CONFIRMED George Long joins AFC Wimbledon on season long loan

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

Ajmblade

Ajmblade

Simply lovleh
Joined
Jun 1, 2016
Messages
211
Reaction score
299
Location
Sheffield, S2
Wilder said in his 'transfer update' offers recieved for all the listed players and George, presumably Long. So a keeper must be on his wanted list aswell...
 



Suppose that's not technically a rumour but seeing as its not a deal either ill stick it in here
 
One thing about George - it was really nice seeing him as happy as he was & as part of things at the end of the season. Can't have been easy for him this season gone, but Chris has often praised his attitude & said it was first class. Just glad to have seen him as part of the celebratory gang.
 
I really don't think he's a bad keeper, i just think his confidence is completely shot from the negativity at the start of the season.
 
Liaminho9 said:
I really don't think he's a bad keeper, i just think his confidence is completely shot from the negativity at the start of the season.
Click to expand...

He was a perfectly adequate league 1 keeper the year before, and still at a young age. I think he's probably done with Utd, but if he believes in himself he can have good career.
 
Liaminho9 said:
I really don't think he's a bad keeper, i just think his confidence is completely shot from the negativity at the start of the season.
Click to expand...

And therein lies the problem. He might be a half decent keeper given time, but for his own sake I think we have to go out separate ways as too much water has gone under the bridge. He may never be truly accepted now by the fans as he is tainted with the nightmare he had when he had to be pulled out of the side with his confidence shot. I wish him well but he should start afresh and hopefully prove himself elsewhere.
 
Liaminho9 said:
I really don't think he's a bad keeper, i just think his confidence is completely shot from the negativity at the start of the season.
Click to expand...
I have to disagree with you to a point. I agree it's all about confidence. But George has been a gibbering mass of uncertainty right from the start. And it's not because the crowd got on his back. The opposite in fact. He's been really well supported by the Blades. I amongst many others would have loved him to "come good". But he hasn't. His erratic form has never gone away. Excuses made for him about "just being a kid" have worn thin. He's not just a kid anymore. Some of us told you this 4 years ago. But some of you won't let go of the dream that he'll come good. He won't.

It's time for him to move on and if he's any sense he will seek a career outside of football and I sincerely wish the lad all the best.

My son (also a goalkeeper and far worse than George Long) has a photo of him and George arm in arm on his mobile phone. We've met George. He's one hell of a nice kid and there is no goalkeeper in the world I'd love to see succeed more than him. But, sorry to repeat again what I've said for the last 4/5 years... he isn't good enough! Please accept it because George needs to get himself a new life!
 
Really wanted it to work out for long but it's probably not a surprise we looked better defensively without him.

Suspect we could replace long with either smith from Northampton or the etheridge Walsall keeper we've been linked with - both available on a free transfer I believe. Without an significant increase in wage bill.

Both at an age where they would fancy their chances of becoming number 1 here.
 
Cerberus Blade said:
I have to disagree with you to a point. I agree it's all about confidence. But George has been a gibbering mass of uncertainty right from the start. And it's not because the crowd got on his back. The opposite in fact. He's been really well supported by the Blades. I amongst many others would have loved him to "come good". But he hasn't. His erratic form has never gone away. Excuses made for him about "just being a kid" have worn thin. He's not just a kid anymore. Some of us told you this 4 years ago. But some of you won't let go of the dream that he'll come good. He won't.

It's time for him to move on and if he's any sense he will seek a career outside of football and I sincerely wish the lad all the best.

My son (also a goalkeeper and far worse than George Long) has a photo of him and George arm in arm on his mobile phone. We've met George. He's one hell of a nice kid and there is no goalkeeper in the world I'd love to see succeed more than him. But, sorry to repeat again what I've said for the last 4/5 years... he isn't good enough! Please accept it because George needs to get himself a new life!
Click to expand...

Agree with most of what you say, but I would disagree with your comment that George should find another career.

