Shane Long

[yapster]

Long has been doing it in fits and starts for the last few years though. He needs to deliver over the course of a season.


spot on

[irishfan86]

In fairness to Long, he hasn't had a decent run as one of the main strikers during his time at Reading. The squad was too strong during Coppell's days, then the last manager didn't seem to rate him, and it's only now that he is being viewed as first choice.

I agree with the sentiments that he is one to watch though -- I love his aggression.

[elroy]

Got a brace for Reading today, in great form at the moment, scored six in his last five appearances.

[drummerboy]

SSN reporter raving about Long's performance today.

[Serb]

Got a brace for Reading today, in great form at the moment, scored six in his last five appearances.

Up to 10 goals in 24 league games. Not too bad at all — certainly his best season yet. I also thought he was excellent in the Norway friendly. He specifically did well to win the penalty in that game and dispatched it with aplomb as they say. I think he's as close as we have to a natural replacement for Robbie when he eventually retires.

[Sullivinho]

Great to see.

He was getting a bit of stick a from the Reading fans a lil' while back for a poor conversion rate.


SSN reporter raving about Long's performance today.

'A wasp' is how I heard him described on SSN just before Christmas when he put in a similar performance. Never gives the opposition a moment's peace.

[SwanVsDalton]

Sounds like he's really taken on the Doyle mantle. Can only be a good thing.

[christo]

I also thought he was excellent in the Norway friendly. He specifically did well to win the penalty in that game and dispatched it with aplomb as they say. I think he's as close as we have to a natural replacement for Robbie when he eventually retires.

Exactly what I thought after the Norway game, wasn't much of a fan of him before but he looked really good that night

[shakermaker1982]

Coleman, McCarthy and Long were the only positives in 2010 from an Irish footballing perspective. Good to see Long starting off 2011 in style. I think he could do a decent job in the PL because of his pace & work rate.

[livehead1]

It could be a generation or two before we see anyone of Robbie Keane's ability pulling on the green shirt. To say that Shane Long may step into the breach is nothing short of absurd!

[geysir]

Livehead, you are almost as paranoid as Youngirish, about what other posters are thinking.
Read the previous posts a bit more carefully.
Btw, 'step into the breach' does not mean emulate, or be as good as.

[ken foree]

It could be a generation or two before we see anyone of Robbie Keane's ability pulling on the green shirt

surely long can dress himself well enough. or do you mean when robbie complains to the ref as he clutches his own jersey?

[theworm2345]

I'll put my hand up and admit I didn't think Long would even make it in the Championship, much the less the EPL but his performances recently in the green shirt and at club level have me hoping that I may have been misguided. I don't think he'll ever be able to produce the amount of goals Robbie did in the EPL or for Ireland, but when Robbie is done perhaps he could "théam sa bhearna baoil," if you will, as geysir pointed out.

[Serb]

To qualify what I said earlier, he's nowhere near as good as Robbie Keane, and he never will be. However, he's definitely the closest we have to a like-for-like replacement for him once Keane retires. He has the energy and the passion that has been a part of Robbie's game since he was 18, he has an eye for goal, and he takes a decent penalty.

That's not to say he'll come close to 50 goals in the green — no chance — but I'd say he has the ability to put away 15 - 20 (he has 5 already and he hasn't played many games). I think his chances will be quite limited for the next 3 or 4 years though, as I would expect Keane to keep plugging away until 33 at least. Unless Stokes or Rooney can play themselves into contention, it's highly likely Long will be the man pulling on the number 10 jersey in a few years time.

[TrapAPony]

Scored for Reading in a 1-0 victory over WBA. Noel Hunt started up front with him. Ian Harte started at left back too.

[tetsujin1979]

4th goal in 3 games VS Doncaster

[paul_oshea]

is that 13 for the season? or 13 league goals?

[tetsujin1979]

is that 13 for the season? or 13 league goals?
12, 11 in the league, 1 in the FA Cup

[Sullivinho]

Long may this vein of form continue, could be the making of him.

[paul_oshea]

i was sure it said 12th goal after he scored in the fa cup. Thats not saying i think im right though.

[elroy]

Eight goals in his last seven games. Impressive stuff and according to sky earlier he is starting to attract attention from PL clubs. Tonights goal was meant to be particularly well taken. 14 goals for the season, including club and country.

http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=41355

[Noelys Guitar]

To qualify what I said earlier, he's nowhere near as good as Robbie Keane, and he never will be. However, he's definitely the closest we have to a like-for-like replacement for him once Keane retires. He has the energy and the passion that has been a part of Robbie's game since he was 18, he has an eye for goal, and he takes a decent penalty.

