Last time Shane Long played this well was just before his previous contract was going to expire.
78 pace on Fifa?!
Last time Shane Long played this well was just before his previous contract was going to expire.
He is probably doing better with out the ‘Pep’ talks from O’Neill and Keane . Not hearing what ‘ he couldn’t do ' probably has boosted him .
Starts tonight against Man City in the EFL Cup.
There's an 18 year old called Tommy Doyle starting for City.
A thankless night for Long as you’d expect away to Man City. Hardly got a touch of the ball, withdrawn just before the 70 min mark.
Both his grandfathers had long City careers and played four England
Played 85 minutes tonight (his second start of the season), and a header in the general direction of the goal turned into an assist for Ryan Bertrand: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50568389#tab-0
Very unlucky not to score against Watford last week having come on as a sub.
Folding my way into the big money!!!
From the Guardian
"Shane Long was again lively and departed to a standing ovation five minutes from time."
I read the print edition yesterday and there was another very positive comment on his performance.
Long has been largely on the fringes at Southampton during McCarthy’s tenure. That said, Long is getting a run of games now and it was nice to see fans chant his name when he was subbed off near the end this week. If he continues to be involved for Southampton, he will certainly be in our playoff squad for March.
Shane Long starting again today away to Newcastle and facing off against Ciaran Clark.
Such a pity he's finding his way into the team after the run of international games and well before March. Would be great if he stayed in the team. Mick's stance on him is baffling in my view. He was never so far away from the Southampton team that a run of games wouldn't come. Now, if his run continues and Mick is forced to pick him in March, Long has been out of the squad and not engaged with everything going on there. Madness in my view.
I agree. I presume there was some private falling out or 'difference of opinion'?
Long will never make it as a goal scorer at this stage is beyond stating the obvious, but international football is about the here and now and is also beyond obvious he offers more to us than most of the other forwards ahead of him in recent squads.
Poor from Mick with this one.
We have 5 decent strikers if McCarthy bothers to pick the best we have available. Connolly, Parrott, Long, McGoldrick and Robinson are decent enough options to have. There's no need for McCarthy to continue to pick Collins and Hogan for no reason whatsoever.
"We lost because we didn't win"- Ronaldo
Easy to say in hindsight. I think it was worth examining Collins and Hogan. Bottom line we still lack a consistent goal scorer and as much as I like Long, he isn’t that.
I support calls for Long’s recall for the March games — but here is a genuine question — do we want a front two (Long and McGoldrick), who both contribute so much but lack that elite finishing ability?
In practical terms I think we’ll see McGoldrick start with Connolly, with Long used as McGoldrick’s backup or as a different kind of option if needed.
Bookmarks