I think GL can and will have a career in football. I just think it may be a case of taking a couple steps back to go forward over time. He could do worse than drop down a couple of leagues where the pressure isn't as intense, and continue to learn his trade and mature into a confident keeper. I dont think he will ever be a top class keeper but I think he's good enough to still make it in the game as a lower league player.
 
Cerberus Blade said:
I have to disagree with you to a point. I agree it's all about confidence. But George has been a gibbering mass of uncertainty right from the start. And it's not because the crowd got on his back. The opposite in fact. He's been really well supported by the Blades. I amongst many others would have loved him to "come good". But he hasn't. His erratic form has never gone away. Excuses made for him about "just being a kid" have worn thin. He's not just a kid anymore. Some of us told you this 4 years ago. But some of you won't let go of the dream that he'll come good. He won't.

It's time for him to move on and if he's any sense he will seek a career outside of football and I sincerely wish the lad all the best.

My son (also a goalkeeper and far worse than George Long) has a photo of him and George arm in arm on his mobile phone. We've met George. He's one hell of a nice kid and there is no goalkeeper in the world I'd love to see succeed more than him. But, sorry to repeat again what I've said for the last 4/5 years... he isn't good enough! Please accept it because George needs to get himself a new life!
Click to expand...
George will earn a decent living as a keeper but will probably have to move on a fresh start is what he needs
 
Weasel said:
Agree with most of what you say, but I would disagree with your comment that George should find another career.

I think GL can and will have a career in football. I just think it may be a case of taking a couple steps back to go forward over time. He could do worse than drop down a couple of leagues where the pressure isn't as intense, and continue to learn his trade and mature into a confident keeper. I dont think he will ever be a top class keeper but I think he's good enough to still make it in the game as a lower league player.
Click to expand...

He is definitely good enough to have a career in football, if that is what he wants and who knows how he will develop as he's still relatively young. Goalkeepers generally develop slower and later than outfield players and to write him off now, is as counterproductive as cheering when he stops a backpass in front of the Kop. :mad:
 



Cerberus Blade said:
I have to disagree with you to a point. I agree it's all about confidence. But George has been a gibbering mass of uncertainty right from the start. And it's not because the crowd got on his back. The opposite in fact. He's been really well supported by the Blades. I amongst many others would have loved him to "come good". But he hasn't. His erratic form has never gone away. Excuses made for him about "just being a kid" have worn thin. He's not just a kid anymore. Some of us told you this 4 years ago. But some of you won't let go of the dream that he'll come good. He won't.

It's time for him to move on and if he's any sense he will seek a career outside of football and I sincerely wish the lad all the best.

My son (also a goalkeeper and far worse than George Long) has a photo of him and George arm in arm on his mobile phone. We've met George. He's one hell of a nice kid and there is no goalkeeper in the world I'd love to see succeed more than him. But, sorry to repeat again what I've said for the last 4/5 years... he isn't good enough! Please accept it because George needs to get himself a new life!
Click to expand...

I appreciate what you're saying. But from what I've seen over the last few years... i would advocate a loan deal away over a permanent transfer.
A good friend of mine, completely impartial, swore he was the best keeper - by far - in the league when Motherwell beat Rangers in the playoffs.
Some fantastic saves in the final (most would say he was the difference), and throughout the season.
I still can't understand the sarcastic jeers when Long caught a loose ball at 0-3 against Southend early in the season... his own fans! Jeering him.. I half expected him to throw the ball in his own net!
Honestly, forget money, and profile... if, whilst you were doing your day-to-day job, you had someone stood there, shouting abuse... would you perform to your full potential?
 
Long needs a fresh start.

It might mean going much lower down, but it is needed to get him regular games at a club with perhaps a little less expectation for now.
Has all the tools, needs to sort his confidence and application to get consistency needed to succeed at the top.
 
Long now needs to move on and make sure he gets exposure of being a first choice keeper again. I feel a bit sorry for him to be honest, just look at what he's has in front of him for all his career. Can you imagine coming through as a young player and having Collins screaming at you, even when it was his own error. Then having the security of Mceveley, Mcgahey, Allcock, etc etc etc. Unfortunately for Long he's largely been a part of a poor United side, with an awful defense in front of him. Everyone is quick to criticise him for having moved backwards from his great start, but maybe that had a little something to do with the fact he had a proper defender in front of him, one who's not very hot property and no doubt off to a big premier league club.
 
