Shane Long

[livehead1]

78 pace on Fifa?!

[brine3]

Last time Shane Long played this well was just before his previous contract was going to expire.

[irishfan86]

Last time Shane Long played this well was just before his previous contract was going to expire.

Contracts get shorter and shorter as players get older. Could be a fruitful final third of Long’s career if that’s what gets him going!

[seanfhear]

He is probably doing better with out the ‘Pep’ talks from O’Neill and Keane . Not hearing what ‘ he couldn’t do ' probably has boosted him .

[tetsujin1979]

I think Long was capped more than any other player under O'Neill. Definitely in the top five.

[CraftyToePoke]

He is probably doing better with out the ‘Pep’ talks from O’Neill and Keane . Not hearing what ‘ he couldn’t do ' probably has boosted him .

I love a bit of MON bashing, love it, any excuse however tenuous & ill rattle away about what a deeply flawed human being he is, but you are probably stretching it a little bit here :)

[seanfhear]

I love a bit of MON bashing, love it, any excuse however tenuous & ill rattle away about what a deeply flawed human being he is, but you are probably stretching it a little bit here :)Matt Doherty....enough said .

[Olé Olé]

Starts tonight against Man City in the EFL Cup.

There's an 18 year old called Tommy Doyle starting for City.

[irishfan86]

A thankless night for Long as you’d expect away to Man City. Hardly got a touch of the ball, withdrawn just before the 70 min mark.

[Fixer82]

Starts tonight against Man City in the EFL Cup.

There's an 18 year old called Tommy Doyle starting for City.

Grandson of Mike Doyle who played for England. Has represented England underage. We can safely say he won’t be playing for us. Unless his mother is a Murphy....

[pineapple stu]

Both his grandfathers had long City careers and played four England

[samhaydenjr]

Played 85 minutes tonight (his second start of the season), and a header in the general direction of the goal turned into an assist for Ryan Bertrand: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50568389#tab-0

[Fixer82]

Very unlucky not to score against Watford last week having come on as a sub.

[Stuttgart88]

From the Guardian (http://https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/04/southampton-norwich-premier-league-match-report)

"Shane Long was again lively and departed to a standing ovation five minutes from time."

I read the print edition yesterday and there was another very positive comment on his performance.

[Jolly Red Giant]

From the Guardian (http://https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/04/southampton-norwich-premier-league-match-report)

"Shane Long was again lively and departed to a standing ovation five minutes from time."

I read the print edition yesterday and there was another very positive comment on his performance.
Long is under-rate by McCarthy for some unknown reason.

[irishfan86]

Long is under-rate by McCarthy for some unknown reason.

Long has been largely on the fringes at Southampton during McCarthy’s tenure. That said, Long is getting a run of games now and it was nice to see fans chant his name when he was subbed off near the end this week. If he continues to be involved for Southampton, he will certainly be in our playoff squad for March.

[Olé Olé]

Shane Long starting again today away to Newcastle and facing off against Ciaran Clark.

Such a pity he's finding his way into the team after the run of international games and well before March. Would be great if he stayed in the team. Mick's stance on him is baffling in my view. He was never so far away from the Southampton team that a run of games wouldn't come. Now, if his run continues and Mick is forced to pick him in March, Long has been out of the squad and not engaged with everything going on there. Madness in my view.

[Bottle of Tonic]

I agree. I presume there was some private falling out or 'difference of opinion'?

Long will never make it as a goal scorer at this stage is beyond stating the obvious, but international football is about the here and now and is also beyond obvious he offers more to us than most of the other forwards ahead of him in recent squads.

Poor from Mick with this one.

[TrapAPony]

We have 5 decent strikers if McCarthy bothers to pick the best we have available. Connolly, Parrott, Long, McGoldrick and Robinson are decent enough options to have. There's no need for McCarthy to continue to pick Collins and Hogan for no reason whatsoever.

[irishfan86]

I agree. I presume there was some private falling out or 'difference of opinion'?

Long will never make it as a goal scorer at this stage is beyond stating the obvious, but international football is about the here and now and is also beyond obvious he offers more to us than most of the other forwards ahead of him in recent squads.

Poor from Mick with this one.

Easy to say in hindsight. I think it was worth examining Collins and Hogan. Bottom line we still lack a consistent goal scorer and as much as I like Long, he isn’t that.

I support calls for Long’s recall for the March games — but here is a genuine question — do we want a front two (Long and McGoldrick), who both contribute so much but lack that elite finishing ability?

In practical terms I think we’ll see McGoldrick start with Connolly, with Long used as McGoldrick’s backup or as a different kind of option if needed.

[samhaydenjr]

Still hasn't lost his pace, having been clocked with the second-fastest speed in the PL so far this season: https://www.balls.ie/football/list-premier-leagues-fastest-players-season-surprising-422327

Now, if only he could settle down when the ball comes to him (or if it ever does, given how bad Southampton have been)

[tommy_c12000]

He wasn’t great against West Ham IMO. From my selfish standpoint, I’d prefer the younger Obafemi to be given a chance to see if he can take it. Che Adams came on in front of Obafemi again. He is in dire need of first team football anywhere in January

[irishfan86]

I like the guy but he just never looks like scoring. Given goalscoring is one of our biggest issues, the clamour for Long's inclusion and the slamming of Mick over it baffles me.

[samhaydenjr]

I like the guy but he just never looks like scoring. Given goalscoring is one of our biggest issues, the clamour for Long's inclusion and the slamming of Mick over it baffles me.

Well, of our forward options, he's the only one who's played more than 20 Premier League games (301), scored more than 2 Premier League goals (53) and more than one international goal (17), so there is definitely reason why he should be in Mick's plans but, yes, when he was injured/just back from injury/out of the Southampton squad, I think Mick was justified in looking at other options.

