Ian RoyalPlatypuss Long definitely needs to do a lot more learning regarding the art of the striker - the kind of learning you can only get through starting in a decent run of games. He really won't continue to develop much more without it.
The problem is he's been diabolical when starting and we don't have the time to let him bed in and improve. We need to be scoring and winning week in week out.
Whilst I think he's a useful sub he isn't an impact sub. And his appearances to goals show it.
Long: 2005/6 - 1(10) - 3, 2006/7 - 9(12) - 2, 2007/8 - 7(22) - 3, 2008/9 - 2(15) - 1.
Ok so it looks ok in the first two seasons, but since then he's had as many if not many more sub appearances in a season and has done no better and thats with quite a few starts in the Prem. Ok so it's a different level of play. But unless you're saying he gets more assists than goals (which I doubt) he really isn't an impact sub.
His goal scoring record isn't great but aside from our relegation season we haven't really needed a goal scoring super-sub. Long's role(and I agree with Dr H that he's good enough to do it) is to come on and help close out games using his pace to harass and stretch defences.
I'd still like to see a "Lita" type player in the squad (though one committed to the team) that could push for a starting place should Doyle or Hunt be unavailable.