Foody said:
Long now needs to move on and make sure he gets exposure of being a first choice keeper again. I feel a bit sorry for him to be honest, just look at what he's has in front of him for all his career. Can you imagine coming through as a young player and having Collins screaming at you, even when it was his own error. Then having the security of Mceveley, Mcgahey, Allcock, etc etc etc. Unfortunately for Long he's largely been a part of a poor United side, with an awful defense in front of him. Everyone is quick to criticise him for having moved backwards from his great start, but maybe that had a little something to do with the fact he had a proper defender in front of him, one who's not very hot property and no doubt off to a big premier league club.
Click to expand...

Think we all feel for Long as he hit the first team as a young lad and still want him to succeed . The young goalkeeper at Sunderland plays behind a crap defence but still commands his area and bawls out instructions with being very vocal . Does Long need to go back to basics , as confidence goes hand in hand with ability .

It was a double edged sword at The Lane , Long had no confidence in his defence , and the defence had no confidence in Long ,which created the recipe for disaster.

The bottom line Long is not good enough for the Championship . We have moved on and Long needs to do the same . Wilder will make sure he gets the best deal for both Long and the club .

Also Moore would benefit from serious competition
.
 
Hey Scunthorpe fan here

I have heard that we are interested I think we could be the club.

In your honest opinions will he do well? if he was to join us we lost daniels to Brentford. so we currently have 1 keeper

He was replaced in 4 games under wilder? was he really that bad. Is he good enough for a team chasing promotion.

PS: I could be completely wrong and the other club could be chesterfield
 
Fat said:
Hey Scunthorpe fan here

I have heard that we are interested I think we could be the club.

In your honest opinions will he do well? if he was to join us we lost daniels to Brentford. so we currently have 1 keeper

He was replaced in 4 games under wilder? was he really that bad. Is he good enough for a team chasing promotion.

PS: I could be completely wrong and the other club could be chesterfield
Click to expand...

Poor goalkeeper but he just lacks confidence.

Isn't at all commanding, always feels like you're at risk of conceding a hilarious goal.

He could flourish at another team however he won't because he's not a very good goalkeeper.

Having said that, he's not really a good shot stopper which seems to be the redeeming quality given by fans of all poor goalkeepers.

He needs a change though in order to wow a different set of supporters to his poor goalkeeperness.

That's horrible, I feel bad now. He's actually got the potential to be adequate, just needs to be more commanding.
 
Okay thanks for being honest, He sounds a bit like Luke Daniels when he first signed for us wasn't very commanding in the box lead to some calamities, I think we "Scunthorpe" Missed out on a huge opportunity last season and the season coming is going to be alot harder
 
good luck to him & I hope he does well with the rest of his career.

He isnt championship standard though.
 
Fat said:
Hey Scunthorpe fan here

I have heard that we are interested I think we could be the club.

In your honest opinions will he do well? if he was to join us we lost daniels to Brentford. so we currently have 1 keeper

He was replaced in 4 games under wilder? was he really that bad. Is he good enough for a team chasing promotion.

PS: I could be completely wrong and the other club could be chesterfield
Click to expand...

He was really that bad, yes. He has all the weaknesses a dodgy keeper could ever wish for.
 
Weasel said:
Agree with most of what you say, but I would disagree with your comment that George should find another career.

I think GL can and will have a career in football. I just think it may be a case of taking a couple steps back to go forward over time. He could do worse than drop down a couple of leagues where the pressure isn't as intense, and continue to learn his trade and mature into a confident keeper. I dont think he will ever be a top class keeper but I think he's good enough to still make it in the game as a lower league player.
Click to expand...

Errm, you do know that we've been playing in League 1 for the last 5 years don't you? So when you talk about him dropping down a couple of divisions, that's into non-league then? In which case, I agree with you, because he wasn't good enough at League 1 level - he's proven that.