That's not to say he'll come close to 50 goals in the green — no chance — but I'd say he has the ability to put away 15 - 20 (he has 5 already and he hasn't played many games). I think his chances will be quite limited for the next 3 or 4 years though, as I would expect Keane to keep plugging away until 33 at least. Unless Stokes or Rooney can play themselves into contention, it's highly likely Long will be the man pulling on the number 10 jersey in a few years time.

What does plugging away mean? Long is a better goal scorer than Keane at this moment in time. Thats all that counts. We already have enough "plugging away types".

[CraftyToePoke]

What does plugging away mean? Long is a better goal scorer than Keane at this moment in time. Thats all that counts. We already have enough "plugging away types".

Keane said on Pat Kenny over Christmas he wants to beat the English record, I think thats Linekers, not sure. After he has done that we will see how long he sticks around if there is a new manager looking at a rebuild, which there may be, or if we were to qualify and he reached his goal during the tournament. 5 more plugs I make that then, could be wrong.

If Long sustains this he will be tough to ignore, took the goal at the weekend like there was no keeper to deal with.

[paul_oshea]

Its bobby charltons. Its a realistic record to beat but its another way of keane saying he wants to get to 50.im sure if he gets to 50 he will want to break another record

[dr_peepee]

I can't see Keane retiring from International Football as long as he's still playing Professionally....

[Serb]

What does plugging away mean? Long is a better goal scorer than Keane at this moment in time. Thats all that counts. We already have enough "plugging away types".

I didn't mean "plugging away" in some kind of derogatory sense. Plugging away just meant playing football. To be fair to Keane, Long is in a better goal scorer than Keane right now because it's hard to score goals while you're sitting on the bench. Assuming Keane seals a move during this transfer window, he'll be back to scoring goals regularly at a higher level than Long.

As regards his international career, Dr. PeePee makes a good point:


I can't see Keane retiring from International Football as long as he's still playing Professionally....

I'd actually go one further and say, I can't see Keane not being picked as a regular starter in international football as long as he's playing professionally. I think it's a silly suggestion to say that his place in the Ireland team is seriously under threat. We have no player like him, even when he's not playing regular club football, and I wouldn't bet on seeing another striker as good as him in the green in my lifetime.

[Kingdom]

Robbie Keane is as good as we've ever had. But he's looked rusty for us the last couple of appearances, most notably in Slovakia. It could have just been an offday, but the problem is once he's not playing regular club football it's not possible to say whether it was an off day or as a result of rustiness.

[Junior]

As regards his international career, Dr. PeePee makes a good point:

I'd actually go one further and say, I can't see Keane not being picked as a regular starter in international football as long as he's playing professionally. I think it's a silly suggestion to say that his place in the Ireland team is seriously under threat. We have no player like him, even when he's not playing regular club football, and I wouldn't bet on seeing another striker as good as him in the green in my lifetime.

It will be strange alright. The day will come though and it will be akin to Raul being dropped from Real or the National team.....a strange feeling that something doesnt quite seem right.

[dr_peepee]

Jayzus, Darren Bent handed in a Transfer Request at Sunderland!! 18m Bid from Villa too apparently..... We could see Robbie up in Sunderland afterall!!!

[Serb]

It will be strange alright. The day will come though and it will be akin to Raul being dropped from Real or the National team.....a strange feeling that something doesnt quite seem right.

In relation to the national team, I think Raul being dropped is very different. Look at the caliber of strikers that have come through behind Raul: David Villa (who has already equaled Raul's goal scoring record for Spain) and Fernando Torres (whose international scoring record is relatively quite poor, "only" 26 goals in 82 games, but is still one of the top strikers in Europe). Spain have the pool of players that they can afford to drop players like Raul. We don't.

[Junior]

Agreed, I just meant in terms of he was (Raul) like a 'fixture & fitting' so to speak. Now if David Connolly was still pushing for a place it would be exactly the same.

[SkStu]

In relation to the national team, I think Raul being dropped is very different. Look at the caliber of strikers that have come through behind Raul: David Villa (who has already equaled Raul's goal scoring record for Spain) and Fernando Torres (whose international scoring record is relatively quite poor, "only" 26 goals in 82 games, but is still one of the top strikers in Europe). Spain have the pool of players that they can afford to drop players like Raul. We don't.

