Quick message to George Long

[Revolution]

I can't believe he's snuck back into the reckoning, and seemingly with the backing of lots of fans. Flabbergasted doesn't cover it.

The second I hear his name on the team-sheet I start thinking of the next match. It's totally and utterly depressing.

UTB

I remember watching the Oldham and Tranmere games 2 years ago. It was apparent that Long had poor command of his area, has trouble with set pieces, and the defence were uneasy in front of him - Sitwell had spotted this some time before and he was 100% right.

Long was eventually replaced with Howard and our results became a lot better - this change was surely a factor in that.

And yet nearly 2 years on, with no visible improvement and with a shocking game at Gillingham behind him, Long is back.

Nobody ever learns anything at the Lane.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Long was eventually replaced with Howard and our results became a lot better - this change was surely a factor in that.

Howard came into a team that had as its back 4 for the first time Brayford, Collins, Maguire, Harris – a strong back 4 that stayed virtually uninterrupted till the end of the season. Long hadn't had that luxury (indeed he didn't start any games with that back four as I recall), instead dealing with Matt Hill and Tony McMahon regularly in the back 4. It was probably the right decision to bring Howard back when we did, but I'd argue that playing an unrecognisably better and stronger back 4 at the time was more important.

 

[Revolution]

Howard came into a team that had as its back 4 for the first time Brayford, Collins, Maguire, Harris – a strong back 4 that stayed virtually uninterrupted till the end of the season. Long hadn't had that luxury (indeed he didn't start any games with that back four as I recall), instead dealing with Matt Hill and Tony McMahon regularly in the back 4. It was probably the right decision to bring Howard back when we did, but I'd argue that playing an unrecognisably better and stronger back 4 at the time was more important.

That may well have been the more important factor, but Long leaving the team was a factor. He was not playing well at the time. He was culpable when Bradford came back from 2 down to get a point, and his last game was the hammering at Crewe.

It's a repeat of the Ryan Flynn situation. He's not playing because he's good, but because there's nobody good on the books.

 

[cooperblade]

I agree that goalkeeper is one of quite a few positions that we need to strengthen if we're to get promotion.

I'd go with Long over Howard for now though. Howard is morphing into Mark Bunn with every 25 yarder looking like a certain goal. At the end of last season, he said his poor form was down to not having a settled back 4 in front of him but the majority of his errors were letting in long-range shots. Perhaps when Nathan Byrne's shot bounced for the 6th time on its way in, he was reminiscing about Harry Maguire and forgot to dive?

 

[LoughboroBlade]

He's not playing because he's good, but because there's nobody good on the books.

It's this in a nutshell yes. The slight issue I have is that I find myself in the odd position of defending a player I don't particularly rate due to the lack of objectivity on his performances. Long's general shot-stopping ability is generally pretty good, and probably as good if not better than Howard's, as is his distribution. His confidence, command of the area, and communication is worse. Between the two of them they make one good keeper. Individually neither are up to the standard required.

 

[JJ Sefton]

I've been lucky enough to see some great keepers at United over the years; Tracey, Rees, Kelly, Kenny, but we've never been weaker at that position than we are now.

 

[Caveblade]

I am amazed that we are still discussing this. The inability at the club to bring in a new first choice keeper and centre back is the key reason we are still floundering in mid table in the 3rd division.

I like Adkins but am astounded that this was not priority no 1.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I am amazed that we are still discussing this. The inability at the club to bring in a new first choice keeper and centre back is the key reason we are still floundering in mid table in the 3rd division.

I like Adkins but am astounded that this was not priority no 1.

Any keeper would struggle to establish himself behind those centre halves. George wasn't at fault for the goal, he cleared his line, where was the marking or closing down,
Mr Collins was also generally shit, but seems to be continuing to get away with it, because he cried once in an interview because it means so much.

 

[Revolution]

I've been lucky enough to see some great keepers at United over the years; Tracey, Rees, Kelly, Kenny, but we've never been weaker at that position than we are now.

