stevy777_x Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 Given how he has hardly played this season and the fact that he has been less than effective when he has played, should we have just let him go in the summer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 Yeah, without a doubt. Long is a player who needs games to get up to speed, and even up to speed he doesn't score very many goals. If he's just going on as a sub here and there he's going to be as effective as Jermaine Wright coming out of retirement. So, on the basis of how we are using him, then yes - a total mistake and a real waste of 2 years wages. We should have let him go and invested in a young replacement, there are many players in L1/L2 who would do better than Long. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 At no point in Long's career have I thought he was an acceptable Premier League player. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Corbyn Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 9 minutes ago, Lighthouse said: At no point in Long's career have I thought he was an acceptable Premier League player. During that last half year of Koeman's reign, alongside Mane, he was excellent. He's been a decent team player at times as a support for a much better player, but agree I think his time is done. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noodles34 Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 It must be a coincidence how players turn up for the show just when their contracts are up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 (edited) Fringe player that doesn’t appear to be the sort to make waves when left out, who gives his all, is still quickish, strong, gets about and can play up top or wide. Are people really expecting our squad players to be much better. You can’t just fill the bench with promising nippers, and for all we know he could be a decent role model in training and around the club. He hasn’t really done a lot because he has only had a dozen or so minutes here and there. He’s not taking the piss. So, no, not a mistake. . Edited 30 November, 2020 by Lord Duckhunter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusic Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 (edited) Definitely a mistake, we should have offered one year and if he didnt agree then let him go. However, it was all decided at a time when Adams looked to be a mistake and Long was a starting player. He is probably on good money so will be hard to shift in the summer, aside from a heavily subsidised loan. Doesnt help that he is poor from the bench, he probably needs a run of starts to find some form and he won't get that. Edited 30 November, 2020 by Dusic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 30 minutes ago, Lighthouse said: At no point in Long's career have I thought he was an acceptable Premier League player. Not even when he scored 10 goals in 28 games in 2015/16? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 7 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said: Not even when he scored 10 goals in 28 games in 2015/16? No. In his best season he achieved mediocrity, playing in the best, most creative side we’ve ever put out in the Premier League. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 Did he not take a pay cut? Accepted he won't be playing that much, his family are happy here and that he's retiring afterwards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toussaint Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 (edited) I have no idea, I have always liked him. He looks like not playing is impeding his fitness and speed which was always his greatest asset. When he does come on it's normally when the game is at a stage when we have already ceased to be an attacking threat, its not like he's getting service and wasting chances, he spends what little time he gets he spends chasing lost causes. PS, yes, one year with an option to extend would have been better. Edited 30 November, 2020 by Toussaint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 I wonder if they would have given him a new deal had the Walcott season long loan happened earlier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the saint in winchester Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 Hmm, I think you all might want to read and consider this article: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1240911/Southampton-news-Danny-Ings-Shane-Long-new-contract-Premier-League Danny Ings stated he liked to have Shane partner him as he created the space for Danny. And at a time when we are looking for Danny to extend his contract, then his words went a long way. Yes, as it has turned out, Che has come good, become the regular choice and Long has only been required to give us 10 minutes from the bench. And our style has changed. We are now more possession based with Danny and Che coming back to midfield to keep possession, whereas the way to use Long is ball over the top for him to run on to. We just don't do that recently. There's no 'outball' football. We caress it 10 yards top trying to move up the pitch while retaining possession. Was it a mistake to extend Shane's contract? In hindsight, yes. But only in hindsight. He is the modern day Brett Ormerod to James Beattie. Time will tell whether Shane looks to move down to Championship to become a regular first teamer, or accepts the fact he is no longer first choice and happiness off the pitch means he accepts the situation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickles Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 Yes very much so.Has had one really good season with us and rest of the time to be blunt has been pretty awful imo. Seems like a nice guy but really not up to prem level anymore. