Reading FC

Shane Long 'not for sale' says West Brom manager Steve Clarke

Reading FC: 'No truth' in Shane Long bid rumours

By Jonny Fordham
July 30, 2012

Reading and West Brom have both rejected stories linking Shane Long with a return to Madejski Stadium.

Royals boss Brian McDermott told the Reading Post that there was no truth in reports linking the club with a bid of £5.5million for the former striker.

And Baggies manager Steve Clarke has insisted that the Republic of Ireland star is not for sale.

He added: “We’ve had absolutely nothing on Shane,” said Clarke.

“There have been no bids and he’s not for sale. He’s 100 per cent part of my plans.”

Long scored 25 times for Royals in 2010/11 before he joined West Brom for around £4.5million at the start of last season.

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Agree with TilhurstSouthbank, Long looked like a Prem player in a Championship team, he was a cut above the rest and it was very noticeable (hence his sale). Not massively keen on bringing players back (apart from Gylfi), but he was a popular character in the squad which is an added bonus to his footballing qualities and I'd choose him over Hunt/Church...possibly even Roberts.

Lester Crinklesack
31/07/2012 at 15:08

I'm sorry, but how many of you on here actually go to games? In his last season for us, Shane was outstanding. Took him some games to find his shooting boots, but his power, pace, skill and ball retention were first class. I'd have him back in a Heartbeat!

TilehurstSouthbank, Tilehurst, Reading
31/07/2012 at 12:38

Shane Long is fast. All other RFC forwards are one pace. We need something special to unlock PL defences. At the moment that is sadly lacking - poss exception, Guthrie.

Champs
31/07/2012 at 09:21

Long is not a reconized goalscorer either. Runs around a lot but nothing constructive. Runs like a girl too, nothing disrespectful to the ladies. When last at RFC his goalscoring was mainly from the penalty spot. Think you might find Church to be a better player than you are all making out. Reserve the comments on Hunt.

Revs1031, Minnesota
31/07/2012 at 01:10

Sorry, but Hunt and Church are not PL players. Go after Long and sell these two.

Royals1871
30/07/2012 at 16:06

@RH3

Don't get much do you?

Big P, Reading
30/07/2012 at 13:58

@Ray of the North. No you're not wrong, but I'm assuming everyone else (like me) might be going on the assumption that (heaven forbid he gets injured, doesn't work out etc) that after him there isn't much in reserve. Essentially all our eggs seem to be resting in his large framed basket. He's got a great record at the PL... but that record is only over 12 games (hardly solid) and with the help of having one of the PL's best playmakers in Dempsey assisting him.

Add to that as I said last time on this subject. Robets and Alf were great last season, but Roberts' record in PL isn't what it was for us in the Champ and Alf is having to step up again after only appearing to be his most effective in the last 20mins of Champ games.

Hopeful Hoops, Reading
30/07/2012 at 13:48

I must be missing something here but the first 8 comments below seem to conveniently ignore the fact that Pogrebnyak is a striker... ... or doesn't he count for some reason?

Ray of the North
30/07/2012 at 13:30

WBA have said they have received no bids for Long.

Reading have said they have not made a bid for Long.

So how does that translate as"in other words we made a bid and it was rejected"?

It never ceases to amaze me that some people believe that everything they read must be true.

Rh3, Reading
30/07/2012 at 13:28

The way I view things, it not so much that people want a proven PL striker, because as many have stated for RFC to land one it would cost a record fee and sit out of place from "The Reading way." It's more the fact that we're taking unproven strikers from Championship level into the PL.

Roberts does the job and albeit more from the bench than starting so does Alf. It's Church and Hunt that are the issue. Hunt can barely score ten goals a season at Championship level and in his debut season and stepping up two leagues, Alf has done what RFC have been wanting Church to do for the previous three seasons!

I know others have said "but the goals will come from elsewhere in the team" but the fact is, the way McD has had the team playing since Gylfi left they seldom do. Harte's free-kicks fine, Jobi has potentail to do it, Kebe sadly doesn't often show pedigree in the final third and Jem or Lege are normally set too far back to steam a goal charge forward of their own.

Reading scored the least goals by nearly ten for almost every team involved in the promotion/play-off drive last season. That's testiment to our defence, but next season we'll be playing a better class of teams and we could be lucky to get the breaks we saw against Saints, Hammers and Brighton etc. Looking back at those games (Brighton and Saints away especially) can you really say we had them on the ropes for most of the match?

Taking our chances will be vital. Maybe the likes of Rhodes etc are worth a punt? They've certainly shown they know where the goal is compared to half our current strike-force. Prolific Goal-scorers seem to sniff the back of the net out whatever league their in as Alf has shown... something Church and Hunt seem alien to.

Hopeful Hoops, Reading
30/07/2012 at 10:53

Was the photo taken from the front of a Queen album?

Bigboy, woodley
30/07/2012 at 10:36

Matthew L you are spot on!!

Just My Opinion
30/07/2012 at 10:25

What is the definition of a proven goal scorer? I reckon if you said it was 10 goals plus a season then frankly we are going to struggle to get one of those for less than about £10m or £50k p/w plus wages.

McD said at the last forum that it was highly unlikely (this season) that they would try for Long - so taking him at his word. Defoe is going to cost more than £5m more like £8m (minimum) and big wages. Rhodes is untested but at £3m or £4m plus Morrison is more likely. Doyle has committed his future to Wolves which translated is 'come and get me someone please' - He scored 19 in two seasons in the prem with us - so not out of the question.

The fact is we take a gamble on an unknown younger player like Rhodes, pay big to get a Defoe or look to the past with the likes of Doyle or Long. Ultimately if a deal comes up then I'm sure RFC will try and do it. I still think ALF will be our star (surprise) striker next season.

Getting more & more excited......Come on URZZ

Robsy , Reading
30/07/2012 at 10:19

£5M on Owen?!?!?!?

Matron!.........

Big P, Reading
30/07/2012 at 10:14

I agree with Mathew L, we should look forward not back. We MUST sign a proven goal scorer before the start of the season, Church & Hunt are not good enough at this level.