I think it's the worst it's been since 1987-8, when after selling Burridge we had just Andy Leaning to rely on.

Things are worse than in the last few years because Long and Howard have regressed. It's been a problem position on and off since Kenny went.

 

[BushBlade]

I think it's the worst it's been since 1987-8, when after selling Burridge we had just Andy Leaning to rely on.

Things are worse than in the last few years because Long and Howard have regressed. It's been a problem position on and off since Kenny went.

Not even on and off. Just since Kenny went.

 

[Darthblade]

I remember watching the Oldham and Tranmere games 2 years ago. It was apparent that Long had poor command of his area, has trouble with set pieces, and the defence were uneasy in front of him - Sitwell had spotted this some time before and he was 100% right.

Long was eventually replaced with Howard and our results became a lot better - this change was surely a factor in that.

And yet nearly 2 years on, with no visible improvement and with a shocking game at Gillingham behind him, Long is back.

Nobody ever learns anything at the Lane.

Regrettably though, Howard is NOT the answer ...

UTB & FTP

 

[SUFC Guy]

We need a new experienced keeper with Long as back up. Long would benefit from a better keeper as number 1 I'm sure.

 

[sitwell]

We need a new experienced keeper with Long as back up. Long would benefit from a better keeper as number 1 I'm sure.

So its Howards fault that Long is shit ?? How about stop making excuses for him and face the fact that its Longs fault hes shit ,or did Howard accompany him to Oxford too. Actually maybe its Howards fault that Sammon cant hit a barn door ,and Collins is crap ?

 

[BushBlade]

So its Howards fault that Long is shit ?? How about stop making excuses for him and face the fact that its Longs fault hes shit ,or did Howard accompany him to Oxford too. Actually maybe its Howards fault that Sammon cant hit a barn door ,and Collins is crap ?

I think he means if we had a good keeper Long would play less and would have the opportunity to train with someone decent and learn from him.

And to add my bit, if Howard isn't good enough to keep Long out of the team, he's not good enough at all.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

So its Howards fault that Long is shit ?? How about stop making excuses for him and face the fact that its Longs fault hes shit ,or did Howard accompany him to Oxford too. Actually maybe its Howards fault that Sammon cant hit a barn door ,and Collins is crap ?

I think the suggestion Howard's failings are in any way responsible for Long's failings is nonsense – for starters, they're completely different, and actually Howard's better qualities are precisely the ones Long lacks and could learn from.

Out of interest Sitters, do you still feel Howard is "ten times the keeper Long is or ever will be", or has Howard's performances this year altered that?

 

[sitwell]

I think the suggestion Howard's failings are in any way responsible for Long's failings is nonsense – for starters, they're completely different, and actually Howard's better qualities are precisely the ones Long lacks and could learn from.

Out of interest Sitters, do you still feel Howard is "ten times the keeper Long is or ever will be", or has Howard's performances this year altered that?

I think both Howard and Long are suffering from having a different back 4 in front of them every week ,especially Howard as he does actually communicate with them. He is having a rough patch and needs to regain his confidence ,however I don't think Long will ever have the strength or spirit to be a good keeper ,he lacks any presence whatsoever and that is vital in a keeper. Regarding the goal on Saturday ,Howard would have been slaughtered as would most keepers but he gets defended for being young (hes 22) inexperienced (over 100 games) ,defenders in his way (not true) the weather. Look at the outfield players after the goal , about 6 of them tried to tell him to get his head up ,he has to be stronger and take responsibility and I don't think he can.Hes 6 foot 4 but you would never think it.
We do need another keeper at the club with Howard as back up in my opinion. Best Ive seen are Roy Carroll but at 38 is probably too old and Cisak of Orient.

 

[SUFC Guy]

Howard is cack and altho Long is not much better I feel that a better keeper than Howard will benefit Long.

Is it really that difficult to understand sitwell???

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

Hey George, seems like the floristry lessons are paying off.
Keep up the good work Mate.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

How about we back a young keeper rather than get the daggers out for him every game he plays?

