How long has Long got?

[Ian Royal]

Ain't good enough. Showed some real promise at the end of last season (finally), but done nothing since, except score a hatful against a pub team.

He's been unlucky really. Needed to go on loan years ago, and just as he might have been earning 20+ starts and getting the opportunity to crack on, we change to a system which just accentuates his flaws.

He'll be gone by the end of next July.

You do run wrong long, you do run wrong.

[Royal Lady]

Probably go in January with Marek and Kebe. Gunnar or Ingi won't go anywhere because they're always getting injured.

[strap]

Probably go in January with Marek and Kebe. Gunnar or Ingi won't go anywhere because they're always getting injured.

That only works if they are on a "pay as you play" basis. Reckon both will stay to see out their contracts as C-B cover for Mills, O'Dea and Pearce.

Marek will probably go in Jan as you say, or even before as an "emergency" loan. Kebe is certain to start every game as Lens are paying us a fee per game basis. (It was my mistake that I thought WE paid THEM £550,000 to take him off their hands. In reality they are paying us £5,000 for every start he makes for us!!! - Well there MUST be some reason he's the first name on the team sheet wek in week out It sure as hell ain;lt because of any footballing ability as we all know!?!?)

Which just leaves Cisse. Another cheap foreigner, who will doubtless be on his way out once we have an even cheaper Academy player to take his place. Although again he would be sen as C-B back-up until his contract expires.

[MalcybabyRFC]

Like Marek, Longs game hasnt suited our long ball type of play (unlike everyone else no pun intended).
Lets face it, both short arses but both with quick feet and can hold the ball up well.

What with the introduction of recent players I think he may struggle to get into this new team however I would like to see Long given a chance this season. I think a quick, pacey, prodominantly floor game would suit the little fella and allow him to grow in confidence. Lets face it he is still a young guy even compared to the rest of the team.

Longs goals when he has been given a shot has also got us out of some pickles last season especially !!!

[donface]

You do run wrong long, you do run wrong.

A quick LOLz at that.

[Devon royal]

Im afraid Shane Long will only ever be an impact player, excellent as he is at that...never going to be as good as Doyle was here...time to move on and ply his trade elsewhere maybe january he will move on , with Kebe....

[Rex]

Is this a Chinese reference.

[KC Royal]

Until the end of this season. Rodgers' will give him his fair share of chances, and if he doesn't grab the opportunity, I see him being shipped out to another Championship club who need him.

Agree, he's in the same situation as last season imo. If he doesnt score 5-10 goals i think he'll be off in the summer. When's his contract up btw? The laughable thing is he'll prob still keep getting called up by Ireland if they have any injuries up front (am expecting Noel to be ahead of him sooner rather than later).

Note - im actually a Long fan but he's been disappointing for a lot of the last 2 seasons. If he can't score goals at this level then he has no future with us. Shame, as i thought he looked a big prospect in his first 18 months or so after making his debut..

[Royalee]

Tbh, I don't think he's learnt enough and he's at that age now where it's harder to improve so I think he'll be moved on at the end of the season.

[Archies Volley II]

You do run wrong long, you do run wrong.

A quick LOLz at that.

+1 - only just read this - but it has improved my mood no end

[andrew1957]

The problem with Shane is that each season he seems to have to learn how to play all over again. Last season he was poor to start with but then became arguably our most effective player in the last 10-15 games. This season he has been disappointing again so far - seems to have lost a yard of pace and his touch has been average again.

He is a bit of an enigma really but I suspect it will be a make or break year for him. His problem is that with Rasiak here will he get the chance to prove himself?

[peterroyal76]

Long has longer than Little!

[glass half full]

I heard from Snowball that Long would score around 20 goals this season now he had the number 9 shirt

that going to be 1 every 2 games now

Why not quote ALL I said? I said he'd score 20 or thereabouts if he was a regular STARTER

I have also said he WOULDN'T be likely to start in a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 and seems to be suited to 4-2-2

I also said that in a 4-5-1/4-3-3 it would be probable that Henry and Church would be ahead of him in the pecking order

3 players sent off?

[Terminal Boardom]

Tbh, I don't think he's learnt enough and he's at that age now where it's harder to improve so I think he'll be moved on at the end of the season.

You think that he will show enough to last that long?

[Mad Dog's Ghost]

Great attributes. Quick, good in the air, good attitude, cheap .. but sadly touch is not good enough for this level really. He's done really well given that he was a very cheap import's mate.

I hope he proves me wrong because he seems to be one of the rare good guys in football.

[Royalee]

Tbh, I don't think he's learnt enough and he's at that age now where it's harder to improve so I think he'll be moved on at the end of the season.

You think that he will show enough to last that long?

I think Rodgers'll give him a few more chances as he's still young compared to Rosenior and Harper, etc who he's let go. He's worth having for the time being as an impact player so I can't see him going in January when we lack his kind up front - at the end of the season we'll be in a stronger position as a club to attract players once Rodgers' team takes shape and I expect we'll change him for a better player then.

[I was there at Elm Park]

Tbh, I don't think he's learnt enough and he's at that age now where it's harder to improve so I think he'll be moved on at the end of the season.

You think that he will show enough to last that long?

I think Rodgers'll give him a few more chances as he's still young compared to Rosenior and Harper, etc who he's let go. He's worth having for the time being as an impact player so I can't see him going in January when we lack his kind up front - at the end of the season we'll be in a stronger position as a club to attract players once Rodgers' team takes shape and I expect we'll change him for a better player then.

Agree completely.

[Ryn]

He needs to play in a 4-4-2 alongside a big man like Rasiak. Let Long do the running around, picking up the flick ons from the target man.

Of course we would need some proper wingers to play like that.

[Elm Park Old Boy]

Still in the Ireland squad, mind.

[Old Biscuitman]

To Bristol Rovers in January. The good turn they did in selling Jamie Cureton to us at a knock-down price is still remembered by both clubs. And for the first time in years Rovers are off to a good start.