by Snowball » 21 Nov 2010 14:02
by Wycombe Royal » 21 Nov 2010 14:09
by Maguire » 21 Nov 2010 14:28
Tony Le Mesmer So, Long won us another "Penalty" today? Im losing count. 1 poor decision away from a match winning performance.
by Snowball » 21 Nov 2010 14:29
by Woodcote Royal » 21 Nov 2010 14:33
IrishIndendent OR over two years, Giovanni Trapattoni has been searching for a striking alternative to Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle. Now it appears as though the answer was sitting there the whole time.
By now, Shane Long would be qualified enough to publish a Christmas stocking filler describing the view from the substitutes' benches in a variety of different grounds around Europe.
When available, the Reading striker is an ever-present in the Italian's squad selections. He was an extra in the World Cup qualifying campaign, a figure in a tracksuit who watched as individuals like Caleb Folan and Leon Best were promoted into big games, while he jostled for a place in the dugout.
All of a sudden, Long is looking like a different player for Ireland this autumn. His impressive substitute appearance against Russia last month was followed by a starring role in the draw with Slovakia in Zilina and another promising outing in the otherwise disappointing defeat to Norway on Wednesday night.
The plaudits have rained in from every direction, and there's a movement forming which argues that, if Keane remains in the background at Spurs, then perhaps it is time for Long to be promoted to the starting XI.
It's hard to imagine Trapattoni contemplating that, but there's one question that remains outstanding. On this evidence, why is Long still playing in the Championship? And why is there no speculation linking him with a move to the top flight?
It might come as a surprise to those who have been wowed by the 23-year-old's recent outings for his country that, at Reading, the fans are still unsure about the merits of the ex-Cork City striker.
On one of the most popular fan forums, an irate poster started a thread named, 'Long -- Time To Go' in frustration after the 1-0 defeat to Bristol City last month. As of yesterday, there was over 1,500 messages in response and no clear consensus.
Clearly, it's a divisive argument.
The thrust of the criticism is that while he may be a hard worker, his strike rate is below par. In short, he needs too many chances to score, and is not the man to lead the Royals back to the top division.
Long has started 16 games for Brian McDermott's side this year and scored four goals. But three of those came from the penalty spot; his calm spot-kick conversion for Ireland the other night demonstrated his comfort in that department. The return from open play is seized upon by his detractors.
In truth, the last couple of years have been slightly unusual for Long. After developing an effective super-sub reputation when Steve Coppell brought Reading to the Premier League, a change of personnel thrust responsibility upon his shoulders. When Kevin Doyle set sail for Wolves, Long started the 2009/10 campaign as favourite to be the Championship's top scorer with a new boss in Brendan Rodgers.
announced
Through a combination of injury and loss of form, he didn't score a goal until January, with Rodgers already having got the bullet. Long used to lodge with the new manager McDermott -- who had championed his recruitment in the first place -- and got off the mark with a strike that helped knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup.
It was a mixed bag for the rest of the campaign, with a brace against Aston Villa proving again that he can trouble elite defenders. But the flip side was a moderate total in the league -- hence the scepticism from the Madejski Stadium patrons carrying over into this campaign.
Earlier this month -- just a few weeks after brilliantly deputising for Doyle in Zilina -- he was booed by a section of Reading fans when he was replaced during a Championship meeting with Doncaster.
"Shane is still learning," said McDermott, in his defence. "But over the years, fans do sometimes give players a tough time. Shane had a difficult period with injuries but I know once he gets a few more goals, the fans will be on his side. The fact is we need fans to help him rather than go the other way. Confidence is a major factor in football, and every player is affected by it."
In the days after the Doncaster heckles, the club announced that Long had signed a new contract until 2012. He enjoys a good standard of living in Berkshire, and is believed to earn in the region of £15,000 a week, a hangover from the Premier League stint. Having become a father in the past year, his situation has changed off the pitch. Now, Irish fans are starting to see a growing maturity when he crosses the white line.
As it happens, there were parallels between his Irish outing during week and his previous club appearance for Reading in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Norwich. He was a bustling presence in that game and was on the mark with a penalty before missing a gilt-edged chance to claim three points.
Long was superb against Norway, yet his composure in front of goal let him down with Ireland on top in the second half. Considering he made the chances through his own endeavour, the profligacy was forgiven.
The ideal scenario is that the morale boost from his Irish displays propels the ex-Tipperary minor hurler to the next level. Certainly, there's no doubting his ability to make it there, but it won't happen until he finds the consistency to match the potential.
