Shane Long

[DeLorean]

that pace is deadly

We really need to start playing him before he loses some of it!

[seanfhear]

We really need to start playing him before he loses some of it!Its kinda hard too understand how we can not make use of it for the National team. Good pace, good attitude, and good in the air (pretty much always useful in the Irish team)

[DeLorean]

It was a crime against common sense starting Daryl Murphy ahead of him.

[tetsujin1979]

Not in the squad for the second leg in the Europa League tonight.
Seems ok with it though: https://twitter.com/ShaneLong7/statuses/629380450360758272

[Charlie Darwin]

From the looks of the replies he was ill.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

2nd goal of the season for Long.

[Closed Account]

2nd goal of the season for Long.
Great header
ewQXhUPJleB
https://vine.co/v/ewQXhUPJleB

(https://vine.co/v/ewQXhUPJleB)

[tricky_colour]

great header, was he offside, hard to tell form this.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sfkCEefWk0

[Closed Account]

great header, was he offside, hard to tell form this.

On first view he looks slightly off at one point but he's well on when the ball is played.

[tricky_colour]

On first view he looks slightly off at one point but he's well on when the ball is played.


Yes just seen in on my recording, he was good yard onside when the ball was played, he then goes offside and has to scramble
back to get his head on the ball so it was a really good effort to put it in the net.

[Stuttgart88]

Great header, great leap. Not unlike a goal he scored at Stamford Bridge for Hull, I think. Definitely has to make at least the bench against Gibraltar Martin.

[DeLorean]

Think that goal was for West Brom. And he needs to start against Gibraltar, we must keep Murphy fresh for the trickier Georgia game.

[DeLorean]

Martin O'Neill queries Long's goal scoring mindset (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/martin-oneill-queries-longs-goal-scoring-mindset-31470671.html)

[seanfhear]

I can't read all of that(behind a paywall, not paying for that rag)

If only Martin could go out and buy a better striker ? ? ? Has anybody told Martin he is the Ireland international manager ? ?

Has Martin lost the plot because his dealings with Shane Long ain't exactly good.

As the fella said in father Ted. "FOOKING HELL"

[DeLorean]

I can't read all of that(behind a paywall, not paying for that rag)


Martin O'Neill queries Long's goal scoring mindset

Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has questioned whether striker Shane Long has the mentality to become a prolific goalscorer.

Despite being one of only two forwards in the Ireland squad to operate at Premier League level, the Southampton man was overlooked for a starting spot in both home Euro qualifiers against Poland and Scotland last season.

Even the 28-year-old's goalscoring appearance from the bench in March, which earned a precious point against Group D leaders Poland, didn't earn him preference over Championship striker Daryl Murphy when the Scots needed to be beaten 10 weeks later in Dublin.

Now, as Ireland enter the last four games of the campaign badly in need of at least three wins to salvage their ambitions of clinching a play-off spot, O'Neill has suggested there's much work for Long to do before he's considered worthy of a starting berth.

"Shane is capable of scoring a great goal but what we want Shane to be is a great goal-scorer," explained O'Neill of the Tipperary man with a dozen goals from his 54 appearances for Ireland.

"I think Shane has to get into a mentality to think about scoring goals - he has to be able to do that. He is getting opportunities, comes on as sub for Southampton and scores the goal against Newcastle last week. Then he starts the game and maybe doesn't finish the match.

"Whatever you say about him, Robbie Keane comes out and plays like a No 10 role quite often. He's done it at Tottenham and different clubs but can still find time to get into the penalty box to score a goal because that's what he feels is his major contribution. Shane has got to get into that mentality."

O'Neill said that Long's deployment by Southampton manager Ronald Koeman in a wide position was no excuse for his modest goal returns, citing his own scoring record at Nottingham Forest from a similar position.

"I don't care if he plays as a winger," O'Neill said. "It still shouldn't stop you. I am talking generally but I know this from personal experience because I was roared at to get in at the far post when the ball was on the left-hand side of the field. I would be thinking 'I've done doggies up and down the right-hand side of the pitch, kept Viv Anderson alive' but still had to get in there for Forest.

