'Serious interest' in Shane Long

levraiclaret · Post by **levraiclaret** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 9:48 pm

CharlieinNewMexico wrote:S.Long, K.Long, and C.Long?

Would this make us a Long side?

EarbyClaret · Post by **EarbyClaret** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:01 pm

You sense he's about the best we can do within a reasonable budget.

Once you look at the next level of striker by PL standards, say Deeney for example, then fee and wages would seem to be beyond us.

Agree it would be evolution rather than revolution but if you look at the PL teams he's played for West Brom, Hull and Southampton he's definitely been a contributory factor in terms of keeping them in the division.

Ideally he would be an addition to the squad as we need four strikers - but he'd be a logical replacement for Gray if he goes.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:11 pm

Logical replacement?

Gray gets grief on here for not scoring enough goals.
Shane Long doesn't score more than Gray does, so he's hardly a logical replacement...

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:14 pm

jdrobbo wrote:I think he'd be a perfect fit. He's exactly the sort of player we need to enable us to make the next step up.

Agree with this. Gives us pace, aerial ability and experience. He knows the league.

I would say he is an upgrade on barnes if any comparison to any of the team.

Can play alongside gray or vokes or even barnes himself. But dont see him as a replacement for vokes or gray.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:18 pm

KefkaClaret wrote:Think this would be a terrible signing, he's no better than Gray or Vokes and he's 30. I would like us to sign players that are actually good rather than just a grafter as we already have enough of those.

I think if we are looking to evolve our style he is perfect. We are going to lose boyd and arfield. So we need to retain that graft somewhere if we are to bring in more creativity out wide.

Long would be perfect for our club. Hard worker. Experienced and already knows half of the team. Would be as seamless a signing as we could make.

SirAlec · Post by **SirAlec** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:22 pm

Probably a slight improvement on what we already have but with minimal room for improvement, and for that reason it's a no from me.

PWBFC · Post by **PWBFC** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:34 pm

jurek wrote:Two or three years ago I might have said yes to Long but not now.
Not sure his pace is that good and no better than Gray and at 30 years old
he's probably seen his best years. No resale value either.

Think there's other younger players just as pacey who might cost a bit more
but will have just as much to offer over a longer period and we'll recoup on them.

There's an article from last October from the Mirror that had him clocked as the fastest player in the Premier League.

He's also very strong in the air.

It's a yes from me.

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:59 pm

Absolute Yes from me. Think he is just the kind of forward we should be looking for. When he chose Reading over us obviously I didn't really know what kind of forward he was, but after watching him I've always thought what a handful he is (as an ex CH). again testimony for the club that we are now considered a sensible option for him - he was clearly way out of our league from any time since he joined Reading up to this last season.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 11:06 pm

I'd prefer Jay Rod but Long has always caused us problems! We'd stop that!

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 11:12 pm

Every time this guy rolls up at the Turf he has a pretty good game, I'd quite like to see him here.

JonBerro · Post by **JonBerro** » Thu Jun 01, 2017 11:40 pm

We struggle with working a 451 formation due to options up front
Long has played that role most of his career
Good signing for me

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 11:09 am

Sidney1st wrote:Logical replacement?

Gray gets grief on here for not scoring enough goals.
Shane Long doesn't score more than Gray does, so he's hardly a logical replacement...

Who keeps slagging Gray off for lack of goals Sid? His goal return was fine. People rightly slag his lack of contesting headers, first touch and always being offside but not generally lack of goals.

MiltonKeynesClaret93 · Post by **MiltonKeynesClaret93** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 11:13 am

A goal in every three games more or less for Andre this season. Not bad going for a first season I think, and not with the best of service either.

jojomk1 · Post by **jojomk1** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 11:23 am

Southampton paid around £12m for him - what would they be asking now?
Given his age there would be little or no sell on value but if it keeps us up for another season then it's good business
He has far more to offer in pace and quality than any of our current squad
If SD wants him then so do I

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 11:45 am

His average season looks to be on par with what we've already got so would be a decent replacement if one our of three is likely to leave, unsure If he's an upgrade though.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 11:50 am

Quickenthetempo wrote:Who keeps slagging Gray off for lack of goals Sid? His goal return was fine. People rightly slag his lack of contesting headers, first touch and always being offside but not generally lack of goals.

There have been plenty of comments about his lack of goals.

The same week we had people commending Vokes for getting 10 league goals and moaning about Gray getting 9...

http://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboar ... =2&t=13578" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 11:59 am

MiltonKeynesClaret93 wrote:A goal in every three games more or less for Andre this season. Not bad going for a first season I think, and not with the best of service either.

9 scored but a third of those against the outright worst team in the league really helps pads that stat out.

More accurate reflection is that he scored one or more goal in 20% of his games, so one in five.

claretdom · Post by **claretdom** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 12:04 pm

I take it all other strikers in the league played against the outright worst team in the league ?

Should we cross them off or mark down the other clubs strikers who didn't score against them ?

D8BFC · Post by **D8BFC** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 12:06 pm

How many times have we played to Gray's strengths though with the ball in front of him? I can only think of a few and i bet his conversion rate on these is up above 70%.

I do think Long and Gray up front could work - but we need 4 decent strikers to move up to the next level in this league - and Shane Long is definitely an upgrade in overall quality than what we currently have there. His pace and arial ability would push defenders back 5 yards, which in turn would really help Vokes' lack of pace at times too!

Get him signed and in!

