Long v Worcester

[William Henry Foulkes]

Not much to go on but a couple of encouraging signs:

Came and got decent enough contact on a cross or corner in a crowded box at least once

For me, as long as you divert the ball from its path (the further the better) you're doing the main part of your job. I don't think you necessarily have to punch it clear over the halfway line, though anything less is often met with utter derision: the bloke sitting behind us advocating punching the head off their centre forward as Long went for the ball and saw it as a weakness that he hadn't done that.

Cleared up a through ball - a breakthrough?!

He normally stays in his box, six-yard box even, almost no matter what (leading to faint concern, incredulous looks, and then blind panic from his centre backs as they can't believe he's not come for the ball they've shielded so effectively), so it was good to see him venture over towards the touchline. When he got there I thought he had time to control the ball and play it, but given he'd ventured so far out of his comfort zone it was understandable he'd hoof the ball into the stand and retreat where he felt safe, but still.

Tbh I imagine he's well past the age where he's going to make significant advances but istm crosses and through balls in particular are parts of his game he really needs to work on. Maybe he's doing just that.

UTMB

 

[coaxingstar71]

Apart from those you mentioned there WHF, there were a couple of other shaky moments. The biggest one when the ball went right across goal in the second half and Long appeared to somehow dive over it, I don't know if he got a touch or if it was deflected before it got to him but it seemed to go straight through him. Then there was another moment when the ball was played back to him (for a change) and instead of playing what looked a comfortable ball to Freeman, decided to panic and kick right down the middle and not very far straight to one of their players.

 

[SwissBlade]

I didn't pay a lot of attention to long for the most part, was watching the defence rather than keeper and it was nice to see a solid back four (including Collins).

But when called upon, Long looked extremely nervous and shakey and seemed to put himself under more pressure with rash or poor decision making, particularly in the first half, but the one where he dived over the ball in the second half looked ridiculous. I'll have to watch it back to understand what the hell he was trying to do.

In a game where we just had to be solid and confident I think Long was anything but.

I wouldn't like him to play a league one game any time soon unless he sorts his head out

 

[Jon Bon]

Wish people would stop trying to make a case for Long. He's far from good enough and needs to be moved on. Harsh but true.

 

[sitwell]

I crap myself everytime it goes near our box ,so what must the defenders think. His body language indicates he is far too nervous to be a goalkeeper.

 

[SwissBlade]

Wish people would stop trying to make a case for Long. He's far from good enough and needs to be moved on. Harsh but true.

I don't think it's as simple as just writing players off. He's obviously a reasonable keeper and represented his country in his age group for a while. However, for whatever reason he's really not lived up to that expectation.

I think he's had some chances to show what he can do and now i think his issue is more than just technical ability.

Several managers have given him a chance but he's not kept his place.

Howard has been poor but he's still ahead of Long and if Long had been able to step up he would've taken his chance. He hasn't done

 

[Slim Man]

His shot stopping has never been an issue and his kicking seems to have improved.

And if it wasn't for the ball across the box/dive over the ball moment I'd be saying a good solid performance from him. However that's what separates the good from the gash.

There's a good keeper in there somewhere, but his confidence was absolutely decimated and it's hard to get back at that age. Can we really afford to wait?
I'd rather have a keeper better than him and Howard, but it seems less of a priority.
But in fairness for potential alone, I'd rather stick with Long in the hope that he rediscovers his form from when he won the player of the month and kept 6 (or was it more) clean sheets on the trot. That George Long was destined for the Premier League, no doubt about it. Such a shame what's happened since.

 

[Woodwardfan]

In interview Adkins was talking about "keeper mentality" and responsibilities. Is he preparing us for another Long Shot? He talked about distribution which is a big fault of Howard ( and Long).

 

[finlaytheblade]

In interview Adkins was talking about "keeper mentality" and responsibilities. Is he preparing us for another Long Shot? He talked about distribution which is a big fault of Howard ( and Long).

Adkins should know what makes a good keeper and he spelled it out in that interview woody,he s a great beleaved in that spare room but as he said all keepers are good shot stoppers but the bits that make the difference between the elite and goalkeepers at our level is decision making and distribution. Howard maybe will not improve that much but Long is very young for a keeper and he still has time to rectify
his shortcomings for me his self beleave his his main problem and Adkins will know this its about how he can help him over this personal
barrier as it has stalled his development.He will make a living in the lower leagues but can he bridge the gap I beleave he can and become a
top keeper,but if not there are always others coming through young Ramsdale lookes a fine prospect but at 17 he as a lot to learn just as
George has. It's very interesting following the progress of young players most don't make it but the deciding factor whether they do is as much about mental toughness as skill it's a harsh environment for academy lads as the competition is fierce the rewards are there if they make it but most don't.

