Does George Long have a future here?

[stringer]

He got lots on here, but not a lot at the match, did he?

Never heard much myself, other than the general abuse aimed at the shower of shite that we’d become as a team.

I remember the ironic cheers when he caught something

 

[BladeInIreland]

Never really rated George, People often forget not only did he got alot of abuse towards the end, he also got alot of support when he started up. He never pushed on and frustration set in. He's fourth choice at the moment, get some cash whilst we can and wish him luck.

 

[Chali 2na]

If he comes back and he’s any good he’s more than welcome to play, if he comes back and he’s crap then the answer would be no. Pretty simple stuff really and it’s why people are sent out on loan!

I belive he's out of contract

 

[tomtheblade]

Doesn't the club currently think very highly of Jake Eastwood, and that this is partially the reason for selling Ramsdale?

Resurgence in form and confidence at Wimbledon or not, don't see how any of that ultimately ends up with him jumping up a league or more to start for us in goal again.
It would have to be a much longer term thing for me. Sell him and consider buying back at some point in the future if he really is that good.

 

[sitwell]

There is a reason long was mocked and moore isnt. Its not rocket science

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

Never really rated George, People often forget not only did he got alot of abuse towards the end, he also got alot of support when he started up. He never pushed on and frustration set in. He's fourth choice at the moment, get some cash whilst we can and wish him luck.

Agree with that. He was never dominant or brave enough for me. However he is young and may, in time, evolve into a quality keeper. For us, and George, its time to move on, with our best wishes.

 

[Pinchy]

Keep wishing on that Star for Calamity George.

That’s a ‘no’ by the way.

 

[Houston_Blade]

I belive he's out of contract

Let him go then, but offer him a token contract so we get some cash for him.

 

[alcoblade]

I remember the ironic cheers when he caught something

Yes, on the odd occasion after a few big mistakes, but not something that was over the top - not that I'd ever do it.

Let's be honest - Long was shite for us. In terms of cause and effect, him being shite was the cause, the effect was the odd groan.

 

[Chali 2na]

Let him go then, but offer him a token contract so we get some cash for him.

Fair enough, I can't help but think we'd regret it from a financial point of view if we did though.

 

[Davalon]

No, because no matter how well he plays some fans want him to fail (same with Louis Reed). The fact he was a young kid under lots of pressure at the time obviously makes no difference to them, and they will never forgive him. I do however believe he will go on to have a very good Championship career elsewhere.

I'm not sure why any fan would want him to fail.

People just have opinions. I know some who don't rate Moore. I do.

George showed some key weaknesses despite having ability. The question is, is he better than Eastwood who I like, and is he willing to be number 2 again.

 

[BushBlade]

Fair enough, I can't help but think we'd regret it from a financial point of view if we did though.

In what way? Because he might accept the contract and then we have to pay him for three more years?

 

[BushBlade]

I'm not sure why any fan would want him to fail.

People just have opinions. I know some who don't rate Moore. I do.

George showed some key weaknesses despite having ability. The question is, is he better than Eastwood who I like, and is he willing to be number 2 again.

He shouldn't be. At his age and after the season he's having he should be desperate to keep playing week in week out. I wouldn't mind him back as cover but it's not the right move for him.

 

[mosbolad]

Let him go then, but offer him a token contract so we get some cash for him.

Can't be done. Its a club option so will be on the same or more than this season.

Blades could release him then offer a token contract but he would be a free agent.

 

[BushBlade]

Can't be done. Its a club option so will be on the same or more than this season.

Blades could release him then offer a token contract but he would be a free agent.

He's 24. Would we even get compensation if we offered him a contract and he went elsewhere?

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

So Ainsley Harriott and TobyClark youre going to write him off despite a great season on loan? Whilst still being young for a keeper?

He’s played 100 games for us. That’s more than enough to tell whether or not he’s good enough. He isn’t. I won’t doubt his shot-stopping capabilities because they’re good. But that’s 10% of the attributes needed to be a goalie. I’ve seen him concede worldies (one at Shrews sticks out) and fumble the most basic efforts (Exeter and Rochdale at home to name just 2). He’s inconsistent. His nerves overpower him. Once the crowd are on his back his head drops and it affects him for the rest of that game and for the next few.

The expectations at Wimbledon will be lower therefore pressure is lessened. He’s quite clearly a confidence player. But 100 games is enough to deal with that pressure and he simply couldn’t/can’t/won’t.

 

[HermitageBlade]

Always remember the part that Collins played in his loss of confidence. Not only was he a terrible defender but he also managed to blame all of his mistakes on the young lad Long whilst castigating him at every opportunity. Makes my blood boil when I see that albatross tweeting about our club and trying to link himself to it.