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 12:13 pm

What's this all about Long being good in the air? He's not big, he's thin as a rake, he's never struck me as great in the air and that matches up with the stats.

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 12:27 pm

claretdom wrote:I take it all other strikers in the league played against the outright worst team in the league ?

Should we cross them off or mark down the other clubs strikers who didn't score against them ?

Just trying to represent Grey's output more accurately which is hard when trying to derive statistics from a small number like 9.

He's had a good first season in the PL but I think the '1 in 3' paints a better picture than is actually the case.

bumba · Post by **bumba** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 1:24 pm

If we did a straight swap for gray we would be having Southampton's pants down. Hopefully we sign him tho pace, power an great work rate

dpinsussex · Post by **dpinsussex** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 1:28 pm

levraiclaret wrote:Would this make us a Long side?

Or even a long ball team

ClaretAndJew · Post by **ClaretAndJew** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 1:30 pm

dpinsussex wrote:Or even a long ball team

Nothing would change then

JTClaret · Post by **JTClaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 1:35 pm

Long and Gray up front would be brilliant!!

Imagine they would frighten any defence.

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 1:44 pm

He is a decent enough player although it isn't that long ago he was well outside of our budget so not sure if it's a credible rumour.

Wouldn't mind him at all.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:10 pm

JTClaret wrote:Long and Gray up front would be brilliant!!

Imagine they would frighten any defence.

I was just about to post the same thing, some serious pace there

John Johnson 1605 · Post by **John Johnson 1605** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:12 pm

I'm doubtful. The player has turned 30, peaked as a professional footballer and had a disappointing last season. His transfer fee will be considerable, even more so the terms of his contract. I'd far rather we target young, "hungry" players with something to prove and potential profit; Trippier, Mee, Keane, Austin and Ings as examples.

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:21 pm

If we're looking at it in terms of a Gray replacement then no I wouldn't touch him given he's 30 years old and has a worse scoring rate.
If he truly is the best we can do (assuming our scouting hasn't reached overseas yet of course), then I for one would like to just keep Gray and build a midfield capable of providing consistent service

TopCat · Post by **TopCat** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 3:19 pm

Cannot understand anyone not wanting this man.
A fit for us in so many ways.

BigChaCha · Post by **BigChaCha** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 3:25 pm

The obsession on here with only buying players just out of they're nappies is a bit weird!

lanky22222 · Post by **lanky22222** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 3:58 pm

Imagine someone who could serve him through balls in a 451, and then Gray for the late stages of the game..:the amount of pace upfront would cause definite problems, would be a class signing

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:37 pm

Sidney1st wrote:There have been plenty of comments about his lack of goals.

The same week we had people commending Vokes for getting 10 league goals and moaning about Gray getting 9...

http://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboar ... =2&t=13578" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I read the first few comments on your linked topic and none slagged off his goal scoring just the bits I mentioned earlier on.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:45 pm

I'll have another look round, but there have been people whining that 9 goals isn't good enough but Vokes' 10 goals was great.

That's how stupid this forum can be in a nutshell.

taio · Post by **taio** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:52 pm

Sidney1st wrote:I'll have another look round, but there have been people whining that 9 goals isn't good enough but Vokes' 10 goals was great.

That's how stupid this forum can be in a nutshell.

Gray's goal tally last season was ok. But there's much more to it than drawing such simple comparisons when their styles and strengths are so different.

Belgianclaret · Post by **Belgianclaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:04 pm

Providing we can strengthen in other areas he would be a more than suitable replacement for Gray if you ask me.

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:18 pm

John Johnson 1605 wrote:I'm doubtful. The player has turned 30, peaked as a professional footballer and had a disappointing last season. His transfer fee will be considerable, even more so the terms of his contract. I'd far rather we target young, "hungry" players with something to prove and potential profit; Trippier, Mee, Keane, Austin and Ings as examples.

I take you point, but all of them were a level below this when they cut their teeth. Coming in at the highest level is another thing entirely.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:39 pm

I just don't see who he would be an upgrade of.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:41 pm

lanky22222 wrote:Imagine someone who could serve him through balls in a 451, and then Gray for the late stages of the game..:the amount of pace upfront would cause definite problems, would be a class signing

That player is off this summer

UTCAndrew123 · Post by **UTCAndrew123** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:08 pm

Long is class

PWBFC · Post by **PWBFC** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:12 pm

UpTheBeehole wrote:What's this all about Long being good in the air? He's not big, he's thin as a rake, he's never struck me as great in the air and that matches up with the stats.

Long's leap has always struck me as exceptional. I can recall a number of times where he's dominated our centre halves aerially.

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:18 pm

Sidney1st wrote:
That's how stupid this forum can be in a nutshell.

Actually Sid, you wouldn't need that big a nutshell.

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:42 pm

What's all this about Long coming in as a replacement for Andre Gray?

We're already currently one striker short so need someone in anyway and if Andre does leave we'll need 2 strikers in.

Hedontplayforyou · Post by **Hedontplayforyou** » Fri Jun 02, 2017 11:25 pm

I'd like to see Tammy Abraham on loan if we do decide to add another striker, and if one of our original three do leave in the summer. Long would be a decent addition, experience, speed and graft . Dyche Player

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Sat Jun 03, 2017 9:44 am

Hedontplayforyou wrote:I'd like to see Tammy Abraham on loan if we do decide to add another striker, and if one of our original three do leave in the summer. Long would be a decent addition, experience, speed and graft . Dyche Player

Going to Newcastle.