Republic of Ireland V Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica & Portugal - May/June 2014

**Park_Lane** · 04/06/2014, 7:41 AM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Can anyone answer why Long is constantly chewing gum or whatever it is on the pitch? Is there a particular reason for it related to performance?

Im probably being a bit unfair but everytime I see him miss a chance and theres a close up of him chewing away on something it just looks like hes being too damn casual. Im a big fan of his, if he had half of Robbies finishing ability he could be a world beater but he should have burried some of the chances he had recently.

I agree with everything Joe says here, I would hope that someone is spending extra time with him coaching him on his finishing. And someone tell him to get rid of the bloody gum before he chokes on it!

Apparently he chews nicotine gum, so I've heard anyway. He really is an awful finisher, no composure in front of goal.

**tetsujin1979** · 04/06/2014, 9:43 AM

Originally Posted by Park_Lane

Apparently he chews nicotine gum, so I've heard anyway. He really is an awful finisher, no composure in front of goal.

yep nicotine gum, confirmed it himself on twitter a few months ago - https://twitter.com/Shanelong009/sta...61306964168704

**SwanVsDalton** · 04/06/2014, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

yep nicotine gum, confirmed it himself on twitter a few months ago - https://twitter.com/Shanelong009/sta...61306964168704

He says caffeine gum, is that not something else?

**DeLorean** · 04/06/2014, 10:58 AM

I'd say he started using the caffeine gum during the Trap era

**Razors left peg** · 04/06/2014, 5:22 PM

Caffeine or nicotine gum.... to fight the craving for a cigarette and a cup of coffee, any wonder he cant concentrate in front of goal with all that going on

**SwanVsDalton** · 04/06/2014, 5:23 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Caffeine or nicotine gum.... to fight the craving for a cigarette and a cup of coffee, any wonder he cant concentrate in front of goal with all that going on

Gets the jitters every time he's clean through on goal.

Say no to drugs, kids.

**tricky_colour** · 04/06/2014, 8:07 PM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Gets the jitters every time he's clean through on goal.

Say no to drugs, kids.

That is a good point actually, I am surprise there is not some sort of ban as caffeine is a stimulant,
but obviously that's not really feasible as caffeine is in tea coffee etc.

Obviously having faster reaction might help but as you say it could also have the effect
of giving you the jitters in front of goal. I hope he is keep track of his goal scoring rate
since he start using it to see if it having an adverse effect or not.

**TrapAPony** · 04/06/2014, 8:32 PM

Italy 1-1 Luxembourg and it was Italy's full team bar a couple of late subs

**Stuttgart88** · 04/06/2014, 9:01 PM

What gum do Luxembourg's forwards chew?

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/06/2014, 9:03 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

That is a good point actually, I am surprise there is not some sort of ban as caffeine is a stimulant,
but obviously that's not really feasible as caffeine is in tea coffee etc.

Obviously having faster reaction might help but as you say it could also have the effect
of giving you the jitters in front of goal. I hope he is keep track of his goal scoring rate
since he start using it to see if it having an adverse effect or not.

Caffeine gum is pretty low in concentration compared to caffeine pills for example. As far as I know, drug tests test for caffeine so if you've got abnormal levels it is banned.

**BonnieShels** · 04/06/2014, 9:03 PM

Originally Posted by TrapAPony

Italy 1-1 Luxembourg and it was Italy's full team bar a couple of late subs

So Luxembourg are better than us?

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/06/2014, 9:08 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

So Luxembourg are better than us?

They looked pretty decent against Belgium to be fair. Rattled them so much they had to use seven subs.

**BonnieShels** · 04/06/2014, 9:14 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

They looked pretty decent against Belgium to be fair. Rattled them so much they had to use seven subs.

We should give up. Scotland are better as well. What's the point.

**pineapple stu** · 04/06/2014, 9:30 PM

Ecuador 2-2 England as well. I think Uruguay only beat the North 1-0 earlier in the week. Costa Rica will be rubbing their hands with glee I'm sure

**BonnieShels** · 04/06/2014, 9:36 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Ecuador 2-2 England as well. I think Uruguay only beat the North 1-0 earlier in the week. Costa Rica will be rubbing their hands with glee I'm sure

Costa Rica will be shocked when McGeady and McCarthy step out instead of Oliver Norwood and Sammy Clingan.

**tricky_colour** · 04/06/2014, 9:53 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Caffeine gum is pretty low in concentration compared to caffeine pills for example. As far as I know, drug tests test for caffeine so if you've got abnormal levels it is banned.

I wonder what Whelan drinks before a game?

**TrapAPony** · 04/06/2014, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

So Luxembourg are better than us?

We would have to play them to find out

**Razors left peg** · 04/06/2014, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Ecuador 2-2 England as well. I think Uruguay only beat the North 1-0 earlier in the week. Costa Rica will be rubbing their hands with glee I'm sure

Ecuador are decent side. I was at a game in Portugal last year where they won 4-2 against a full strength Portugal team and they were brilliant that night

**BonnieShels** · 04/06/2014, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by TrapAPony

We would have to play them to find out

No point.

**paul_oshea** · 04/06/2014, 11:05 PM

a bit of perspective for all of you after the italy like I had said.

that's their 4th draw in 9 months....certainly takes the gloss off ours when we couldn't even score!!! like I said these games mean nothing only hope for partnerships and understandings to form but if different players playing the whole time then we don't even get that.
These 4 games could be completely useless