The case for George Long.

[Woodwardfan]

Looking at George Long these days you can see he's grown up a lot since his spells in the first team which were as long ago as the 2013/14 season. He's 21 and will be 22 in November, 6'4" and the body and appearance of a full grown man these days.

He's played 89 first team games for three clubs but has not had a prolonged spell of first team football since 2013. He's an England U-18 and U-21 international.

Adkins has stated that he will give every squad player a chance and I hope Long impresses him. Potentially Long can be a very good keeper and of course time is on his side.

Mark Howard is 28 years old. When he arrived at Bramall Lane he was 25 with just 53 first team games at modest levels. He has now played 60 games for us and I'd describe him as an average keeper at his personal peak, good enough for League 1 and probably no higher.

I think Long has the potential to play much higher than this and I reckon he could become a big asset to the club if he develops as he should. I believe the time is right to invest in his and our future and give him another run in the first team. Long is a SUFC business asset and he needs developing, not just wasting his time on the bench. By all means send him out on loan to a carefully selected club but will he not do better than Howard if he gets off to a confident start in his first few games? Last season we dominated some home games and yet fell behind on the odd attack by the opposition, Howard has a slow reaction rate to long shots in particular. Food for thought?

As for George Willis I have only seen him briefly so I can't comment, but he is 21 and has no first team games as yet. Maybe he's the one who should go out on loan.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Looking at George Long these days you can see he's grown up a lot since his spells in the first team which were as long ago as the 2013/14 season. He's 21 and will be 22 in November, 6'4" and the body and appearance of a full grown man these days.

He's played 89 first team games for three clubs but has not had a prolonged spell of first team football since 2013. He's an England U-18 and U-21 international.

Adkins has stated that he will give every squad player a chance and I hope Long impresses him. Potentially Long can be a very good keeper and of course time is on his side.

Mark Howard is 28 years old. When he arrived at Bramall Lane he was 25 with just 53 first team games at modest levels. He has now played 60 games for us and I'd describe him as an average keeper at his personal peak, good enough for League 1 and probably no higher.

I think Long has the potential to play much higher than this and I reckon he could become a big asset to the club if he develops as he should. I believe the time is right to invest in his and our future and give him another run in the first team. Long is a SUFC business asset and he needs developing, not just wasting his time on the bench. By all means send him out on loan to a carefully selected club but will he not do better than Howard if he gets off to a confident start in his first few games? Last season we dominated some home games and yet fell behind on the odd attack by the opposition, Howard has a slow reaction rate to long shots in particular. Food for thought?

As for George Willis I have only seen him briefly so I can't comment, but he is 21 and has no first team games as yet. Maybe he's the one who should go out on loan.

What will make Long or indeed Howard better goalkeepers is having a settled back 4 , with 2no commanding CB players . These 3 positions will make or break us this season.

Also up front we still IMO need a 20 / 25 goal attacker .

Good quality players make average players better , as they play with more confidence .

Adkins has said that the squad is not good enough for promotion , so certain positions still have to be sorted . If not , by the start of the season , we will be dropping points , and playing catch up .

Both goalkeepers require to be looked at playing behind the final chosen back 4 , of which we are still experimenting , unless Collins is already pencilled in for one of the slots.

I am sure Adkins will sort it , but it is whether or not the players he is targeting , want to come to BDTBL , and more importantly , are they the right calibre to resolve our last season issues.

UTB

 

[Latters]

Looking at George Long these days you can see he's grown up a lot since his spells in the first team which were as long ago as the 2013/14 season. He's 21 and will be 22 in November, 6'4" and the body and appearance of a full grown man these days.

He's played 89 first team games for three clubs but has not had a prolonged spell of first team football since 2013. He's an England U-18 and U-21 international.

Adkins has stated that he will give every squad player a chance and I hope Long impresses him. Potentially Long can be a very good keeper and of course time is on his side.

Mark Howard is 28 years old. When he arrived at Bramall Lane he was 25 with just 53 first team games at modest levels. He has now played 60 games for us and I'd describe him as an average keeper at his personal peak, good enough for League 1 and probably no higher.

I think Long has the potential to play much higher than this and I reckon he could become a big asset to the club if he develops as he should. I believe the time is right to invest in his and our future and give him another run in the first team. Long is a SUFC business asset and he needs developing, not just wasting his time on the bench. By all means send him out on loan to a carefully selected club but will he not do better than Howard if he gets off to a confident start in his first few games? Last season we dominated some home games and yet fell behind on the odd attack by the opposition, Howard has a slow reaction rate to long shots in particular. Food for thought?

As for George Willis I have only seen him briefly so I can't comment, but he is 21 and has no first team games as yet. Maybe he's the one who should go out on loan.

All the evidence I've seen so far suggests to me that Howard is a better goalkeeper than Long. We are not in a position where we can be gambling on Long coming good, just for his benefit and the sake of his development.

