Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl praised striker Shane Long for his contribution in the 2-1 win against Leicester City post-match on Saturday, and a lot of Saints fans could be made to look very silly indeed.
The Republic of Ireland international won the penalty for the south coast outfit’s first goal and then netted his first for the club since April just before half-time as the 10 men clung on for a vital three points, and his commitment didn’t go unnoticed by the Austrian.
What did he say?
Speaking after the game via The Daily Echo, the former RB Leipzig boss hinted that he wouldn’t case Long aside:
“I think Shane was the best example of what we were demanding for today. Hard working, good defending and if you get the chance to kill them then do it.
“I know Shane has not the best finishing or didn’t score so much last time but in the Premier League before he has scored ten or 12 times.
“I want to bring him back in this shape like Reddy (Redmond) did when he scored.”
What happens next?
Given some of the negative reaction he has had from some of his own supporters on Twitter this season and previously because of his lack of goals for a striker, many Saints fans wouldn’t have lost too much sleep if the 31-year-old had been shipped out this month.
However, it appears as though Hasenhuttl has a different plan and is ready to work with the Irishman to try and help him find some goalscoring form like he has with Nathan Redmond, and to get him back to the performances in front of goal he showed under Ronald Koeman before the Dutchman’s departure in 2016.
Should the 51-year-old get the best out of Long – which could easily happen given the improvements shown by the likes of Redmond, Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse already – those supporters that wrote off the striker could be made to look very foolish.
Check out the video below for Emma Conybeare’s rundown of which clubs need what in the January transfer window…