 

[Chali 2na]

In what way? Because he might accept the contract and then we have to pay him for three more years?

I was implying that he would develop in to some sort of player, and that future transfer revenue from selling him, or the money saved buying a reserve keeper, would outweigh any tribunal fee.

 

[UnitedBlade]

Must be a different record, this was successive clean sheets

Yes, this one is club record clean sheets in a season, can’t remember whether it’s 22 or 23.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Let's be honest - Long was shite for us. In terms of cause and effect, him being shite was the cause, the effect was the odd groan.

Oh it was much more than that, and completely disproportionate to what he had done on the pitch. This was probably greater at away games. He was a mediocre keeper for us overall – the treatment he got was a bizarre, own-foot-shooting response from a highly vocal element of fans. I’ve never seen anything like that for any other player of ours either before or since.

 

[mosbolad]

He's 24. Would we even get compensation if we offered him a contract and he went elsewhere?

That's correct Bush. At 24 compo stops for an out of contract player, but although I think his contract is up at the end of the season, I seem to recall there may be a club option. I suppose whether the club trigger the option depends on whether they see him having a future at the Lane and/or maybe what interest or not there is from other clubs.

 

[BushBlade]

I was implying that he would develop in to some sort of player, and that future transfer revenue from selling him, or the money saved buying a reserve keeper, would outweigh any tribunal fee.

I know. I'm winding you up. Fact is, neither you, me or anyone who's saying he's not good enough, has actually seen him play this season, in the flesh. Maybe he'll one day be good enough for the championship, or even the PL, or maybe he's found his level. You don't know which, nor do I, nor do his critics.

One thing I'm fairly certain of is that he won't improve much sat on our bench and he'll be 25 this year. It's too old IMO to be signing a contract to go out on loan again. He needs to move on with his career and his life.

 

[BushBlade]

That's correct Bush. At 24 compo stops for an out of contract player, but although I think his contract is up at the end of the season, I seem to recall there may be a club option. I suppose whether the club trigger the option depends on whether they see him having a future at the Lane and/or maybe what interest or not there is from other clubs.

Ah, got you. We could trigger the option so that a club has to pay us for him. Not a bad idea if he's in demand. Reasonable fee that a L1 club can afford and a sell on clause in case he turns into the next De Gea.

 

[ljk]

I've written this before, but I'll always have a lot of respect for George Long after the way he dealt with some hideous abuse from quite a large contingent against Gillingham away (Adkins' first game).

Those Blades fans probably still go to the games, but, after the way they turned on their own team with such vitriol, they don't deserve to enjoy these good times like the rest of us.

 

[jt64]

Think that we've probably surpassed the level where we can make use of him. Don't see a point in taking up the option either, it's going to cost more in wages for another season, even taking into account possible clawback if we loaned him out again, than we could reasonably expect to gain from a transfer fee. Shame he's a confidence player and when developing he was behind players that gave him none. If AFCW want to pay anything to make it perm in this window then take it and GLTTL

 

[Chali 2na]

I know. I'm winding you up. Fact is, neither you, me or anyone who's saying he's not good enough, has actually seen him play this season, in the flesh. Maybe he'll one day be good enough for the championship, or even the PL, or maybe he's found his level. You don't know which, nor do I, nor do his critics.

One thing I'm fairly certain of is that he won't improve much sat on our bench and he'll be 25 this year. It's too old IMO to be signing a contract to go out on loan again. He needs to move on with his career and his life.

Yeah, im by no means saying he's definitely going to make it: any offer we make him would be speculative.

And i completely agree that his best move, for his career, would be to move on - his best move and United's best move may not be the same thing though.

 

[Bladezz]

Personally he either comes back as a number 2 and replaces Blackman. Cheaper option.

Or we sell him with a sell on clause

 

[diplomat]

I swear I’ve just seen him in the gym. I didn’t ask him the OP question though, sorry.

 

[Lane Ender]

The problem with Long isn't his shot-stopping, it is the fact that he doesn't communicate to his defence, hence creating a shakey defensive line. Moore does that so much more and that's why we bought him. So in short:
No

How do you know that? have you seen seen him recently?
Comments from the Dons fans would suggest otherwise

 

[Addison]

As a few have said I believe we will look at an upgrade on Moore in the summer, which Long isn't. I would go for Danny ward at Liverpool, was very good for Huddersfield and Klopp must not fancy him because mingolet and karius are shit and he can't get a game. Although I wouldn't be surprised if he goes to celtic, there keeper has just got a bad injury.

Good shout exactly the type of keeper we should be looking at if we want to compete at the top end of the championship. As for Long his level is where he is now bottom end league 1. Good luck to him he's got his career back on track but he's just not good enough for the higher level.