I agree that he should be sent out on loan, but be isn't good enough for our first team at the moment.

If we are to drop Howard, I hope it would be for a new, better keeper. Not Long.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

All the evidence I've seen so far suggests to me that Howard is a better goalkeeper than Long. We are not in a position where we can be gambling on Long coming good, just for his benefit and the sake of his development.

I agree that he should be sent out on loan, but be isn't good enough for our first team at the moment.

If we are to drop Howard, I hope it would be for a new, better keeper. Not Long.

Long looked OK in the Scottish play offs. A better bet than Howard.

 

[Bladesway]

See how he performs pre season and take it from there. Surely he gets the same chance as everyone else in the squad to impress?

 

[sitwell]

Howard is ten times the keeper that Long is or ever will be ,he might be 21 but he has the presence of a 10 year old ,not good enough for Sheff Utd that is a certainty.

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

If we're thinking of keeping him long term he deserves a good run in at the deep end. All goalkeepers have a mistake in them but if he can learn to deal with it and regain his confidence, his mistakes will become fewer and he'll be a reyt goalie. Hopefully the action will be all up at the other end.

 

[Pinchy]

If we're thinking of keeping him long term he deserves a good run in at the deep end. All goalkeepers have a mistake in them but if he can learn to deal with it and regain his confidence, his mistakes will become fewer and he'll be a reyt goalie. Hopefully the action will be all up at the other end.

So it's OK to drop vital points in order to improve a young goalkeeper?

 

[Pinchy]

My Bladey-Blade Boyband detector is going off the scale at the moment. I think it was triggered by "give him a run" and "he deserves"....

 

[raul]

The thread's been up for two hours, I just assumed the delay was down to you playing golf.

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

So it's OK to drop vital points in order to improve a young goalkeeper?

It's a good question. The lad needs experience. I don't know if confidence is part of being good enough when a young goalkeeper breaks in to the first team and I don't know if his experience from games on loan will mean much when he comes back here. I don't know.

 

[mosbolad]

Howard is ten times the keeper that Long is or ever will be ,he might be 21 but he has the presence of a 10 year old

Did you see Long in the playoffs against Rangers at Ibrox. MOM according to Motherwell forum. Not bad for a ten year old.

 

[Pinchy]

It's a good question. The lad needs experience. I don't know if confidence is part of being good enough when a young goalkeeper breaks in to the first team and I don't know if his experience from games on loan will mean much when he comes back here. I don't know.

It was a rhetorical question, mate! The answer is a big fat NO! We are a professional football club, not the X Factor. George Long and all the other players, young or old, local or Martian, are here to benefit our club, not the other way round!

Giving players 'a run' is what happens in the Sheffield Sunday U-15 League. At professional level you have all the opportunity in the world to prove yourself in the u-18s, u-21s and in training. You want "a run" in the first team? Excel at the lower levels and you'll get one!

 

[Pinchy]

Did you see Long in the playoffs against Rangers at Ibrox. MOM according to Motherwell forum. Not bad for a ten year old.

Oh dear, oh Bladey selective dear!

Did you see some of his embarrassing performances for our club?...

 

[Pinchy]

The thread's been up for two hours, I just assumed the delay was down to you playing golf.

I tee off at 12-54 today, mate. Just cleaning my clubs as we speak.

I always try to spare a little of my valuable time to try to educate people. It's entirely altruistic and I seek no gratitude.

You know me well enough by now...

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

It was a rhetorical question, mate! The answer is a big fat NO! We are a professional football club, not the X Factor. George Long and all the other players, young or old, local or Martian, are here to benefit our club, not the other way round!

Giving players 'a run' is what happens in the Sheffield Sunday U-15 level. At professional level you have all the opportunity in the world to prove yourself in the u-18s, u-21s and in training. You want "a run" in the first team? Excel at the lower levels and you'll get one!

Amen. I'll go with that Pinchers. Don't expect me to get on board with all your sexy football bollocks though.

 

[Pinchy]

Amen. I'll go with that Pinchers. Don't expect me to get on board with all your sexy football bollocks though.

You Hoof?

 

[Keef Chedwyn]

You Hoof?

I do love it, I wouldn't say I was IN love with it though.

 

[mosbolad]

I tee off at 12-54 today, mate. Just cleaning my clubs as we speak.

LOL. I am sure you will be amongst friends, holding court, giving them the benefit of your wisdom, pro bono of course.

Keep up the facade, and get those clubs polished!........mate....

 

[Pinchy]

LOL. I am sure you will be amongst friends, holding court, giving them the benefit of your wisdom, pro bono of course.

Keep up the facade, and get those clubs polished!........mate....

It's a bit like football, there are no friends once you tee off in the Weekly Seniors Medal. It's a dog eat dog world out there...

I don't polish the clubs, just lukewarm, slightly soapy water and a small wire brush to get inside the grooves. It's a bit like one of Darren's parties...