I don't blame him at all for the first goal today, he dealt with the immediate danger and got the ball clear of the penalty area. It was the lack of urgency from the rest of the players to close down a player who'd been left in far too much room on the edge of the box which led to the goal.

Just seen the video of their first goal, for what it's worth I don't think George did any thing wrong if we'd defended it as we should of done we'd of been clapping that. Only because our defence decided it was a good idea to leave a player sitting outside our box with no-one round him, are we talking about him.

IMO he made the wrong choice in punching and also in the direction he punched it. All goalkeepers are (or should be taught) not to punch the goal to the front of the penalty area - out by the bye-lines is much better and George had the opportunity to catch or punch wide.

But yes there was a player totally unmarked and that didn't help.

 

[Jehovah]

George long, Dean Hammond and Paul Coutts. It's like the anti Christ's of messi, neymar and Suarez.

 

[Paulus]

George long, Dean Hammond and Paul Coutts. It's like the anti Christ's of messi, neymar and Suarez.

With a name like yours I guess you should know.

 

[Blade56]

Can agree with the op. Not saying he's http://www.skysports.com/football/walsall-vs-sheff-utd/340297irked class but having just watched the highlights

http://www.skysports.com/football/walsall-vs-sheff-utd/340297

He saved us from an EMBARASSING defeat

 

[mosbolad]

Can agree with the op. Not saying he's class but having just watched the highlights

http://www.skysports.com/football/walsall-vs-sheff-utd/340297

He saved us from an EMBARASSING defeat

Well done Long on the triple save at 25 seconds.

Well done Collins on 25 seconds turning his back on the shot!

A defender turning his back on a shot! It really makes you wonder!

 

[Woodwardfan]

Can agree with the op. Not saying he's http://www.skysports.com/football/walsall-vs-sheff-utd/340297irked class but having just watched the highlights

http://www.skysports.com/football/walsall-vs-sheff-utd/340297

He saved us from an EMBARASSING defeat

Maybe we should sign a few more florists.

Seriously this O.P. is one of the most callous, ignorant and destructive I have ever seen and it was written within an hour of the home game v Southend when Long played well too.

Long might not be the finished article and he might well need more time out on loan, but he is OUR player, brought through our ranks and was a key player in our best Youth Team for years and played against Man Utd in the final, something we haven't achieved for yonks.

He is a Blade and he does his best at trying to forge a career with us. He's an England International and he deserves respect as evidenced by his performance yesterday.

Florist indeed. Cheap and childish shot.

 

[Blade56]

Well done Long on the triple save at 25 seconds.

Well done Collins on 25 seconds turning his back on the shot!

A defender turning his back on a shot! It really makes you wonder!

Just noticed my typo, should have read CANT agree with op. Sorry George!

 

[Blade56]

Maybe we should sign a few more florists.

Seriously this O.P. is one of the most callous, ignorant and destructive I have ever seen and it was written within an hour of the home game v Southend when Long played well too.

Long might not be the finished article and he might well need more time out on loan, but he is OUR player, brought through our ranks and was a key player in our best Youth Team for years and played against Man Utd in the final, something we haven't achieved for yonks.

He is a Blade and he does his best at trying to forge a career with us. He's an England International and he deserves respect as evidenced by his performance yesterday.

Florist indeed. Cheap and childish shot.

Just noticed my typo, think it's obvious my post should have read CAN'T agree with op. Sorry George!

 

[SUFC Guy]

I am sorry son , football is clearly your thing.

Another good performance from Long.
He may or may not keep it up but at least give a guy credit when he deserves it.

Feel free to relieve your self when he doesn't

 

[metalblade]

I didn't see Long do much wrong on the highlights yet the usual suspects are critical because he didn't hold on to the 4 clear goal scoring opportunities that he kept out, well done George Long a one man defence in the first half.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

Hey George,
If you wouldn't mind giving up trying to be a goalkeeper, I could do with a Christmas wreath and a couple of poinsettias please.

 

[Rodders]

George, you'll never be as bad as the lad Coventry had in net today, one of the worst I've ever seen!