Shane Long

Well you seem to be taking his treatment to heart in a way I suspect you wouldn't for other players. I don't know Koeman's exact thought process, but the most likely reason for his sporadic omission is tactical. Like Robbie Brady at Hull, he's being played in a position to which he isn't entirely suited, so when things aren't going right he will always be vulnerable to a more specialised player taking his place. It's difficult for a player when the formation doesn't allow him to play in his best role.

Hesketh injured and replaced by Ward Prowse

http://www.avsforum.com/photopost/da...-Chan-WTF.jpeg
faux outrage btw

Pelle's ten times the goal threat Long is and is rightly selected as the main danger man in the attack. If he ever decides to go with an orthodox two up front then fair enough, but it would be utterly bizarre to start Long in that position at Pelle's expense, at this moment in time. I've massive time for Long but you'd have to be seriously deluded (as an obvious result of being too attached emotionally) to think that he deserves more game time in his natural position, when it's clear as day there is somebody more effective and crucially, more clinical, in that role, more often than not. He might be slightly unlucky to be dropped but I think he's a huge asset from the bench, and that's the role he should also have for us imo.

Koeman was spot on in saying that the difference between United and Southampton the other night was Van Persie's ability to take his chances when Southampton didn't take theirs. It just so happened that it was Long who missed Southampton's most clear cut chances, there was nothing personally scathing that I could make out, unless a different interview/press conference is being referred to.

And again, Long has a goalscoring record of one in just over every three starts. I don't think it's out of the realms of logic to use him up front alongside Pelle or on his own when Pelle is off form/to try something different (to use his superior aerial threat).

7 or 8 a season in 30 odd games is not too shabby. Especially when players like Jozy Altidore and Roberto Soldado get regular football.

I wonder if Dusan Tadic will be rotated now after missing a penalty today? His form has been **** poor more often than not lately. Some of their attacking problems could perhaps be attributed to his recent inability to beat his man or even put crosses in to the box.

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

Some of their attacking problems could perhaps be attributed to his recent inability to beat his man or even put crosses in to the box.

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Coincidentally, stats show Long has been the worst dribbler in the league this season: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-ze...league-4803203

Soldado and Altidore don't start ahead of him so I see no sense at all in the relentless banging of that drum. That's Tottenham and Sunderland's business/problem. Anyway, Spurs are obviously still clinging to the unlikely possibility that the Valencia Soldado might show up at some stage. Long should definitely be on the pitch by now though.

And he's on!

Well he's on the pitch now. http://www.stadium-live.biz/Channel9.html

Finished 1-0. This should have been the easiest game of a very tough run for Southampton and you can see them sliding back to mid-table now.

They probably didn't deserve to lose but didn't really create enough to win either. The penalty was a gift and you just have to punish teams when you get those kind of chances. It was crying out for Long from an early stage in the second half I thought, Koeman left it far too late. You couldn't begrudge Burnley really, a severe lack of quality being masked over by a massive work ethic and organisation.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Coincidentally, stats show Long has been the worst dribbler in the league this season: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-ze...league-4803203

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Didier Drogba is little better, he is also better the Stephen Gerrard in that respect

Long is a decent hard working player but a clinical striker he ain't. Will always miss more than he will score.

http://www.givemesport.com/530027-sh...apital-one-cup

Long to be given a chance in his preferred striking role after Pelle picked up a (tactical?) booking to miss Capital One Cup game.

Long denied a clear penalty, again, but Southampton have taken the lead moments later anyway.

Long a nightmare for Jagielka to deal with.

Clever assist by Long for Southampton's second goal.

What did you ask for for Christmas, TOWKS?
One year we had a grab bag on here. Stutts got Charlie Darwin an iPod.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

Long denied a clear penalty, again

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Even the refs have it in for our Shane!

Martin Keown on the BBC's Final Score just name-checked Long for particular praise after Southampton's win. He was in admiration of his work-rate.

Martin's resorting to stock phrases used to praise the paddy, 'digs a straight trench', 'isn't shy to carry the full load in his hod', 'keeps going until knock-off time'.

Does hod mean shorts?