He also wasn't good enough for Motherwell. Can I remind you, courtesy of Roy's excellent summaries, what they thought of him?

https://roysviewfrom.wordpress.com/...w-on-george-long-taken-from-the-month-of-may/

The same traits here that we have seen, over and over again, for several years. "Indecisiveness, error prone, not commanding his area, costing the club points". I'm afraid it's indisputable. And I'm thinking about this now as a father of sons. If it was my lad I'd be preparing him for the very likely situation that he won't make a career out of the professional game. I'd be encouraging him to do some studies and be ready for a career change because before too long he will have left the professional game. There is no doubt about that at all in my mind.
 
Cerberus Blade said:
Errm, you do know that we've been playing in League 1 for the last 5 years don't you? So when you talk about him dropping down a couple of divisions, that's into non-league then? In which case, I agree with you, because he wasn't good enough at League 1 level - he's proven that.

He also wasn't good enough for Motherwell. Can I remind you, courtesy of Roy's excellent summaries, what they thought of him?

https://roysviewfrom.wordpress.com/...w-on-george-long-taken-from-the-month-of-may/

The same traits here that we have seen, over and over again, for several years. "Indecisiveness, error prone, not commanding his area, costing the club points". I'm afraid it's indisputable. And I'm thinking about this now as a father of sons. If it was my lad I'd be preparing him for the very likely situation that he won't make a career out of the professional game. I'd be encouraging him to do some studies and be ready for a career change because before too long he will have left the professional game. There is no doubt about that at all in my mind.
Click to expand...

A fair assessment i think. Yes, in answer to your question I think GL needs to probably drop down to either division 3 or even non league level (conference level) where I think his current performance levels are more suited. He can still make a living out of the game even in non league if he chooses the right club and his career takes a change for the better.

I'd look to move the lad on but stick a clause in that we have a decent percentage of a future sell on, and first dibs on the lad if he comes back strongly (just like the Man Utds of this world do when they let younger players move on).

Still think GL can make a living in the game (he was decent enough in the U23's last season but then the pressure is off to an extent) but it is really now or never for him at Utd.
 



Fat said:
Hey Scunthorpe fan here

I have heard that we are interested I think we could be the club.

In your honest opinions will he do well? if he was to join us we lost daniels to Brentford. so we currently have 1 keeper

He was replaced in 4 games under wilder? was he really that bad. Is he good enough for a team chasing promotion.

PS: I could be completely wrong and the other club could be chesterfield
Click to expand...


I have a different view to most.

He's still very young, and was thrown into the deep end at an age that's it was too much for him at a time and club where the weight of expectation was huge. He hasn't got the character to deal with that pressure.

However, technically he's a good shot stopper, he's a good size, his handling is as good as any, kicking is ok in that he can kick it a long way but he's not going to be taking the ball off defenders and switching play!

The key will be getting him to come out of his shell, and keep him confident. Because the minute he's feeling the pressure that's when the errors in handling come in. It also impacts on his control of his area and defence by making him indecisive and quiet.
From what I know of your manager he's good with younger players, and he might be the one who makes a player from him. I hope he goes to you and does well. He's a top lad, really nice kid and works hard. So has the attitude to work at his game, and you never know Musselwhite might just be the one to make him thrive and sort it out.

Good luck next season.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Tony Currie
Restructure loan against assets - for January spending?
Replies
19
Views
1K
Kenilworth
Kenilworth
Champagneblade
At which point do we look to next season?
2
Replies
37
Views
1K
mattbianco1
mattbianco1
CharnockBlade
Who goes in jauary?
2
Replies
56
Views
4K
mattbianco1
mattbianco1
neshfox
Pre-match press conference - Swansea City (A)
2
Replies
36
Views
3K
Espania blade
Espania blade
BalticBlade
Wilder - 'January can't come soon enough'
4 5 6
Replies
151
Views
10K
Bell4
Bell4

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

All advertisments are hidden for logged in members, why not log in/register?

Back
Top Bottom