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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-p...prising-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)
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
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
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.
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).
And Scott Hogan does look like scoring when he appears for us?Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
That rests the case for me. Long should be included if he’s still playing regularlyQuote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
If McCarthy wasn't examining alternatives, he'd be crucified here for it too. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
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.
In fairness he's been appreciated by several stoneage managers.
We'd take stone-age goals these days or probably any days .Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
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.
Yeah I miss our storage goals.Quote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
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".
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"
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....Quote:
Originally Posted by tommy_c12000
Sorry, meant Stone Age above but it was autocorrected. Can't edit today.
No sign of him, Obafemi or Connolly on their respective benches today
Hasenhuttl singing Long's praises - https://www.irishexaminer.com/breaki...te-976040.html
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.
Gets another start today. Long, McGoldrick, Connolly and one of Robinson/Obafemi/Idah/Parrott should be the strikers for Ireland. Maguire after that.
Gets a goal too. Over to you, Mick.
Has hit the post as well. He's some man for pulling his game out of the gutter at contract renewal time.
Equals Damien Duff's premier league goals tally with that strike
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?
Robinson and McGoldrick have started together up front this season
Should have thought of that :DQuote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
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.
Ok, was probably a stupid question... still pretty cool though!Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_denilson
Should have scored! Would have made the game safe. Lost 3-2 from 2 up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eirambler
Delighted to see him play and score though.
Has equalised for Southampton in their cup replay at Spurs.
Second league goal of the season, takes him above Damien Duff as the third highest Irish goalscorer in the Premier League
Makes the better half of football365.com's weekly winners and losers article:
https://www.football365.com/news/pre...ndes-newcastleQuote:
Shane Long and Southampton
Danny Ings has been the headline story of Southampton’s redemption this season, and it’s pretty clear why. Since the shambolic 9-0 home defeat to Leicester City, no player has scored more Premier League goals than Ings and no player with five or more goals has a better conversion rate over the same period.
But Ings’ success is only part of a process, albeit the final, defining part. After that miserable November run left Southampton facing likely relegation, Ralph Hasenhuttl changed the system from a back three to a 4-4-2 that gave Ings more support. That also brought Shane Long back into the team.
Long came on after 57 minutes of the fixture against Watford on November 30 when Southampton were 1-0 down; they won 2-1. He then started his second league fixture of the season, which Southampton also won. The Irishman has rarely scored goals regularly across his career, but has three and an assist in his last seven matches.
More important than the goals is Long’s impact off the ball. He has always been a willing runner, stretching the game with sprints beyond the last defender and forever prepared to hassle opponents in possession. It is this high-intensity pressing that has transformed Southampton’s season.
“He showed again that he can score for us and that he works hard for us,” said Hasenhuttl after the victory over Aston Villa that took Southampton to the verge of safety. “He is a guy who is going quick behind the last line and this is what you need against this opponent. This is why it’s so important to have a player like him. It’s so important to have players that are focusing on the game plan we have, and he did that in a fantastic way.”
And that sums up Long, the selfless team player who will never be the one to take the headlines or adoration. Don’t be surprised if Hasenhuttl pushes for a new contract for a 33-year-old who doesn’t ever seem to lose his dependability. He’s in love.
Really happy that Long has been able to fight his way back into the team. Hope he gets a nice final three year deal -- will probably be his last decent pay day.
I have always been a fan of Shane Long but he is probably a championship player at this stage ; certainly next year , he ain’t getting any younger. Will Southampton go down this year ? ?
Long can still do a job in the Premier League. Southampton are flying, there's no chance they go down, sat in 12th on 34 points and 6 points from Europe.Quote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
Long has agreed a new contract with Southampton [rte]
Nice to hear the manager acknowledging what Shane Long does: he creates chances for others. His off the ball movement is brilliant. Ireland are better when he is on the pitch.
back on the bench tonight, with Smallbone, for Southampton V Arsenal. Obafemi starts