Southampton’s Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long, who was on the club’s radar last summer, could again become a target this summer according to a number of reports in the papers this week.
Last week Long came off the bench for his 20th substitute appearance of the season for the Saints. That’s more than double the number of league games which he has started. It’s telling of the role which Long has played for manager Claude Puel and left the player allegedly frustrated.
Long has been behind both Charlie Austin and Manolo Gabbiadini in the pecking order at St. Mary’s this season. The striker has been restricted to just nine Premier League starts this season but is under contract until 2020.
“We will see all this at the end of the season,” manager Claude Puel is quoted as saying by the Daily Echo.“Of course, a striker, all the players, want to play, but it’s another profile like then [Manolo] Gabbiadini for example. He has quickness and he can give other solutions.
“We will see if we have the opportunity to have a different profile striker and we will see until the end of the season and after another thing.”
“We will see at the end of the season.”
Puel was asked whether he had told Long this and replied: “It’s not the moment to speak, to have conversations about this.”
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooo
He has failed everywhere he has been . Rather have Martinez sitting on the bench . We have our fair share of losers already .
I am not as averse to him as Bubbles but would rather we go for Slimani from Leicester. Long is an underrated player a real pain for defenders and will score his share of goals, he also creates goals but again this is not a marquee signing I have a feeling he is more the chairman’s choice than a Bilic one.
If you think Shane Long is a loser you have now convinced me you are full of the proverbial bubbles.I wouldnt particularly take him if better is available but he most certainly hasnt failed everywhere he has been.
Im not being a crotchety old man but sorry bubbles what you said is tosh.
Please remind me Stan where Long has been successful in the Premiere league . Southampton haven’t scored in last 6 games I believe , Charlie Austin is injured , and Long still does not start . Defoe has probably scored more goals in each of the last 3 seasons than Long has in all 3 combined . He is a loser . Must be past your bed time I think .
Hope this isn’t the level of replacement for Carroll & Sakho. Not rubbish but not going to get you many goals.
2005–2011 Reading 174 (44) Gls
2011–2014 West Bromwich Albi 81 (19)
2014 Hull City 15 (4)
2014– Southampt 81 (18)
Republic Of Ireland 71 caps 17 Gls
Not too shabby for a loser everywhere he has been lol
Works out at about a goal every 4 games through out his career . Actually worse than I thought . A goal every 2 and a bit games is a quality striker and makes a 20 goal a season man which is what we need .
I have always liked Long throughout his career as it happens.Not sure i would sign him though 😀
Bubbles you better give the board 50 odd million of your hard earned if you want a 20 a season Prem striker.Actually few exist who do it on a regular basis.This 20 a season striker thing is all a load of b0llocks in my opinion.
Whos done it this year,Lukaku,Kane,Sanchez,Costa.Go on bubbles go grab us one of them 😁😁
Fair enough but you are missing my point . If we can’t buy a 20 goal man a 15 goal man is preferable to a 9 goal man ie .Long. We also have youngsters coming through ,Martinez for one , that are quite likely to score once every 4 games . We could / should have had Charlie Austin but super gob Sullivan ruined that . Defoe is the man for next season . Score us 15 goals and teach the youngsters how to sniff out a goal . COYI
Dont disagree about Defoe bubbles,dont know enough about Martinez to say whether he will cut it or not if im honest.
I wanted Austin as well but to be fair to Sullivan he has had a few injuries this season and only started 10 matches.We already have Poppadom and Sakof who can miss that amount of games 😁
Shane Long !, are you sure ? . Good heavens , hope we can show a bit more ambition than that . We are still waiting for Snodgrass to show up and Long is in the same mould .
West Ham shouldn’t be a club that signs LONG lost names that want to re-invent themselves . It would be like taking one step forward and two steps back .
I can see what and why Stan & Bubbles are at odds but , truthfully I can’t see how Shane Long would give us any momentum . Hoping for a short summer actually . Get a few youngsters up and running and two good signings ( whom ever they may be ? ) and bobs yer uncle , hopefully .
Note : very happy that Antonio has signed a new contract ,,, great news . We would have missed him but , now we can welcome him . A legend in the making .
It is a big problem. Even if we lash out-as on AC- there will either be the obvious problem or more likely they just won’t wanna come. Especially to a side they will see as heading for a relegation struggle. We have made it more difficult for ourselves. I think Defoe is worth a shot in the short term. It has to be take a risk on a 30+ year old or a kid ( maybe on loan). It is a b***** but there it is.
Yes Radai to be fair to DS he got some dog’s abuse last season for missing out on Austin but that looks like he did us a favour now. As fans we only tend to remember Zaza Tore type buys. Or misses like Lukaku. Some you win..
I came over all mellow after that Friday game & still not totally recovered, strange feeling. I am actually looking forward to Liverpool. Will I ever get my pessimism back- Do I need to see a doctor?
Lol dont agree with me pls 64.I dont want to start liking you you miserable git 😂😂