I dunno. Even for a guy who brings others into the game he still leaves a few too many out there for me. I often wonder if he hits a purple patch will it become self fulfilling, where a run of goals leads to a further run of goals. A good run of games will certainly help and I suspect his partnership with Jelavic will become a good one. It's funny, but not long ago people were saying strike partnerships were a thing of the past. They seem to be making a comeback.Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks
In Hull's case I'd say it's because they play 3-5-2 which is conducive to playing two out-and-out strikers. Rooney and Van Persie would be the more common recent example, with one out-and-out striker and another sometime striker playing in the hole.
I'm one of the few here that rates Long extremely highly. I think his biggest fault is that he's not an instinctive or natural goalscorer. When he has time to figure out what he wants to do with a ball, he usually does the business. I love the other elements of his game and they shouldn't be underestimated. I think they are underestimated here. I'll never forget his performance in that friendly vs Uruguay. He tore them a new arsehole. I'd take that even if it meant sacrificing a more instinctive goalscorer.
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
Liverrpool?
Also, just in case there's amny ambiguity: I do rate Long very highly. He's a beast to play against. But I would be cautious of relying on him for goals.
Extremely highly in the context of Irish forwards?
Would that not be the opinion of the majority here?
No. Generally.
I think his all round game is particularly undervalued on here.
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
Would you think that Doyle's all round game got more recognition Stu? It probably did to be fair but, if anything, I think Long's being judged off higher standards, for me anyway. While I was reasonably content with a big workrate, running the channels, etc. from Doyle, I think it's the minimum Long has to offer.
I think he suffers from being touted as a direct replacement for Robbie Keane, which he is not. Kevin Doyle was always just rated on his performance as a Kevin Doyle.
Would you say the same thing about Caleb folan Peadar?
No Somos muchos pero estamos locos.
Who?!
It gets better and better for the FAI kitty...
Ireland to play England in Dublin, May 2015
Ideal preparation for the Scotland game to be fair.
Hmm, security's gonna cost them for that game...even though the visitors should be much, er, calmer than last time.
As for 'ideal preparation' not sure this will, given its profile. Plus that shower must be due a win against us.
It will keep things ticking over nicely for the international team after the club season ends. A full house and proper competitive game before the massive one in June... couldn't be better I think. If we lose we lose, hardly a reason not to play them.
Hmm, the FAI couldn't spin it any better themselves.
Let's hope it's another twenty years before we bother with them again. And games in June are often poor as players are going through the motions after a long hard season.
Plus yet another tedious home friendly. Yawn.
We're playing in June regardless.
THE FAI have not ruled out the possibility of playing twice at the Aviva Stadium within 48 hours in order to ensure that a proposed Dublin return for England goes ahead next March.
Before last May's successful encounter at Wembley, the English FA had given a commitment they would come to Ireland, and officials had been looking towards spring 2015, just after the 20-year anniversary of the infamous Lansdowne Road debacle that was abandoned due to crowd trouble caused by visiting fans.Sunday's Euro 2016 draw put a spanner in the works, with the new UEFA fixture list, spread from Thursday to Tuesday, pencilling Ireland in for a crucial qualifier with Poland on Sunday, March 29 with England at home to Lithuania on March 27.
In order for the lucrative fixture to go ahead within that international window, it would have to take place on Tuesday, March 31 – leaving Martin O'Neill's (above) men with little recovery time and increasing the chances of a depleted team being selected.
The FAI discussed the situation with their English counterparts in France and it's believed that they haven't dismissed the idea of a quick turnaround. "Discussions are ongoing with the FA," said an FAI spokesperson. "We spoke to them after the draw and will speak to them later in the week."
November 2014 was originally mentioned as a possible window and there is room for a game following the trip to Scotland, but 2015 is viewed as a more likely option despite the fact that the FAI could do with a big Dublin date this year, given that their only Aviva qualifier is the visit of Gibraltar.
If the March plan fails to come off or is vetoed by O'Neill, then the occasion would be delayed until the summer of 2015 at the earliest when Ireland welcome Scotland to Dublin on June 13, while England are in Slovenia 24 hours later.
That would be pointless as far as the team are concerned.
Well, that's down to our 'glorious leaders' in Abbotstown...
Plus whenever the security can be spared.
A possible date is a week before the June 2015 qualifiers, June 6th or thereabouts.
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist thinks it will change; the realist adjusts the sails.
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