 

[alcoblade]

His shot stopping has never been an issue and his kicking seems to have improved.

And if it wasn't for the ball across the box/dive over the ball moment I'd be saying a good solid performance from him. However that's what separates the good from the gash.

There's a good keeper in there somewhere, but his confidence was absolutely decimated and it's hard to get back at that age. Can we really afford to wait?
I'd rather have a keeper better than him and Howard, but it seems less of a priority.
But in fairness for potential alone, I'd rather stick with Long in the hope that he rediscovers his form from when he won the player of the month and kept 6 (or was it more) clean sheets on the trot. That George Long was destined for the Premier League, no doubt about it. Such a shame what's happened since.

The trouble with relying on potential is that he can be two good games away from being fooled they he can do a job.

I'd prefer he was gone so that temptation nevere arises.

He's simply nowhere near good enough, in my opinion.

UTB

 

[mosbolad]

but the one where he dived over the ball in the second half looked ridiculous.

The dive over the ball Swiss is bang on 10 minutes (you need the vid on full screen to have a chance to see what happened). Its still difficult to see exactly what happened but to me it looked like as the ball was crossed in, their striker was in position to meet it and strike it towards the goal. Long was positioned towards his near post and anticipated the shot and positioned/spreading to block. The striker either missed or didn't get much on it at all so the shot never came and the ball goes straight through.

Just as interesting to me is that the ball goes straight passed Collins who makes no attempt to meet it or to put it out rather let it fly across the box (it appears he has time to do so), then does his obligatory bark at Long to deflect any blame.

 

[SwissBlade]

The trouble with relying on potential is that he can be two good games away from being fooled they he can do a job.

I'd prefer he was gone so that temptation nevere arises.

He's simply nowhere near good enough, in my opinion.

UTB

And that's fine... But we need a back up keeper...or a first choice keeper

 

[1danewhitehouse]

The dive over the ball Swiss is bang on 10 minutes (you need the vid on full screen to have a chance to see what happened). Its still difficult to see exactly what happened but to me it looked like as the ball was crossed in, their striker was in position to meet it and strike it towards the goal. Long was positioned towards his near post and anticipated the shot and positioned/spreading to block. The striker either missed or didn't get much on it at all so the shot never came and the ball goes straight through.

Just as interesting to me is that the ball goes straight passed Collins who makes no attempt to meet it or to put it out rather let it fly across the box (it appears he has time to do so), then does his obligatory bark at Long to deflect any blame.

I think Collins and Basham are both terrified of putting the ball in their own net if they stick out a foot. That's the sort of problem a good cross should create. It was in exactly the right area from the winger. If we're looking at blame for that incident I would look at

1. Baxter gives the ball away cheaply to start them attacking for our own attack.
2. Harris gets done far too easily barely putting in any sort of challenge.
3. Hammond gets back to cover but is similarly poor at stopping the winger despite fouling him a bit.

Long just dived at the feet of the forward trying to block any touch that might have been on target.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Others have touched upon the fact that Long must have ability to have the run of form he had in Wilson’s second season. However, it seems that ever since he’s gone from a kid who’d been chucked in to a professional who is expected to performing like one, the pressure has been to much for him. He made a decent save early on Saturday and didn’t concede. But as others have said, it’s how nervous he looks. There doesn’t seem to be any confidence or commanding presence about him. He just seems like a kid who’s quite good at saving shots rather than a professional goalkeeper. Unless NA can get inside his head and give him that confidence and sense of responsibility, it’s unlikely he’ll make it at a decent level. Is he out of contract in the summer? If not, perhaps another loan move might help him.

 

[Bladesince59]

It's too late to build confidence for him; his defence or us poor sods paying their wages, We don't have a goalie at BDTBL full stop.

 

[Mickey Jupp]

I think Collins and Basham are both terrified of putting the ball in their own net if they stick out a foot. That's the sort of problem a good cross should create. It was in exactly the right area from the winger. If we're looking at blame for that incident I would look at

1. Baxter gives the ball away cheaply to start them attacking for our own attack.
2. Harris gets done far too easily barely putting in any sort of challenge.
3. Hammond gets back to cover but is similarly poor at stopping the winger despite fouling him a bit.

Long just dived at the feet of the forward trying to block any touch that might have been on target.

...and
4. Collins avoids the block
5. Long dives at the player not the ball
6. Basham allows his player to get goal side and ball side

Altogether a miracle it wasnt a goal

 

[1danewhitehouse]

...and

4. Collins avoids the block- I think, in the circumstances, it was right not to touch it as he might have put through his own net.
5. Long dives at the player not the ball- If he dives at the ball, he potentially gives the player an empty net to tap into- by diving at his feet, if the player makes contact, Long has a good chance of blocking.
6. Basham allows his player to get goal side and ball side- Agreed, that shouldn't happen.

