Shane Long

Interesting piece that nicely summarises Shane's role and status at Saints with the use of some good statistics.

https://www.whoscored.com/Articles/...s-Star-Quality-But-Remains-Key-Saints-Regular


Thoughts?


DTLW

 

Anyone remember the poster 'Ashamed of Long'?

 

Long is a game changer....he scares the opposition with his pace and increases opportunities for others. I'm not surprised by the stats.

 

I'd start him down the middle ahead of Pelle every time.

 

Shane is proof that stats aren't always the answer. What stat could possibly show his ability to frighten the opposition's defence and get them so on edge that they leave space for other players in their desperate attempts not to be outrun by him?

Vin

 

Like a lot of others, knew he'd do well. When we signed him 12M was the new 8M, people just needed to adapt to the figures. This has been his most prolific season as well, much more to come I reckon. How he gets up after some of the challenges beggars belief, whats the opposite to glass ankles? Key player for me.

 

We look so much better in attack when shane long is playing.love the fact that he never gives up.on current form he would be in my starting eleven without a doubt

 

We could be 4 up with 1 minute to play and he would still chase every single ball into every corner..........vital,vital player for us.
The Irish Messi.

 

Balls of steel?

 

He is a good player

 

On the contrary, that article illustrated how stats can be used to show Long's impact on the team.

 

A hero for both club and country

 

Likewise, and I wanted him to start for quite some time before he got much of a look in. He's by no means a perfect striker, but he's the perfect striker for a club lacking such.

 

Watch a selection of our goals and you will often see our Duracell bunny in the lead up. He catches everyone out and mesmerises the opposition. Love the guy.

 

And I'd start Pelle up top with Long in a free role either playing off him or in a three behind him; probably not every time though.

 

Pelle is on form...Ron will pick him for every game now.

 

He will for sure and he is in a good vein of goal scoring. For Villa though, I think they'd be ok with balls lumped into Pelle. They'd be ripped apart by a hard working speed demon though. This won't happen, but if it was me picking the team for tomorrow against Villa, I'd go with this up front:

. . .............Long................

Tadic.........Davis........Mane

 

I've been a long term fan of Long.. even whilst playing for reading. I wanted us to sign him, but west Bromwich lure was too much.

He has improved a lot this season and will continue to do so, like every player we bring in bar Gaston.

I think the first thing after tying down koeman is giving Shane a new 4yr deal. He is key for us.

 

The form they're in, I think they'd be petrified if we brought back Mayuka.

Though the old Saint in me fears these games where by any token we should win.

 

It's nice that he's supported you for so long SF86!