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

My Bladey-Blade Boyband detector is going off the scale at the moment. I think it was triggered by "give him a run" and "he deserves"....

Forget the Bladey Blade issue . The fact of the matter is , we are still short of a number of players , in key positions , to become a automatic promotion force in this league . You could add a goalkeeper to that list .

Are both Long or Howard good enough , to achieve our aim this season .My view is No.

UTB

 

[mosbolad]

Are both Long or Howard good enough , to achieve our aim this season .My view is No.

I trust NA to make the right decision. Be it Long or Howard. If he thinks neither are up to it then I am sure he will get a competent replacement.

I agree that its nothing to do with Bladey Blade. He is assessing the options we already have in the team. He sees them in training every day and whatever is his decision I will be behind his judgement.

 

[mosbolad]

It's a dog eat dog world out there...

I am sure you will feel quite at home.

 

[Pinchy]

I trust NA to make the right decision. Be it Long or Howard. If he thinks neither are up to it then I am sure he will get a competent replacement.

I agree that its nothing to do with Bladey Blade

Of course it is. No-one would be banging the absurd "give him a run" drum for Long otherwise...

 

[finlaytheblade]

All the evidence I've seen so far suggests to me that Howard is a better goalkeeper than Long. We are not in a position where we can be gambling on Long coming good, just for his benefit and the sake of his development.

I agree that he should be sent out on loan, but be isn't good enough for our first team at the moment.

If we are to drop Howard, I hope it would be for a new, better keeper. Not Long.

Let's see what Adkins makes of long it's well over a year since he played for us and he has matured somewhat in that year with good and bad experiences out on loan. He finished on a high at motherwell so his confidence should be high after. some tough learning curves both here and out on loan.An imposing 6ft4 means he has the physical presence let's hope Adkins rates him as I do we could have another star on our hands.all that talk of a failing academy is a load of tosh.

 

[oaklandrdblade]

As an ex-keeper it should be the position that he can best assess. Having watched Long from being 16/17 years old the one thing that has never improved, in my opinion, is his command of the area, he was always a good shot stopper at Academy level but his decision making was rash at times. He has struggled with poor reactions at times since he came into the first team, maybe the extra pace on the shots is too much for him.

 

[sitwell]

Did you see Long in the playoffs against Rangers at Ibrox. MOM according to Motherwell forum. Not bad for a ten year old.

Did you see him at Oxford in the ENGLISH league ,well at least for the 10 games he was awful in, before they made him second choice there ?

 

[Zlatan]

Having watched Long from being 16/17 years old the one thing that has never improved, in my opinion, is his command of the area

From what I've seen of Long in the last year he seems to have improved massively when it comes to collecting crosses and commanding his area. I wouldn't be disappointed if he started next season as first choice when you take into account some of Howard's clangers, especially some of the daisy cutters he conceded.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

This is a bizarre thread. At a time when everyone regardless of crappness, be it a season ago or even longer, is being given a clean slate to impress Adkins, I am amazed at some of these comments.

Long has had some truly appalling games for us. He has also, admittedly now in the even more distant past, had some excellent games for us - games that have secured wins for us.

Let's be quite clear about this before last season is somehow rewritten in everyone's minds - Howard had quite a dodgy 2nd half of the season. By the end of it, any confidence I had at Christmas at Howard's ability to save shots from distance and angles that appeared routine had pretty much evaporated - as indeed his own confidence appeared to also.

I'm not saying Long has all of a sudden transformed into a reliable first-teamer again. But it is within the realms of possibility that he could do enough to impress Adkins this pre-season, and can still improve. By all accounts, he appears to have had better performances at Motherwell as the season ended than Howard had for us.

In a perfect world, we'd get in someone completely new that's clearly better than both.

 

[sitwell]

This is a bizarre thread. At a time when everyone regardless of crappness, be it a season ago or even longer, is being given a clean slate to impress Adkins, I am amazed at some of these comments.

Long has had some truly appalling games for us. He has also, admittedly now in the even more distant past, had some excellent games for us - games that have secured wins for us.

Let's be quite clear about this before last season is somehow rewritten in everyone's minds - Howard had quite a dodgy 2nd half of the season. By the end of it, any confidence I had at Christmas at Howard's ability to save shots from distance and angles that appeared routine had pretty much evaporated - as indeed his own confidence appeared to also.

I'm not saying Long has all of a sudden transformed into a reliable first-teamer again. But it is within the realms of possibility that he could do enough to impress Adkins this pre-season, and can still improve. By all accounts, he appears to have had better performances at Motherwell as the season ended than Howard had for us.

In a perfect world, we'd get in someone completely new that's clearly better than both.

Did you hear Howards interview last week ? He did as thought play through injury at the end of the season which impaired his agility and confidence ,I can see why he played ,because the back up was so poor but this should have been addressed and is unfair to judge Howard on it as he was probably the best keeper in the division before Xmas.