Raul got dropped and Spain proceeded to win their first tournament in 50 years... i dont mind the comparison.

Though obviously it wouldnt be as long a wait in our case, given that we won the Icelandic Triangular Tournament under JC in 1986.

[Serb]

Though obviously it wouldnt be as long a wait in our case, given that we won the Icelandic Triangular Tournament under JC in 1986.

Celtic Cup, here we come.

[SkStu]

It is written. :)

[TrapAPony]

Scored the winner on 87mins in a 2-1 away win over Stevenage in the FA Cup.

[TrapAPony]

Ivar Ingimarsson believes Reading would have to be offered a ‘hell of a lot of money’ to sell Shane Long.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1352052/Stevenage-1-Reading-2-Shane-Long-cost-hell-lot-money-says-Ingimarsson.html

[CraftyToePoke]

Sounds like fighting talk from a man desperte for midnight tonight, still all good from our view point, even better if he goes to a Prem side who arent circling the plughole, an established team at that level. Would be great to see someone like Everton take a punt on him.

[elroy]

Talk of Celtic putting in a bid according to the today fm this morning. No no and no. He is too good and showing far too much potential to move up there. Would prefer that he continues his progress with Reading until the summer at least and then reassess his options.

[Plastic Paddy]

Talk of Celtic putting in a bid according to the today fm this morning. No no and no. He is too good and showing far too much potential to move up there. Would prefer that he continues his progress with Reading until the summer at least and then reassess his options.

That was the gist of the post that I had removed. I think Today FM's info came from message board chatter. Long is a player that is liked by the Celtic hierarchy but not considered essential.

:ball: PP

[Noelys Guitar]

Long possible move to West Ham BBC (even if Hammond is denying it)
https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david Our front two against Slovakia away playing up front for West ham.

[seanfhear]

The Long to West Ham rumour has been around before and it is a possibility. It certainly would not surprise me if middle to lower premier league clubs were showing an interest with Shane's recent form.

[theworm2345]

I can't see West Ham buying Long after just recently buying Demba Ba, loaning Robbie Keane, and still having Cole (at least for now), Obinna, Piquionne, and even Benni McCarthy (who, at the very least, still has to get paid and West Ham aren't exactly a model for good finances).

EDIT: They also just signed 18 year old striker Paul McCallum from non-league Dulwich Hamlet.

[ken foree]

I can't see West Ham buying Long after just recently buying Demba Ba, loaning Robbie Keane, and still having Cole (at least for now), Obinna, Piquionne, and even Benni McCarthy (who, at the very least, still has to get paid and West Ham aren't exactly a model for good finances).

newcy maybe? they seem like they are about to be flush with cash.

[Noelys Guitar]

19.45 Sky Sports News has just shown footage of Avram Grant chatting outside the West Ham training ground - and the Hammers boss says the east Londoners could still add "maybe one" more player to the squad before the close of the transfer window. Carlton Cole, however, is staying put, he says, despite links to Newcastle

[TrapAPony]

19.45 Sky Sports News has just shown footage of Avram Grant chatting outside the West Ham training ground - and the Hammers boss says the east Londoners could still add "maybe one" more player to the squad before the close of the transfer window. Carlton Cole, however, is staying put, he says, despite links to Newcastle

This was probably it : ''West Ham have signed 17-year-old striker Paul McCallum from non-league Dulwich Hamlet for an undisclosed fee.''

[Charlie Darwin]

According to Twitter, Shane Long is at Upton Park, undergoing a medical at Newcastle United and a plane is currently on its way to Reading to fly him up to Glasgow to clinch the deal with Celtic. He's going to be wrecked by the end of the night...

[theworm2345]

Just hauled off after 18 minutes, must be an injury.

[tetsujin1979]

Reading turned down "strong Premier League interest" for Long in the transfer window: http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2282012,00.html

[tetsujin1979]

from the Cardiff - Reading live text feed: http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2282360,00.html

9 mins - Longy has needed some treatment. It looks like his hip is causing him a problem. He's trying to run it off now. All eyes are on our star striker and how he is running.

17 mins - He's left it as long as possible but Brian MCDermott is forced to make a change. Long will come off and Noel Hunt enters the fray early.

[Junior]

And how did Noely do?