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Lion Tamer Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 2 hours ago, the saint in winchester said: Hmm, I think you all might want to read and consider this article: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1240911/Southampton-news-Danny-Ings-Shane-Long-new-contract-Premier-League Danny Ings stated he liked to have Shane partner him as he created the space for Danny. And at a time when we are looking for Danny to extend his contract, then his words went a long way. Yes, as it has turned out, Che has come good, become the regular choice and Long has only been required to give us 10 minutes from the bench. And our style has changed. We are now more possession based with Danny and Che coming back to midfield to keep possession, whereas the way to use Long is ball over the top for him to run on to. We just don't do that recently. There's no 'outball' football. We caress it 10 yards top trying to move up the pitch while retaining possession. Was it a mistake to extend Shane's contract? In hindsight, yes. But only in hindsight. He is the modern day Brett Ormerod to James Beattie. Time will tell whether Shane looks to move down to Championship to become a regular first teamer, or accepts the fact he is no longer first choice and happiness off the pitch means he accepts the situation. This is exactly right. It was a tough call but at that time it was reasonable given that we'd have had to spend money to find a replacement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skintsaint Posted 30 November, 2020 Share Posted 30 November, 2020 Hard to come on each time when the team has stopped creating chances/playing forwards. Saying that he looks a bit slower these days and less 'hassle-ly' for defenders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzmeister Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 I think it has been said in the past he is one of those who is good around the dressing room and supports the younger player. Whilst not a starter (and should only be on the fringes) that can be a massive bonus to team spirit and also be the difference to a few more points over a season. I remember when SKD was at the end of his career and not playing he still had a contract extension for his dressing room contribution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 Was a reasonable decision at the time. I imagine his experience and attitude are also useful behind the scenes. Players can have other positive influences within a club besides what happens on the pitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 "Was it a mistake?" - what a load of rubbish. Of course it was not a mistake, the guy is a decent, very experienced pro who helps the younger players whilst also offering experienced back up in a couple of positions. The same people who are saying "it's a mistake" would no doubt be the first to moan at a player not being loyal and moving on to get a better contract at a bigger club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archers Road Stand Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 I'm pretty sure I heard the commentator say he hasn't scored off the bench for 50odd games when he came on on Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatch Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 Oppositions best defender every time he comes on. He breaks up more of our attacks then any of their defenders could hope for with his petty fouls and offsides. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 1 hour ago, Patrick Bateman said: "Was it a mistake?" - what a load of rubbish. Of course it was not a mistake, the guy is a decent, very experienced pro who helps the younger players whilst also offering experienced back up in a couple of positions. The same people who are saying "it's a mistake" would no doubt be the first to moan at a player not being loyal and moving on to get a better contract at a bigger club. What is Long supposed to be teaching our young players, that Ings and all our coaches can’t? And what evidence do you have for any of that. I think it was a mistake and have never once moaned about loyalty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 53 minutes ago, Archers Road Stand said: I'm pretty sure I heard the commentator say he hasn't scored off the bench for 50odd games when he came on on Sunday. I’m sure that’s true but in most cases he is brought on late in the game so expecting him to suddenly score when the others haven’t all game is over optimistic. We don’t know what instructions he has been given either. I think he has a useful role to play but emergency goal score is probably not one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Patrick Bateman said: "Was it a mistake?" - what a load of rubbish. Of course it was not a mistake, the guy is a decent, very experienced pro who helps the younger players whilst also offering experienced back up in a couple of positions. The same people who are saying "it's a mistake" would no doubt be the first to moan at a player not being loyal and moving on to get a better contract at a bigger club. He's a nice lad, good around the dressing room and a popular guy - no doubts about that. But are those reasons alone enough to offer him a 2 year deal on probably 50k a week? We could have re-employed him as a player liaison officer. He is not a very good player, but in terms of a goal scorer (what he's part of the squad to do) he is diabolical and always has been. One good season in the Champ for Reading, but other than that he's missed more sitters than scored actual goals. No problems with loyalty, but what are we keeping him around for? It's certainly not footballing ability or what he can offer us at the top end. Edited 1 December, 2020 by S-Clarke 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nta786 Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 Perhaps the U23 game the other evening is proof as to why Tella/N'lundulu didn't come on? I didn't watch the Brighton U23 game of course so correct me if I am wrong, but if they couldn't manage to score against that defence then would they really stand a chance against Utd on Sunday? Ralph of course sees Shane day in day out. As a club, and given how tight our finances are, could we have done better than Shane Long in the transfer market i.e. find a loan player on £50k a week who is better than him? I personally would have liked the club to have taken a gamble; to release him and look for someone else in the loan market; but I know there was a bit of sentiment in the contract as he was settled down south and really wanted to stay here. For me, whether it was a mistake or not to give him a new contract purely depends on how much he is on per week. At £20k I would have been fine, at £50k a week I am not so sure, and particularly for 2 years because he isn't giving us the output. