Does George Long have a future here?

[Slim Man]

It’s a question that needs asking.

I believe after everything that’s gone on, the fact he’s doing so well at Wimbledon is testament to his mental strength and the type of person he is. The attitude he’s shown to rebuild his confidence and frankly his career is exactly the type of attitude we want here.

He’s had more of a bad time at the Lane than good but let’s not forget he broke a record for clean sheets in his first season and under Adkins was a bit of hope for us for the future in an otherwise bleak season.

At Wimbledon he is performing outstandingly well. Another clean sheet yesterday, 4-0 away at Bradford. That’s a grand total of no goals he’s conceded in January, for a let’s face it very average League One outfit - at absolute best.

If we were scouting League One for long term competition for Moore next season and onwards (assuming we probably wont be able to sign Blackman) we’d be looking at the most impressive defensive records - and no one can argue George fits the bill. People might say he’s ‘found his level’ but I very much disagree. Keepers hit their peak a lot later than outfield players and Long is still in his early twenties.

Has he got a future here? After this season and if he continues in the same vein it’s hard to say no.

Keep at it George. We’re all rooting for you.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

It’s isnt hard to say no at all.

No.

 

[blade too long]

never understood all the stick he got
was behind a very poor team when some had a go at him
still kept his fair share of clean sheets

 

[Ricky]

We should keep him and loan him out for another season. He's a bit young to be selling permanently IMO.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

We should keep him and loan him out for another season. He's a bit young to be selling permanently IMO.

Need to get him signed up to a new contract then

 

[TobyClark]

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

 

[GrayBlade]

There’s no reason why not if he can rediscover the form he had when he first came into the team for us. He was kept in the firing line far too long IMO when it was obvious to everyone (but Clough) that his confidence was shot, but the talent was there for all to see. I suppose the key question is will our fans be as forgiving as ones at a new club who didn’t see him at his worst? If some fans get on his back he could be back to square one unless he really has found a new inner strength.

 

[Slim Man]

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

 

[GrayBlade]

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

Better communication is something that should be possible to train into him though I’d have thought.

 

[INTERUNITED]

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.

 

[SteveBlade]

I'd love him to come back and be a brilliant player for us. I hoped the same with Ben Whiteman.

I see George going the same way. I think it's for the best for all involved. He'd be third choice at best here when Blackman goes back.

I think the best option is for him to build himself back up and establish himself as one of the best goalkeepers in League 1. After that, he could well prove to be a success at a higher level.

 

[Barney]

I wouldn't be surprised if he's been permanently scarred by that purely abhorrent abuse he was subjected to from his own fans behind the goal during the spell in which he was starting every game. What a dark time that was for our football club.

 

[Ranmoorblade]

Think we need to be looking at a new keeper who's better than Moore and Long so I'd let him go if it suits us.

 

[stringer]

But let’s not forget he broke a record for clean sheets in his first season

Wasn’t that Howard? He broke John Hope’s record which had stood since the 1970s

 

[cooperblade]

Think he'll have a good career but it won't be at Bramall Lane. Very difficult as a goalkeeper when large sections of the fan base have zero confidence in you.

Never understood why United fans were so against him, not even in the top 3 worst United keepers in the last 10 years.

 

[sitwell]

never understood all the stick he got
was behind a very poor team when some had a go at him
still kept his fair share of clean sheets

He was very poor for us ,dress it up as him local ,young whatever you want ,but he was hopeless ,its no coincidence weve now got a defence who communicate and are well up the league above. He also tried to hold us to ransom when Adkins went ,I don't think he will ever play for Utd again.

 

[Harry's Game]

Let me think for a moment.....



....

 

[Slim Man]

Wasn’t that Howard? He broke John Hope’s record which had stood since the 1970s

Sure George broke some sort of record when behind Harry and Collins

 

[Houston_Blade]

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!

 

[Luke1993]

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.

 

[Slim Man]

Think he'll have a good career but it won't be at Bramall Lane. Very difficult as a goalkeeper when large sections of the fan base have zero confidence in you.

Never understood why United fans were so against him, not even in the top 3 worst United keepers in the last 10 years.

For me our second best in the League One years. Miles better than Simonsen... shudder. And better than Howard too.

 

[UnitedBlade]

Wasn’t that Howard? He broke John Hope’s record which had stood since the 1970s

Howard contributed something like 4.5, George the vast majority of about 18.5. Howard was injured at Orient hence the fraction.

George provided the vast majority and was in exceptional form.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

As things stand, no. I think he's performing well, at that level.

I agree with Ricky loan him out for another year and have a think about it after that. I think we should be looking to make the current two our permanent two though, whilst bringing Eastwood on who by all accounts is the best we've developed yet.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Ironically, Ramsdale seemed to enjoy universal support yet appears to be more error-prone than Long ever was based on form this season. I imagine had Ramsdale made those sorts of errors here a good few would have quickly twisted their knives into him to exacerbate the problem, as happened with Long.

 

[Ranmoorblade]

As things stand, no. I think he's performing well, at that level.

I agree with Ricky loan him out for another year and have a think about it after that. I think we should be looking to make the current two our permanent two though, whilst bringing Eastwood on who by all accounts is the best we've developed yet.

That would mean offering him a new contract as I think his runs out in the summer.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

That would mean offering him a new contract as I think his runs out in the summer.

GERRIMSELT THEN TUFTEH.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Howard contributed something like 4.5, George the vast majority of about 18.5. Howard was injured at Orient hence the fraction.

George provided the vast majority and was in exceptional form.

That is true. In general, though, I think goalkeeping stats are often not very useful. If you put Ramsdale in the Man City goal for the rest of the season, and the Man City goalie in the Chesterfield goal, I am pretty sure Ramsdale would keep the most clean sheets. But would that prove that he is the better goalkeeper?

 

[alcoblade]

I wouldn't be surprised if he's been permanently scarred by that purely abhorrent abuse he was subjected to from his own fans behind the goal during the spell in which he was starting every game. What a dark time that was for our football club.

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.

 

[alcoblade]

He was very poor for us ,dress it up as him local ,young whatever you want ,but he was hopeless ,its no coincidence weve now got a defence who communicate and are well up the league above. He also tried to hold us to ransom when Adkins went ,I don't think he will ever play for Utd again.

And he was offered a huge deal, which Wilder immediately put on hold.

We really threw money down the drain pre Wilder.

 

[stringer]

Howard contributed something like 4.5, George the vast majority of about 18.5. Howard was injured at Orient hence the fraction.

George provided the vast majority and was in exceptional form.

Must be a different record, this was successive clean sheets