one of the first problems Trapattoni identified was that our two central midfielders often left the centre halves exposed, which is why he played two defensive players in the middle of the park.
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one of the first problems Trapattoni identified was that our two central midfielders often left the centre halves exposed, which is why he played two defensive players in the middle of the park.
as we say in castellano, he broke the 9's drought , today
Great to see Long score. Hope it results in a run. He loves a good run.
Great to see him break the 9's drought so early in his loan spell.
Here in some other quasi-exotic location (we'll say Bucharest) we call it 'The Famine of the 9' instead. Local commentators were well known for talking about it at great length in their frequent discussions about John Byrne and, later, Connor Salmon.
But never Frank Stapleton?Quote:
Originally Posted by sadloserkid
In Bucharest we call Francis Stapleton 'The Sandcastle' in our frequent discussions about his short stint at Ajax. Because it fell apart so badly. Noi radem foarte mult!Quote:
Originally Posted by John83
Personally I'm reserving judgement until he puts in a shift in Dara O'Shea's holding midfield role.
what a great great complete modern 9 Frank Stapleton was at his prime, unplayable! Different class! I remember as a kid 8 or 9 years old they broadcasted Diego's all matches from Barça, at some stage they played vs Man U, it was 84 or 85, Diego wasnt playing for Argentina he asked for a hiatus and our coach Bilardo accepted that petition, so the AFA and the president Alfonsin social democratic government decided to put on tv Diego's games on the public tv, dont remember if the matches were taped or live, (when he went to Nápoles it was the private channel owned by a gallego from Galicia, Romay).
I remember Frank Stapleton was the best player on the pitch vs Barça, scored too.
Then later on he had a hip injury and lost his pace, he was a pacey 9. Jack Charlton talked about it, and I still think he could have played vs Egypt or Italy coming from the bench
Will be fantastic as a holding mid. We were there before, remember Paul McGrath and Lawrenson, a cutting edge tacticQuote:
Originally Posted by Eminence Grise
As I said before, we have to play our best players, the defenders, they have to be the more composed on the ball. A commanding midfield with a bit a bite and control a number 10, and two nuissance attackers.
My team is
1-Randolph/Westwood or young Kelleher
2-Coleman
3-Stevens
4-"young" Doherty
5-Egan
6-Dara O'Shea
7-Cullen
8-McCarthy
9-Long
10-Connor Ronan or Callum O'Hare
11-Connolly
Egan won't be in the squad, unless you have evidence that he will recover in time, don't discuss him
Callum O'Hare isn't likely to be in the squad, unless you have evidence that the player is in the process of declaring, don't mention him again
Ronan has only completed 90 minutes twice since the start of the year, and he's only played 86 minutes in Grasshopper's last three games combined - and that's in the Swiss second division. I doubt he's ready for his international debut in an away qualifier.
that's my ideal team, compañero!Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
I would go with Kevin Long or Clark next to Doherty, If kevin plays Doherty would be left center back. On the number 10 role yes I would have capped Ronan after Slovakia for sure, I dont care he's on loan Grasshopper are a big european team after all even when they are coming back!
O'hare someone said his sister is an irish champion? is that accurate?
if so, the kid wont be far, he showed balls for rejecting a bench role at villa on forcing himself a carrer
Long on the bench today. Rob Elliot, as it happens, on the Watford bench too.
Always struck me as a great lad - even as a squad player you'd think he'd offer something. Seems strange that McCarthy and Kenny have left him out of squads. He'll always at the very least offer professionalism, experience, a great attitude, work ethic and pace.
Shane Long missed out on the match squad for Bournemouth's past three league games because of a groin injury. Southern Daily Echo reports (23/04/21) that a meeting between the Bournemouth and Southampton physios regarding him took place this week, with the St Mary’s side now going to work on restoring Long back to fitness.
Could the Portsmouth Physio also have a look ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Demesne Lad
Has another year on his deal at Southampton. He turned 34 back on January 22, so he'll be 35 and a half by the time his contract is up next summer. Should be very interesting to see where he plays next season.
Would be surprised if it's the Premier League to be honest. Should have another season in him at Championship level, maybe two at a stretch, before he finishes up.
Hasenhuttl has reassured Shane Long that the club ‘will find a solution' for his future, refusing to rule out a role for Long at Southampton next season. Hasenhuttl wasn't happy with the limited game-time Long got at Bournemouth, but wants to get something sorted for him. “Longy has done a good job for this club for a long time and we will find a solution, definitely". (Hampshire Live, 21 May). Woodgate (Bournemouth) says it's great to have Long around, but left him on the bench yet again during the defeat in the play-offs.
He came on late, overhit a cross with the only opportunity he got. He’s edging towards retirement and will need to drop down a level or two over the summer.
I’m happy Bournemouth are staying in championship. It’s good from an Irish perspective. Hopefully Kilkenny and Travers get more of a look in next season
Shane Long has a year to run on a contract that pays him 60,000 British pounds per week. Can't see him walking away from that. He might be close to retirement but Southampton made a two year commitment to him less than a year ago, so they'll have to top up his wages if he agrees to play in League 1 next season, which I find extremely doubtful.
Wow didn’t realize that! Bad management from Southampton. I guess he could be sitting pretty in their reserves so, perhaps a lower end champ team will be willing to subsidize some of his wages
I'm sure there are worse strikers in the Championship than him. Do you mean a level or two below Championship or Premiership?Quote:
Originally Posted by tommy_c12000
I don't hold out much hope of Travers or Kilkenny getting much game time at Bournemouth next season. Travers may fall into the back up keeper trap again where he can't go on loan because he's the number two, but has no realistic prospect of getting a start ahead of Begovic.
Kilkenny will surely push for a loan if he has any intention or desire of making it as a professional footballer. He's 21 now and has hardly kicked a ball in senior football in his career. That's really not good, he has missed out on too much development time in the last two years. I don't hold out too much hope for him on that basis to be honest.
In terms of Long, a bit nuts from Southampton to give him that contract in hindsight, it's incredible the money bottom half EPL teams have to throw around. They'll probably just find him another loan in the Championship for his last year with them. He is of little or no use to the Southampton first team at this stage.
Premier league of course. Didn’t get much game time with Bournemouth this year. And a year older next yearQuote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
When is the last time he played in Premiership?
He’s on bench every week but never gets any minutes
Came off the bench in September against Wolves per soccerway. His only 16 minutes of the season
I suspect he’s a guy who is in the squad primarily as a mentor to younger players.
By all accounts he works harder than anyone else and by doing that in training and being on the bench each week, it means everyone knows if they drop their work rate, he could step in. All of that said you’ve got to think he’ll retire or drop a level soon.
Came off bench and scored today
Still an option for us? I would say so. The generational gap between the likes of Long and the likes of Ferguson is is not inconsiderable.
A 'stop-gap' option is hardly out of the question. Realistically, that's where we are right now.
Yes and let's not forget he made the difference when he came on V Serbia, forcing the error for Ireland's almost comeback. At a time when we were at a very low ebb.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trequartista20
He still has something to offer I feel.
Scored his first Premier League goal in almost exactly two years today, at home to Everton.
Maybe life in the old dog yet!
Given our paucity of options, I seriously think he’s worth his place in the squad as an impact sub at least.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
..at least, yes.
Played the first 79 mins away to Brighton & Hove Albion today. The first post in this thread was on 12 September 2006!!
17 premier league appearances (yes all limited minutes) is pretty decent going.
Not bad for an Auld Fella.Quote:
Originally Posted by Exgrad