"My goal-scoring record was pretty decent for a wide right-sided player. You might feel isolated but that does not prevent you from scoring; it forces you to get in when the build-up play is on the other side. I think it is so natural. It is natural thing to do if you want to score."

Sunday Indo Sport

[DannyInvincible]

I can't read all of that(behind a paywall, not paying for that rag)

It's a survey; not a pay-wall. At least that's what I get when I access it. Just scroll down and click on 'skip survey' to read the article.

[Stuttgart88]

Is he setting out a challenge for Long or potentially putting the frighteners on him? There's a fair bit of truth on MON's comments - we all know that - but are they wise?

Either way I still think a top flight tough athletic all-round handful upfront is probably better to have than a second-tier natural goalscorer.

[seanfhear]

It's a survey; not a pay-wall. At least that's what I get when I access it. Just scroll down and click on 'skip survey' to read the article.Thanks. I just got it in my head that it was a paywall. Thanks for putting me in the picture.

[seanfhear]

(I have now read the full article)
If only Martin could get in the team and Roy in midfield ! ! !

Its time for the deadly duo to realise that in international football you have the players you have (unless you can get some new players that qualify ? ? ?

But telling one of your possible best strikers that he ain't a goal scorer (I paraphrase), ain't the way to go.

Which manager was it that got the best out of Shane at Reading ?

[DeLorean]

I think that's something he could certainly should have said to Long in private by way of encouragement.

[tricky_colour]

Breaking News!!

Apparently the Brits want Shane Long will be the next monarch.

"Long to reign over us".

[SkStu]

I think Cox might be more appropriate since the place is already full of them.

[DeLorean]

This place is like a morgue lately! Shane Long's goals from last night. (http://www.balls.ie/football/shane-long-goals-vs-mk-dons/309982)

[back of the net]

Upon his return to Southampton, Long was assessed by their medical staff who revealed that there was no break or ligament damage from the tackle and that the striker will likely return to action within a fortnight.

[back of the net]

Upon his return to Southampton, Long was assessed by their medical staff who revealed that there was no break or ligament damage from the tackle and that the striker will likely return to action within a fortnight.

Update:

Just saw Ronald Koeman Press conference held at Southampton this afternoon - says Long will be out between 2- 4 weeks....hopefully the former .....as 4 weeks would be cutting it very close

[MeathDrog]

Really depends whether the ankle ligaments are torn or not I'd say.

[DeLorean]

Koeman said Long should be back in contention for Southampton's game against Bournemouth next weekend.

[SkStu]

That's brilliant news for us. I could see him giving Bosnias back line a torrid time.

[DeLorean]

Koeman unhappy with Long’s early return (http://www.setanta.com/ie/koeman-unhappy-with-longs-early-return/)

[tricky_colour]

Bit hypocritical of Koeman to play Long for the full 90 minutes today then!!

Especially as he does not play him that much anyway.

[DeLorean]

Was thinking the very same thing.

[Closed Account]

He's got a good leap.
https://streamable.com/o47i

[tricky_colour]

Long gets a goal back v Man City to make it 2-1 was a great leap, leapt like a Sammon!

[DeLorean]

He's some man to hang in the air, great goal. I saw it live as I was just after discovering that I have a non-HD version of Setanta on channel 460. The 424 HD version isn't liking the wind.

[elroy]

Anyone see the chance he had for Soton on Saturday against palace in the last minute. One on one and while it was a decent effort, you really want your striker to be putting those chances away. Capable of superb finishes, eg versus england and germany, home to villa last year but lacks a killer instinct/consistency.

[seanfhear]

At least he is able to get in the right place and he does knock some in ! Some important ones too !

[tricky_colour]

He has had a great game today.
He got the second goal (I backed him to get the next goal at 10-1 having lost on him getting the first).
So another betting triumph here. :triumphant:

I also has a free £5 bet on the game which I turned into £3.31 by backing all combinations. :triumphant:

Also good for me as I have Leicester backed for the title, they lost today too, but
I would say Arsenals defeat is far worse than Leicester's 1-0 defeat at Anfield.

