Leave Shane alone.

[RFCMod]

I think we said this after the Dagenham game
Trappatoni obviously has told him that if he wants to be a permanent part of the the Republic set up hes got to beef himself up a bit and not be afraid to have a go at defenders
I think hes definately living up to this and hes a different looking player than last season
The more he wants to get into the Republic set up permanently is better for us,especially if hes coming off the bench

[brendywendy]

agreed, hes looked a different player this season, in terms of size, and agrression
i just think he was trying too hard before th goal came, and putting too much pressure on himself, after coppells comments about needing to produce now, or he'll be off etc
now the goals come im hoping we will see a more relaxed shlong who may even push for that starting place-either way we have a 3rd choice striker who will always put in 100%, always put in a tackle, and never moan about being on the bench

love the kid, love his attitude, love his price tag.
and still scored one of the most amazing goals ive seen, albeit in a reserve game

[Skyline]

Two appearances from Long this season really epitomised him for me - Luton in the LC, and coming off the bench against Sheff Wed. If ever there were two games where he had a chance to really make an impact then those were the ones, but (apart from one good run and shot at the Luton keeper) he was largely anonymous in both games.

I asked before the season began how long we were going to keep regarding him as an 'up-and-coming' player. As has been pointed out, he's in his fourth season with us, but he's still just 'potential'.

What he really needs is to be loaned out to a (decent) League 1 side to learn the trade of being a footballer.

[CMRoyal]

Two appearances from Long this season really epitomised him for me - Luton in the LC, and coming off the bench against Sheff Wed. If ever there were two games where he had a chance to really make an impact then those were the ones, but (apart from one good run and shot at the Luton keeper) he was largely anonymous in both games.

True, but as others have pointed out, he's been better since. Inconsistency is certainly an issue (and confidence), but I'm less concerned about his ability to control and pass a ball after Saturday's match, where he wasn't too shabby at either. I just wonder if he puts too much pressure on himself in the build-up to matches when he's in the starting line-up, he always seems so nervous. But he's a professional, so he needs to sort that out somehow if that is the case.

[Basingstoke Royal]

I wouldnt want us to sell Shane Long, but what I dont agree with is him starting any matches for the first team when Noel Hunt is a much better player.

Shane is much better when he comes on as a sub and the oppositions defenders are tired.

I also think that he might be becoming a bit too arrogant and lazy, he doesnt appear to be giving 100% at the moment.

[LUX]

look, he clearly is not world class, but the motivation behind the original post and a few other posters was "get off his back". Some of the stuff written about Shunt on here was unbelievably knee-jerk and pathetic a couple of months (er, weeks) ago. Now he is God's gift and Long gets the treatment.

[Jerry St Clair]

look, he clearly is not world class, but the motivation behind the original post and a few other posters was "get off his back". Some of the stuff written about Shunt on here was unbelievably knee-jerk and pathetic a couple of months (er, weeks) ago. Now he is God's gift and Long gets the treatment.

Am I allowed to be completely indifferent to Long? He's so inoffensive I can't be bothered to have an opinion either way.

[brendywendy]

I wouldnt want us to sell Shane Long, but what I dont agree with is him starting any matches for the first team when Noel Hunt is a much better player.

Shane is much better when he comes on as a sub and the oppositions defenders are tired.

I also think that he might be becoming a bit too arrogant and lazy, he doesnt appear to be giving 100% at the moment.

imo i think thats totally wrong
the kid gives 110% every game
and thats why coppell loves the bloke

[londinium]

Derby - New Years day - the header that kept our unbeaten run going - for that reason alone I like him.

I Still call him bambi when he plays, and he does not fill me with excitement when playing from the start, but from the bench I like him.

As for being arrogant and not giving 100% - that is total gash and anyone who thinks that is either stupid or a total idiot or possibly both (if that is possible).

[Bill Oddie's Beard]

He's starting for Ireland B tonight
http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/pa ... 97,00.html

Lol at Noel Hunt withdrawing for 'head, shoulders and knee' injuries.

(I'm not laughing at Noel's injuries, it just sounds funny)

[papereyes]

Some oxf*rd will stamp on his foot to complete the set.

[Archie's penalty]

I wouldnt want us to sell Shane Long, but what I dont agree with is him starting any matches for the first team when Noel Hunt is a much better player.

Shane is much better when he comes on as a sub and the oppositions defenders are tired.

I also think that he might be becoming a bit too arrogant and lazy, he doesnt appear to be giving 100% at the moment.

imo i think thats totally wrong
the kid gives 110% every game
and thats why coppell loves the bloke

Totally agree. He gives his all. I'm not sure if he's quite good enough though. Shame that Noel was injured. I think he would have been great for Ireland B...

[RoyalBlue]

He's scored us a few important goals tbh.

No, he hasn't, as I just showed.

Twice Long has come off the bench and scored points-winning goals.

Take off all Long's league goals since he joined Reading and we are only 5 points worse off in 3 and a bit seasons.

Add to that, didn't he come off the bench during a critical game last season and miss an absolute sitter?

I wouldn't slag him off and will support him fully when he's playing for us but, in my ignorance, would still prefer to see Lita in his place!

[SteveRoyal]

agreed, hes looked a different player this season, in terms of size, and agrression
i just think he was trying too hard before th goal came, and putting too much pressure on himself, after coppells comments about needing to produce now, or he'll be off etc
now the goals come im hoping we will see a more relaxed shlong who may even push for that starting place-either way we have a 3rd choice striker who will always put in 100%, always put in a tackle, and never moan about being on the bench

love the kid, love his attitude, love his price tag.
and still scored one of the most amazing goals ive seen, albeit in a reserve game

I'd love to see a video of this.

[brendywendy]

a shot from the tightest possible angle from yards outside the penalty box, almost on the goal line
meant it aswell-looked up, no one near the goal, slammed it like a rocket into the net

[Sarah Star]

He's got a chance to shine tonight in the Ireland B squad.

[SteveRoyal]

He's got a chance to shine tonight in the Ireland B squad.

Shine or sink. Glad to see you put the positive spin on it, though.

[Sarah Star]

Don't think he'll sink, but he's got a chance to fight his way off the subs bench.

[Bill Oddie's Beard]

agreed, hes looked a different player this season, in terms of size, and agrression
i just think he was trying too hard before th goal came, and putting too much pressure on himself, after coppells comments about needing to produce now, or he'll be off etc
now the goals come im hoping we will see a more relaxed shlong who may even push for that starting place-either way we have a 3rd choice striker who will always put in 100%, always put in a tackle, and never moan about being on the bench

love the kid, love his attitude, love his price tag.
and still scored one of the most amazing goals ive seen, albeit in a reserve game

It was in a cup game Brendy!!! How many times

[brendywendy]

agreed, hes looked a different player this season, in terms of size, and agrression
i just think he was trying too hard before th goal came, and putting too much pressure on himself, after coppells comments about needing to produce now, or he'll be off etc
now the goals come im hoping we will see a more relaxed shlong who may even push for that starting place-either way we have a 3rd choice striker who will always put in 100%, always put in a tackle, and never moan about being on the bench

love the kid, love his attitude, love his price tag.
and still scored one of the most amazing goals ive seen, albeit in a reserve game

It was in a cup game Brendy!!! How many times

doh!

every flecking time


i give in today

im not cut out for the interweb.