Altogether a miracle it wasnt a goal

 

[Kenilworth]

I crap myself everytime it goes near our box ,so what must the defenders think. His body language indicates he is far too nervous to be a goalkeeper.

So, more of a soiled defence than a solid one then?

 

[SteveBlade]

Has there ever been a goalkeeper in history who hasn't been described as a 'good shot stopper'?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

On the plus

Has there ever been a goalkeeper in history who hasn't been described as a 'good shot stopper'?

I'm not sure Lee Baxter could even be described as a shot stopper...

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Wish people would stop trying to make a case for Long. He's far from good enough and needs to be moved on. Harsh but true.

I'm not trying to make a case for Long.

We have finite resources. It would be better to maximise returns from the ones we have.

If we need to buy a keeper then would that be instead of a CM or CH or would you go for a reduction in quality we could afford of either/both of those players.

 

[Jon Bon]

If we need to buy a keeper then would that be instead of a CM or CH or would you go for a reduction in quality we could afford of either/both of those players.

To be honest mate, I'm past caring. It's not something that I give any thought to. I didn't even know we were playing tonight until half an hour ago.

 

[SandyMcBlade]

It's in the scriptures, any team is as good as it's spine, C/forward, C/half. and Goalkeeper..

Unfortunately the problem with our club is, if we got two of them right they'd probably sell them to buy the third ....

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

The trouble with relying on potential is that he can be two good games away from being fooled they he can do a job.

I'd prefer he was gone so that temptation nevere arises.

He's simply nowhere near good enough, in my opinion.

UTB

How do we replace him?

I think he's a bundle of nerves but the reality might be he's our best option, and we should encourage him.

When Howard was out last season Turner really was a liability, that may be the standard of reserve keepers you get in Division 3.

Long played in a winning team in the play-offs(!) last season didn't he?

Ok they were Scottish play-offs, but there must be something there.

 

[SandyMcBlade]

Well listening to the wind down there, he'll have his hands full tonight,

Hopefully...

 

[JonnyRed(WCFC)]

The dive over the ball Swiss is bang on 10 minutes (you need the vid on full screen to have a chance to see what happened). Its still difficult to see exactly what happened but to me it looked like as the ball was crossed in, their striker was in position to meet it and strike it towards the goal. Long was positioned towards his near post and anticipated the shot and positioned/spreading to block. The striker either missed or didn't get much on it at all so the shot never came and the ball goes straight through.

Just as interesting to me is that the ball goes straight passed Collins who makes no attempt to meet it or to put it out rather let it fly across the box (it appears he has time to do so), then does his obligatory bark at Long to deflect any blame.

your second goal... Vaughany blotted his great game a bit by half heartedly trying to slide out feet first to clear the JCR cross in...he could easily have have led out hands first and dived on it!!

 

[BushBlade]

How do we replace him?

I think he's a bundle of nerves but the reality might be he's our best option, and we should encourage him.

When Howard was out last season Turner really was a liability, that may be the standard of reserve keepers you get in Division 3.

Long played in a winning team in the play-offs(!) last season didn't he?

Ok they were Scottish play-offs, but there must be something there.

He did. Although it was bottom of the SPL v top of Scottish Championship. So the equivalent of playing a L2 team, albeit with a lot more pressure.

 

[PokerBlade]

Has there ever been a goalkeeper in history who hasn't been described as a 'good shot stopper'?

It's up there with "Good touch for a big man".

Thing with Long though is when he first came through into the side I'd never seen reactions like that on a keeper. I remember him making a few point blank saves that he'd no right to get a hand to.

I don't like to try and read too much into the psychology of players from the stands, but every time I see Long he looks scared. Others seem to see the same thing. He looks like they ought to let him forget about football for a couple of weeks while he goes and trains with Curtis Woodhouse. Bring him back when he's not afraid of getting hurt or making a mistake.

Maybe he'll be just another player that showed such early promise and never lives up to it. It happens. As long as he's still young for a keeper we ought to give him a bit more chance to mature. In the same way that some youngsters haven't had many chances in the first team from our succession of managers, Long is one that yet another gaffer seems to see the potential in.

 

[JohnDenver]

Has there ever been a goalkeeper in history who hasn't been described as a 'good shot stopper'?

Mark Bunn and Mark Howard. Both allow/ed shots to sail past them.

Simmo could pull off a worldie one minute and flap at a simple cross the next. He's the true good stopper / terrible keeper.

 

[Liaminho9]

From what i saw on twitter last night it sounded like he played well - can anybody confirm?