This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
After having his summer of football disrupted due to a hamstring injury, which forced him out of the Republic of Ireland’s EURO 2020 qualifiers against Denmark and Gibraltar, Shane Long had work to do.
The former Reading, West Brom and Hull forward had to work hard to get back up to speed, while he also saw the Saints part with £15m when bringing another striker in Che Adams to St Mary’s, to provide even more competition for Long as well as Danny Ings and Michael Obafemi.
However, after a slow beginning to the season – in which he didn’t start any of Southampton’s first seven Premier League fixtures until the tie against Chelsea on matchday eight – the 32-year-old is making his way back into form and has become somewhat of an unsung hero in recent weeks.
Always a willing runner, Long’s energy and determination to chase every ball has seen the Saints turn a corner in recent weeks, winning two and drawing one of their last four games.
It was Long’s commanding leap and flicked header than allowed Ryan Bertrand to prod home for what turned out to be the winning goal against Norwich recently – he credits his jumping skills to his days as an all-round athlete in his younger years.
“As a kid I did every sport you can think of and athletics was a big part of that,” continues Long, who also credits that multi-sport background for the gravity-defying header that set up Ryan Bertrand’s winning goal against Norwich (a goal that was particularly satisfying for being conceived and practised in training).”
Long managed his first 90 minutes of the campaign last time out against Newcastle, a game that the Saints were unlucky to lose, and it is his impressive aerial ability that separates him from Obafemi, a young player who does not quite have the same leap on him.
West Ham will presumably be bringing a committed, determined game to St Mary’s on Saturday evening, and Long’s never-say-die attitude will be needed against a side who could reportedly be playing for their manager’s future.
Having worked so hard to get back into the fold, Long deserves even more chances from the first whistle, starting with the game against the Hammers.
In other news, a woeful Southampton trend would continue if January loan exit for this player happened…