Irish Independent
by Victor Meldrew » 21 Nov 2010 14:39
by cmonurz » 21 Nov 2010 14:39
Snowballcmonurz
What's up? Don't like me using the stats you use?
No I just don't like YOU.
The last few days the conversation on this thread was civil and I even got PMs about it. You're like a sad old poisoned dwarf. I bet you were PRAYING Long wouldn't score, so you could slither back in here and try to cause more discord.
by skipper » 21 Nov 2010 14:41
"A Reading Career montage of Shane Long"
by Stranded » 21 Nov 2010 14:44
Snowball Jay Bothroyd matures into deadly striker
Age 19 33 Appearances = 03 Goals = 1 in 11.0 Appearances Coventry 2001-02
Age 20 39 Appearances = 11 Goals = 1 in 03.5 Appearances Coventry 2002-03
Age 21 28 Appearances = 05 Goals = 1 in 05.6 Appearances Pergugia
Age 22 11 Appearances = 01 Goals = 1 in 11.0 Appearances Blackburn
Age 23 18 Appearances = 02 Goals = 1 in 09.0 Appearances Charlton
Age 24 33 Appearances = 09 Goals = 1 in 03.7 Appearances Wolves 2006-7
Age 25 24 Appearances = 04 Goals = 1 in 06.0 Appearances Wolves 2007-8
Age 25 04 Appearances = 00 Goals = 0 in 00.0 Appearances Stoke
Age 26 44 Appearances = 12 Goals = 1 in 03.7 Appearances Cardiff 2008-09
Age 27 45 Appearances = 13 Goals = 1 in 03.5 Appearances Cardiff 2009-10
Age 28 17 Appearances = 15 Goals = 1 in 01.1 Appearances Cardiff 2010-11
A promising Arsenal trainee, Bothroyd did well in his second season at Coventry
but then managed just 21 goals in about five seasons. But when he hit 26 he started
to find the net more regularly, was better at 27 and even better the season after
Now at 28 is lethal and top of the goal-scoring charts.
by Woodcote Royal » 21 Nov 2010 14:44
Victor Meldrew Woodcote,
There is international football.........................and then there is Ireland,a country for whom Kevin Kilbane has 100 caps.
That says it all really.
by Snowball » 21 Nov 2010 14:52
Wycombe Royal Noel Hunt was severealy disrupted by injuries at Dunfermline and nearly half of his 80 league appearances (38 to be exact) were as a substitute.
by Snowball » 21 Nov 2010 14:56
cmonurz
I'll leave you to your thread now - you should read the last few pages and realise that you are only finding it more civil because in the main people have stopped bothering to disagree with you.
by cmonurz » 21 Nov 2010 14:59
Snowballcmonurz
I'll leave you to your thread now - you should read the last few pages and realise that you are only finding it more civil because in the main people have stopped bothering to disagree with you.
Is that like the other time you "left"?
by Snowball » 21 Nov 2010 15:00
Stranded
Isn't it also possible that at 26 he also found a settled club, and wasn't moving from pillar to post as he had done previously, thus seeing his performances improve? If hr'd had that earlier in his career then he may well have done much, much better in his career.
by Snowball » 21 Nov 2010 15:00
cmonurz
Believe it or not I thought that having seen the tone of the thread change, I could return and post my opinion without getting another dig from you. Sadly not.
by Victor Meldrew » 21 Nov 2010 15:01
by cmonurz » 21 Nov 2010 15:03
by Stranded » 21 Nov 2010 15:10
SnowballStranded
Isn't it also possible that at 26 he also found a settled club, and wasn't moving from pillar to post as he had done previously, thus seeing his performances improve? If hr'd had that earlier in his career then he may well have done much, much better in his career.
Of course. It's also possible that finally he was given a regular run of starts and significant pitch-time.
It's ALSO possible that he matured physically as he reached his 26th birthday
It's also possible that he matured MENTALLY as he reached his 26th birthday
it's also possible that he began to use the experience gained between 19 and 26
These are MORE likely because it's known that players peak around 26-27 (CBs even later)
as is shown by the ages of players in the Actim List
by Victor Meldrew » 21 Nov 2010 15:11
by Snowball » 21 Nov 2010 15:55
cmonurz Do you think Rooney will have a better season at 26/27 than he had in 09-10 for United?
At 26/27 will Ronaldo beat his 40-odd goals for United in 08-09? There's no hard and fast rule, and plenty of examples such as the above to the contrary.
As for my presence on this thread, I'll post on it when I please, but want I won't be doing is bothering to reply when you challenge anything I post. I only get abuse for it.
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