Shaun Long

[Rex]

This season he's not in the shadow of Doyle. There is also no Kitson to blot his copybook and possibly dent his confidence. It's the season where he has to step up and make himself an integral part of the team. Perhaps he now realizes this.

[Ian Royal]

Hopefully the start of this season was a combination of the tactical genius causing problems and Long going to far with his boxing training and putting on too much weight.

Now he's slimmed back down again, he looks stronger than before, and about as quick and tenacious as ever. His touch isn't brilliant still, but it's been a lot worse. Fingers crossed.

[Snowball]

Shane was injured early this season and playing under a manager who "complicated things"

He was never going to suit "tippy-tappy"

And perhaps this manager is trusting him, giving him confidence (another example is Kebe)

and perhaps it's simply that Shane has reached 23 and is starting to grow up a little. He still looks like a very young man
and remember that as a footballer he is still under-developed, not having been in the game from 6/7/8 like most kids.

League and FA Cup this season (because we have full sides out this season)

Shane is on almost a goal every 2x 90-minutes

039 78 052.00 24 2.17 LONG
073 18 076.00 32 2.38 KITSON
161 16 166.00 63 2.63 DOYLE
032 15 034.50 13 2.65 HUNT
060 23 063.83 20 3.19 LITA


and finally, Lita? Long is on four more Reading goals from 2/3 the starts, or 1,000 minutes less on the pitch

039 78 052.00 24 2.17 LONG
060 23 063.83 20 3.19 LITA

[Hoop Blah]

Never been his biggest fan, but fair play to him, his current form infront of goal is far outweighing the deficiences in other parts of his game.

I still don't think he's godo enough to be first choice in a good side, but much like Church, he'll have to do for us right now.

[Sarah Star]

I see Long and Mills made it onto Garth Crooks's "Team of the Week" squad along with Kevin Doyle and Nicky Shorey.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 631245.stm

[Forbury Lion]

He's still shit.

Agreed, can't score for toffee and that Jimmy Kebe is rubbish too. All he ever does is fall over.

[Snowball]

Would love to know what Mac is saying to Kebe
but he is hitting the ball harder, and on target

[Maguire]

Would love to know what Mac is saying to Kebe
but he is hitting the ball harder, and on target

"Jimmy, hit the ball harder, and on target"

[Baines]

Excellent work by Long in the buildup to the first goal, losing his marker and getting himself in position for the flick on.

[Snowball]

Would love to know what Mac is saying to Kebe
but he is hitting the ball harder, and on target

"Jimmy, hit the ball harder, and on target"

Oh, I Seee...

Ingi, win every header, don't give away penalties, be 20% faster.

Bertie, stop all crosses.

Rasiak, jump higher, win all the headers, score a hat-trick every game.

Got it! This "manager" stuff is easy, innit?

[Royal_Delight]

Would love to know what Mac is saying to Kebe
but he is hitting the ball harder, and on target

"Jimmy, hit the ball harder, and on target"

Oh, I Seee...

Ingi, win every header, don't give away penalties, be 20% faster.

Bertie, stop all crosses.

Rasiak, jump higher, win all the headers, score a hat-trick every game.

Got it! This "manager" stuff is easy, innit?

Considering to be the replacement for McDermott Snowball? With your great stats, great eye for talent, reading of the game and with you coming on the cheap I am sure Madejski can offer you the job.

[Snowball]

Mac Loves Shane therefore Mac is a God

[Jeffers217]

I just think this is a testiment to Maccy D managed to turn round players that the fans thought were utter pants into decent players- Long, Howard, Kebe, Church. I've never been a Long fan and would be disappointed if we started next season with Long, Church and Rasiak as our strikers as bar Church I don't think there's a great deal of potential there. But fair play to Shane, he's playing to his strengths and would be happy to see him keep proving me wrong

[readingbedding]

Shane Long has got himself fit and he's playing very well for us.
Had a very good game for us yesterday.

[Ark Royal]

I was a big Shlong critic earlier this season, but he has come on a ton since Rodgers left. Stronger, leaner and beginning to acquire the knack of being in the right place at the right time. I loved the little delay in the timing of the run into the box yesterday for the second, which was wonderfully constructed by Sigs and Kebe. Kudos to Kebe as well - another player I was slagging off as pointless and has been a revelation since BMcD took charge.

[brendywendy]

shane long
theres only one shane long
hes only got one song
hes got a massive dong

[papereyes]

A lalalalalong
A lalalalalong
A lalalalalong long long long

THIS

[Sarah Star]

shane long
theres only one shane long
hes only got one song
hes got a massive dong

That just seems so wrong in every respect

[Rex]

Have you taken a peek Sarah.

[Sarah Star]

I know for a fact he's got at least two songs... though I can't actually vouch for his "dong".