Look, his speed is definitely still a potent weapon - even if he's not scoring himself, it may open opportunities for others, so if he's playing regularly up to March ahead of Obafemi (particularly if Parrott hasn't broken through), I think Mick should use him, even if he isn't banging in the goals. The question would be whether to start him to give the Slovak defence a runaround and then bring on Connolly if we need to nick a late goal or to start McGoldrick and Connolly, bringing on Long to run at tired backs.

[Fizzer]

I also think he’s the best option to spring from the bench from a defensive point of view if we’re trying to hang on for a draw, which, let’s face it, is basically what we’re doing all the time (other than the times that we’re trying to equalise).

[Olé Olé]

I like the guy but he just never looks like scoring. Given goalscoring is one of our biggest issues, the clamour for Long's inclusion and the slamming of Mick over it baffles me.

And Scott Hogan does look like scoring when he appears for us?

[Fixer82]

And Scott Hogan does look like scoring when he appears for us?

That rests the case for me. Long should be included if he’s still playing regularly

[John83]

And Scott Hogan does look like scoring when he appears for us?
If McCarthy wasn't examining alternatives, he'd be crucified here for it too. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[brine3]

Shane Long not a goalscoring forward. But he helps everyone else score with his off the ball movement, positioning and link-up play. Top player. But not the kind of player that your average bandwagon fan or stone age manager understands.

[Stuttgart88]

In fairness he's been appreciated by several stoneage managers.

[seanfhear]

In fairness he's been appreciated by several stoneage managers.
We'd take stone-age goals these days or probably any days .

[samhaydenjr]

In fairness he's generally a 1 goal in 4-5 games forward, which isn't too bad at Premier League level. But he did have two bad campaigns before last season. And up to 2017 he was also scoring internationally at a rate of 1 in 4. If he can at least get back to his regular rate, there may be an important goal or two in him yet.

[Stuttgart88]

We'd take stone-age goals these days or probably any days .
Yeah I miss our storage goals.

An ad for a footy podcast (OTB?) made me laugh the other day. I can't remember who the sponsor was but their slogan was "as part of Irish football as lumping it up to Jonny Walters".

[tetsujin1979]

A gambling company. You can guess which one.
One of their others is "us and off the ball. The greatest partnership since shearer and Owen"

[tommy_c12000]

Starts again today, Obafemi on bench, with Adams as well who is probably ahead of him

[tommy_c12000]

Starts again today, Obafemi on bench, with Adams as well who is probably ahead of him

Good win today vs Aston Villa. No goals for long again. Nice vote of confidence for Obafemi to come on ahead of Adams once game was over at 82 minutes, clearly they want to develop him. He literally did not touch the ball though, just watched his cameo....

[Stuttgart88]

Sorry, meant Stone Age above but it was autocorrected. Can't edit today.

[Fixer82]

No sign of him, Obafemi or Connolly on their respective benches today

[DeLorean]

Hasenhuttl singing Long's praises - https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/soccer/southampton-boss-ralph-hasenhuttl-hails-shane-longs-work-rate-976040.html

[irishfan86]

Isn't he out of contract at season's end? Will be curious to see if he gets a new deal. At 32 this will probably be his last big pay day.

[TrapAPony]

Gets another start today. Long, McGoldrick, Connolly and one of Robinson/Obafemi/Idah/Parrott should be the strikers for Ireland. Maguire after that.

[Olé Olé]

Gets a goal too. Over to you, Mick.

[Eirambler]

Has hit the post as well. He's some man for pulling his game out of the gutter at contract renewal time.

[tetsujin1979]

Equals Damien Duff's premier league goals tally with that strike

[Razors left peg]

Long and Obafemi start up front together for Southampton today. Is this the first time that have ever happened with Irish strikers in top division?

[tetsujin1979]

Robinson and McGoldrick have started together up front this season

[Razors left peg]

Robinson and McGoldrick have started together up front this season

Should have thought of that :D

[Closed Account]

Not stupid at all Razor!

Shane Long - Simon Cox
Shane Long - Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle - Andy Keogh
Daryl Murphy - Anthony Stokes
David Connolly - Anthony Stokes
David Connolly - Daryl Murphy
Daryl Murphy - Stephen Elliott
Daryl Murphy - Roy O'Donovan
Roy O'Donovan - Anthony Stokes
Roy O'Donovan - David Connolly
Robbie Keane - Gary Doherty
Niall Quinn - Michael Reddy
Niall Quinn - David Kelly

They all played in a Premier league game together according to transfermarkt but I didn't delve whether they started or were on pitch at same time. Keanos buy Irish policy was similiar to my policy every time I played football manager.

[Razors left peg]

Shane Long - Simon Cox
Shane Long - Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle - Andy Keogh
Daryl Murphy - Anthony Stokes
David Connolly - Anthony Stokes
David Connolly - Daryl Murphy
Daryl Murphy - Stephen Elliott
Daryl Murphy - Roy O'Donovan
Roy O'Donovan - Anthony Stokes
Roy O'Donovan - David Connolly
Robbie Keane - Gary Doherty

They all played in a Premier league game together according to transfermarkt but I didn't delve whether they started or were on pitch at same time. Keanos buy Irish policy was similiar to my policy every time I played football manager.

Ok, was probably a stupid question... still pretty cool though!

[Stuttgart88]

Has hit the post as well. He's some man for pulling his game out of the gutter at contract renewal time.Should have scored! Would have made the game safe. Lost 3-2 from 2 up.

Delighted to see him play and score though.