Shane Long - in defence!

[Radders]

Did Jimmy Quinn play in defense when required? He was probably our best goalkeeper for a while

[Fezza]

Not a thread in defence of his ability I promise!

I have noticed in the games that shane has played this season that he is a real asset when defending corners, am I mad or is this the case?

If I am right are there many cases of goal shy centre forwards who have moved to positions in the centre of defence or defencive midfield. Obviously the uuuubbbbeeeerrrr kunt Alan Smith comes to mind, are there any others?

Could this be an option for Shane if goal scoring isn't his thing?

Needless to say I am impressed with his current (improved) work ethic.

What has the world come to.

Pondering strange thoughts on a discussion forum, odd I know.

[papereyes]

Is Shane Long actually getting into something approaching form?

If we can get a few goals out of him and Church, given that Rasiak seems the worst affected by Rodgers' departure, then we have a chance.

[Wycombe Royal]

Is Shane Long actually getting into something approaching form?

I think we are seeing quite a few players form improve. Maybe they want to play for BM and didn't get on with Rodgers too well.........

[Terminal Boardom]

Any possibility that training has a more fitness based approach?

[rabidbee]

For a short guy, Long is pretty good in the air. If he could only get better at making his flick-ons go near his strike partner - and that is as much about not having a stable, consistent line-up as anything - he'd be a pretty good forward.

Not a striker, but a forward.

[Maguire]

Probably the most notable for me was Paul Warhurst when he was at Sheffield Wednesday. Signed as a defender then reverted to an emergency striker & ended up getting selected by England as a striker.

This is the other way round though

[Maguire]

Is Shane Long actually getting into something approaching form?

No, he's still rubbish.

[papereyes]

Oh come on, you have to understand I share a deep affinity for a chubby bloke that works hard but really can't finish.

[BR2]

Is Shane Long actually getting into something approaching form?

No, he's still rubbish.

With the much valued (?) London Irish connection is it now compulsory to have one Irishman in the first team squad?
With Hunt,Doyle,Bennett and Mooney no longer around the poor lad is probably lonely.

[Ian Royal]

For a short guy, Long is pretty good in the air. If he could only get better at making his flick-ons go near his strike partner - and that is as much about not having a stable, consistent line-up as anything - he'd be a pretty good forward.

Not a striker, but a forward.

I think Long will score if you attacki quickly from wide and put balls in at around head height for him to run onto. I don't think he's that good at anything else productive in the air, yes he can win headers, but I don't think it's a partnership thing that he doesn't find anyone with them.

[Ryn]

That would involve having effective wingers though Ian, and playing Steve Coppell-esque football.

Shane Long did play reasonably well under that style of football, hopefully we can move back to it under MaccyD and get the best out of him.

[RG30]

Despite his bad miss in the 2nd half last week at Sheff Utd, I thought he had a half decent game and he got his goal Saturday which was good for him. He definetely looks like he shed a few pounds, which probably helped with his suspension he had earlier in the season.

[warrpp]

defenders that have converted to strikers.....

ian marshall (oldham)....peter swan (burnley)

[howser]

[quote="warrpp"]defenders that have converted to strikers.....

ian marshall (oldham)....peter swan (burnley)[/quote]

I'm sure Chris Sutton also went the defender to Striker route while he was at Norwich ??

[Geekins]

Oh come on, you have to understand I share a deep affinity for a chubby bloke that works hard but really can't finish.

Looks like everyone missed this comment so BUMP!

[rabidbee]

That would involve having effective wingers though Ian, and playing Steve Coppell-esque football.

If we were pinging in more crosses from the corners, Rasiak would score most games I reckon, too.

[Henleyensian]

I seem to remember that when he was about 14, Shane was a junior high-jump champion in Ireland. The height he gets in his jumps has been noticeable ever since he has been at the club; the first goal he got for us at Derby County was a great leap!

[brendywendy]

hes just getting back to full fitness, and getting game time, and surprise surprise - he starts banging them in.
his touch looks to have improved somewhat, hes still missing with half his chances, but looks much improved from when he played under rodgers IMO

keep it up shanus o'long

[towserSL2crew]

Not long back , getting back to full fitness , got the pen at Anfield scored the winner at Anfield , scored the winner last week.......get off his back and pick in some other fckur you mongs.