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dobbo Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 19 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said: Fringe player that doesn’t appear to be the sort to make waves when left out, who gives his all, is still quickish, strong, gets about and can play up top or wide. Are people really expecting our squad players to be much better. You can’t just fill the bench with promising nippers, and for all we know he could be a decent role model in training and around the club. He hasn’t really done a lot because he has only had a dozen or so minutes here and there. He’s not taking the piss. So, no, not a mistake. . This 100% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 20 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said: Fringe player that doesn’t appear to be the sort to make waves when left out, who gives his all, is still quickish, strong, gets about and can play up top or wide. Are people really expecting our squad players to be much better. You can’t just fill the bench with promising nippers, and for all we know he could be a decent role model in training and around the club. He hasn’t really done a lot because he has only had a dozen or so minutes here and there. He’s not taking the piss. So, no, not a mistake. . Yep, agree with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKD Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 21 hours ago, Master Bates said: Did he not take a pay cut? Accepted he won't be playing that much, his family are happy here and that he's retiring afterwards? As I understand it, Yep. He’s also had a couple of opportunities to leave, but is settled down here. Id rather have a Long in the squad and around the training ground, with a professional hardworking attitude and wanting to play for club rather than someone like Obafemi or Valery who’s attitude is disgusting for someone who hasn’t achieved (and won’t ever) in the game. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 21 minutes ago, LeG said: Keeping an eye on Reading this season. Reckon Shane will go there and we will get some £. They'd need promotion to get anywhere near his current wages, unless massively subsidised by Saints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKD Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 4 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said: They'd need promotion to get anywhere near his current wages, unless massively subsidised by Saints. Know his current wage package and what he’s willing to accept, do you Matthew? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 (edited) 8 minutes ago, SKD said: Know his current wage package and what he’s willing to accept, do you Matthew? It isn't an unusual position to think a squad player for Saints will be far above that of Reading's budget. This is a Championship Reading without parachute payments and a wage bill of £41m which is tiny compared to Saints but massive and unsustainable considering their income. Edited 1 December, 2020 by Matthew Le God Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tajjuk Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 1 year no, 2 year probably yes. Also depends on the wages he is on, as it will be harder to shift him if he is on like £40-50k a week. Never been a convincing goalscorer, more a Heskey type who can unsettle opposition defences, win headers etc. and to give him some benefit of the doubt difficult to expect much of him in 10 minute cameos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baird of the land Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 Definitely a mistake. Guessing he wouldn’t have signed a one year deal which makes it look worse. Still at time I assume it was less risky decision than letting him go,given that then Adams hadn’t yet kicked into gear and he’d been starting alongside ings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verlaine1979 Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 He's crap, has always been crap and is an incredibly frustrating player to watch, as his boot seems to be where chances go to die. As for being bigged up by his teammates, it's hardly likely that Ings would do an interview stating that he'd like to play with a better partner who could create chances for him with, y'know, accurate passes and such, rather than just by allegedly scaring defenders so much that they forget that Ings is on the pitch. As someone said above, at £50k per week for two years, I'd much rather the club had taken a punt on an unknown quantity from another league, rather than lumping it on the known quantity of no goals whatsoever. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabrice29 Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 Some short memories here. Might not be an amazing player but at the time of the contract and times last year when Adams wasn't firing he was forming a pretty good partnership with Ings which allowed Ings to prosper. Adams took his chance when he got it again and we haven't looked back but the reason the contract happened was because he earn't it through his contributions. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verlaine1979 Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 36 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said: Some short memories here. Might not be an amazing player but at the time of the contract and times last year when Adams wasn't firing he was forming a pretty good partnership with Ings which allowed Ings to prosper. Adams took his chance when he got it again and we haven't looked back but the reason the contract happened was because he earn't it through his contributions. As above, this is BS. Ings prospered because he's a technically good footballer with extremely good finishing. Long was just another body on the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danjosaint Posted 1 December, 2020 Share Posted 1 December, 2020 Would rather have taken a punt on Ivan toney, could poss make it in prem or may not of , for the outlay tho could have been a nice earner, if he carries on someone's going to pay £20m for him, just don't think Obafemi has future here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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