4-0 Long again!!! Nice finish through the keepers legs.

Leicester for the title!! :triumphant:

[Stuttgart88]

He's been brilliant tonight.

[Charlie Darwin]

Two goals now, and no less an authority than Robbie Savage has taken the man of the match award from Wanyama to give to Long.

[tetsujin1979]

Shane Long. Bah.

[tricky_colour]

Should have had a hat trick, I actually looked at the price for that, was about 125-1 iirc.

[Charlie Darwin]

Should have had a hat trick, I actually looked at the price for that, was about 125-1 iirc.
You'd have made a cool £4 from that I reckon.

[tricky_colour]

You'd have made a cool £4 from that I reckon.

£625 if I had put my free £5 bet on it. Well if he had got three which he didn't so it wowuld have been £0.

[tetsujin1979]

gentleman, we've discussed posting about betting in the Ireland forum before. There's a betting folder, use it.

[Olé Olé]

Long was immense tonight. The reason he wasn't given MOTM in the first place was because he was only on one goal at the time it was awarded and the goal was somewhat dubious- not sure whether it was deliberate or not, but he managed to trip Koscielny who was tracking his run. The result was that Long was unmarked at the backpost to finish the pass from Mané. The referee missed the trip which would have been deemed a foul, regardless of intention or lack thereof.

The second goal he got was much more clear cut. In fact, he should have had a goal in the first half too. He made a terrific run off Mané who played a lovely ball over the top for him. Long was through, with pressure from Merstesacker, but took a delightful touch with his head to tee it up for the shot. Long tried to lob it over the oncoming Cech with his right but drove it high and over. The lob would have been beautiful if he had executed it correctly but the best option appeared to be a low left leg.

Overall, he was immense and was singled out for it on BT. He constantly ran the channels and was fundamental to Southampton's gameplan i.e. play deep, suffocate Arsenal's attacking options (Walcott, Giroud, Ozil) and then break with Mané supporting Long. Long's runs and hassling of the two centre-halves was crucial to 3 of the 4 goals (the first from Martina will be among the goals of the season, a brilliant finish from nothing). He gave Koscielny and, in particular, Mertesacker a torrid time.

Watching the game, myself and the lads felt that he did well not to get a second yellow. The first was just about warranted but he was such a pest to the two centre-halves that a second could have eventually came about. Wenger admitted that his side didn't have the luck of the decisions but that was always going to occur when such pressure was being applied by Southampton. Not that the pressure was high-pressing, it was more of a counter-attacking press that was dangerous. On the other hand, Arsenal looked completely blunt and were thwarted going forward. They had very few chances at all.

It was the Shane Long performance that you all can imagine, even if you haven't seen the game. They had almost zero attacking options on the bench (Juanmi and Tadic, one untried and the other a midfielder moreso) so Koeman persisted with him after a simply decent first half. It paid dividends in the second as the gameplan was perfectly executed by Long in his relentless and physical hassling of the last line of defence of the opposition.

There was even a lovely moment in the post-match interviews. It was Long and the goalscorer Martina and Long was spoken to first to discuss his MOTM performance. They moved on to Martina and basically asked him how surreal it was to get such a cracking goal having barely featured. Martina stumbled through a tough one to respond to but Long intervened saying how well Martina was going in training and that he had said to Martina his chance had to come and it was a credit to him for taking it.

[Real ale Madrid]

gentleman, we've discussed posting about betting in the Ireland forum before. There's a betting folder, use it.

Please don't direct that type of spectacular after eventing to the betting forum. It was bad enough to read in here!

[tricky_colour]

Seems like I can't win!

[tricky_colour]

Anyhow maybe Long will get to start more games now?

Or will he be back on the bench again?

I would not be too surprised if he was.

[DeLorean]

Was Pelle injured or dropped?

[tetsujin1979]

Injured, out until early January according to Fantasy Football