Shane Long

[winchester_royal]

thought he did ok. got up well in the air. missed a couple of half chances - and should have gone for that mother of all volleys - but tried to control it and didnt. still better than Lita I reckon

Like I said, I rate him, and I think once he gets a run in the team he'll bang in the goals. But Long wasn't bad today, and he has come in for alot of unfair critiscism.

[Cookie]

Before I say this, I should say that I don't know what team orders were today.

But Shane didn't look like he could be arsed!

PS. At the Fan's Forum Coppell said that for Shane this has to be a season where he's more than a sub. He needs to claim a regular starting place.

[The whole year inn]

What is this obsession with him?

3 years and counting. Still yet to produce. If only Simon Cox had the same chances this guy has had.

[Denver Royal]

Shane Long should have gone out on loan for a season to the lower divisions...both for his development, and for us to see what he could do.

Instead, we have suffered his learning curve.

We are questioning his credentials in the Championship...and yet we played him in the Premiership when we were trying to stay up? Oops....

[Ruud Van Kitson]

shane long could have easily scored the goals that doyle had scored today. You cant put it down to doyle's positioning. If it was that exceptional, he'd have scored more in the last 20. Luck plays a big role.

I prefer long on the pitch to lita, he gives more and is obviously more talented than cox.

[brendywendy]

thought he was strong, and worked very hard, didnt come off again, but miles better than midweek in the cup
you just know that coppell would have seen that game as longs deserved start against Nhunt, due to good sub performance, and being in possession of the subs jersey.now hes had his chance, and lita had his in the 1st few games, hopefully now he will revert to hunt and doyle, and try lita from the bench next week.
if theyre all still here that is!

[clauski]

What is this obsession with him?

3 years and counting. Still yet to produce. If only Simon Cox had the same chances this guy has had.

Agree with the above. Let's try Noel Hunt please.

[SCIAG]

What is this obsession with him?

3 years and counting. Still yet to produce. If only Simon Cox had the same chances this guy has had.

Could say the same about Lita.

[rg6royal]

What is this obsession with him?

3 years and counting. Still yet to produce. If only Simon Cox had the same chances this guy has had.

Agree with the above. Let's try Noel Hunt please.

Should have started against Palace. Had no idea why Long started. Apparently Coppell said at the fans forum that he would. N.Hunt just had something about him that I like.

[willz_royal]

Noel has a leap like a salmon, and skill in abundance. IF he had half the chances Long has had, then he wouldve already been an established reading fc striker. Just wait and see.

Long has a crap touch and seems to let his head go down quickly. I think a loan out somewhere would be beneficial to all involved.



Jesus, did i just write a sensible post?

[papereyes]

If he doesn't do it this season, then it looks like we'll get rid.

Fair enough, says I.

[brendywendy]

If he doesn't do it this season, then it looks like we'll get rid.

Fair enough, says I.

that fits with coppells thoughts on long at the fans forum
"he needs to do it this year, or move on"
which is absolutely right and proper

[rotherwick_royal]

If he doesn't do it this season, then it looks like we'll get rid.

Fair enough, says I.

that fits with coppells thoughts on long at the fans forum
"he needs to do it this year, or move on"
which is absolutely right and proper

Long looks like a guy under pressure to me, which is the last thing you want a striker to feel like. Lack of confidence leads to lack of goals. Noel looks a player with the belief he'll score, which is what you need from a striker.

[Maguire]

Can anyone honestly see Long scoring 10-15 goals this season?

I'd be delighted if he did, but I just don't think he's a footballer really. Doyle didn't play well either, but goals are goals and he's the one who got them.

[chandog]

Can anyone honestly see Long scoring 10-15 goals this season?

I'd be delighted if he did, but I just don't think he's a footballer really. Doyle didn't play well either, but goals are goals and he's the one who got them.

can't see long starting 10-15 games this season
is clearly not good enough to lead our attack - maybe good enough to come on late in a game and make an impact
now we have Nhunt i expect long to fall back down the pecking order - maybe even below mooney but we will have to wait and see how good mooney actually is

[Sarah Star]

I think you're judging him a bit too quickly on his first league start. Yes, I was surprised to see him start above Noel Hunt on Saturday, but I wouldn't have said Noel Hunt did any better when he came on either, and I'm not sure that I'd want Lita back instead.

Only a week ago Coppell was heaping praise on Long for a Carling Cup win, he worked well with Noel Hunt. Long may surprise a few people if he starts again, but of course if he doesn't produce, he should go back to the bench.

[brendywendy]

as long as coppell keeps rotating the options till he finds his best mix, theyll all get a few chances to perform

the way it looks, transfers aside is that hunt will start with doyle, with lita on the bench next week
long and mooney in the reserves.

[ElmParker]

Long looked desperately short on confidence. A few times in the second half he was through and his shots just looked like hit and hope stuff. He tries hard, and I know his anticipation in the box has got us a few goals over the years, but his all round contribution to the team seemed poor. He doesn’t, for example, seem to know how to link play as the Blessed St. Kitson did.

Compare this with Noel Hunt – who looked confident and, above all, purposeful. Was I the only one who noticed that, for example, that on a few occasions he not only won headers from long balls but also managed to direct them to team mates? This seems to me a dramatic step forward from out previous team policy of flicking long balls on to their keeper or the corner flag.

My only complaint about Saturday’s excellent performance: several times Kebe passed when he should’ve taken the responsibility and finished himself. Other than that, delighted.

[loyalroyal4life]

Atm Long can only be described as a good impact player. From the starts he has made he has not delivered so continue leaving him to come off the bench.

[Uke]

Kebe passed when he should’ve taken the responsibility and finished himself.

Shirley, not on the football pitch! He could just have asked to be pulled off at half time instead.