"Shane Long deserves more of a chance at international level".

[DeLorean]

Very fair article, a summary of all the points made on here really.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

IF the recent history of the Republic of Ireland team is anything to go by, managers of a conservative nature have an aversion to placing their trust in creative players.

Starting with Jack Charlton, who had his differences with David O'Leary and Liam Brady, this trend was continued by Giovanni Trapattoni, who spurned the talents of midfield playmakers Andy Reid and Wes Hoolahan. Apparently, both managers preferred a more functional type of football, in which they, rather than their players, pulled the strings.

The present manager, Martin O'Neill, appears to have the same difficulty in recognising the talent of Shane Long. The Tipp man might have expected a vote of confidence and a run in the team as No 9 with the declining powers of Robbie Keane, but this hasn't happened. Instead he has been pushed back to the fringes, at a time when, with Hoolahan restored, his pace could be utilised to the team's advantage, as Didi Hamann pointed out on RTE2 last week.

Ten-minute cameo roles are hardly fair to our highest-rated Premier League player.

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/mistrust-of-long-continues-sad-trend-31317355.html

[Stuttgart88]

I think Long has been hard done by, definitely, but I don't think you could call Long a creative player. He's an athlete and a menace to play against, but "creative" is a bit generous, no?

Anyway, with a new Spanish forward arriving at Southampton I hope it doesn't mean fewer games for Long. I know nothing about the new guy it has to be said.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

That struck me too but he is certainly more creative than Walters & Murphy. Hendrick & Coleman linked up a good few times on a few attacking forays but ran into brick walls and blind alleys virtually every time. The game was crying out for Long's pace, energy, mobility and technique in the first half.

I don't want to be too hard on Walters & Murphy. They done okay. Granted Walters was blatantly offside for the goal. But there was no need whatsoever for both of them to be on the pitch at the same time.

Daft managerial decision and every game has been marked by at least one.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think Long has been hard done by, definitely, but I don't think you could call Long a creative player. He's an athlete and a menace to play against, but "creative" is a bit generous, no?
Interesting you took issue with Long being called a creative player and let Dave O'Leary go.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm not one to nitpick on every word in a comment and I thought DOL was a distraction to the main point.

But I think we'd both agree that as centre backs go DOL was an artist rather than an effective bruiser. A Lawrenson or Hansen, not a Ruddock or Vinny Jones., or even Bruce or Pallister. DOL was a thoroughbred centre-back. I'd classify Mick and Kevin Moran as somewhere in between. Can any centre-back be called creative? And yes, his omission did typify a general mistrust of more elegant players in favour of (perceived) effective players.

However, while I am sympathetic to calls for Long being a certain starter for us, it's not on the grounds that I think he is elegant or creative. It's on the grounds that I think he is effective. Therein the difference!

[Charlie Darwin]

You took that point was too seriously :D

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Long scores on his European bow. 3-0 Saints.

[tetsujin1979]

Long scores on his European bow. 3-0 Saints.

Played in the Europa League twice last season for Hull

[Charlie Darwin]

Alan Cawley ‏@alancaw (https://twitter.com/alancaw) 36m36 minutes ago (https://twitter.com/alancaw/status/626856536229457921)
Long has Juanmi to thank there. Never ever fancy him in a 1 v 1!!!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Delightful little chip from Juanmi to Long for the 3rd, after Long had done his trademark charge through the defence to create panic that he does so well.

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?54737-Post-Match-Reaction-SAINTS-3-0-Vitesse-Arnhem-Europa-League-R3#.VbqWJvlViko

[tricky_colour]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkXn2nmanU8
Read the pass well well and great pace, I thought his second touch was a little heavy though,
was a shame he could not have finished it himself first time, but that pace is deadly.

action starts at 6.58.