West Bromwich Albion have long had a reputation for playing attractive, passing football, writes Adam Bate from Ghost Goal.
It’s a tradition the club is proud of and in recent times managers such as Tony Mowbray and Roberto di Matteo have enjoyed success playing an expansive game. But this wasn’t the reason Roy Hodgson committed to paying as much as £6.5million for Shane Long in the summer – Long was bought to give West Brom a new dimension.
The former Reading man has certainly made an impressive impact. Goals against Manchester United and Chelsea never do a player much harm but coming as they did in the player’s first two matches for the club it meant Long was already well on the way to hero status. And yet, his contribution to the side is about far more than goals. Long provides an outlet for his team-mates by defending from the front and turning hopeful punts into possession high up the pitch.
His defensive contribution is highlighted by the Opta statistics that show Long made more tackles than any other player on the pitch against Chelsea. He achieved this feat once again in the Black Country derby against Wolves and in the trip to Sunderland only former England international defender Wes Brown won more tackles than Long.
Where there remains room for improvement is in Long’s link-up play. Michael Cox pointed out in his Premier League chalkboard analysis in the Guardian that (excluding the kick-off) Long completed only one pass to his strike-partner Peter Odemwingie against Sunderland. And it’s not just Odemwingie that Long has struggled to link up with. He has completed more than 20 successful passes in a match only once all season.
This chalkboard from the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea illustrates the point that Long’s role for West Brom is more about his contribution without the ball than with it:
Perhaps this says as much about the quality of service Long is receiving from his West Brom team-mates as it does about the man’s ability with the ball at his feet. But then, as Reading fans will be aware, Long is comfortable in an underdog role scrapping for the ball.
At the age of 24, there is time for Shane Long’s game to develop. But for now, Roy Hodgson will be delighted with the contribution of his club’s record signing.
Related posts:
- Shane Long: a brief history of Reading’s star striker
- Boleyn brief: West Ham United 0 Ipswich Town 1
- West Ham United 0 Cardiff City 1: A view from both sides
Very interesting article. But..
“as much as £6.5million for Shane Long” – It was nearer 4,5
“with the contribution of his club’s record signing.” – He isn’t. That was Valero.
Undisclosed fees are always a riddle but the Telegraph reported it as £4.5m rising to a possible £6.5m.
It was also a direct quote from Roy Hodgson after the Chelsea game. But i take your point. Anyway, it doesn’t detract from an interesting article. I enjoyed reading it.
I thought this was a Football League blog. Apart from two throwaway references to Reading, this is most definitely a post about the Premiership.
This mini-series was my idea to see how Championship players have made the step up to the Premier League this summer.
Thanks for writing it. Not just this article but the website. I’m a Spanish boy really interested in Premier League and Championship.
Thanks for the comments.
Peter – I think it’s £4.5m rising to £6.5m. Valero was £4.7m – I’d have thought you’d have more faith in Long than that! Maybe it’s just my accounting past coming out – one of first principles is to recognise all possible costs likely to arise!
John – Fair comment but I think the idea as it was presented to me was to see how a few players from last season’s Championship are now faring in the top flight by using the Guardian chalkboards that aren’t available outside the Premier League.
Cheers
Adam
Having accountancy experience you’d know you have to be ‘true and fair’ – so taking the most extreme cost is probably not the most accurate approach. Knowing wba’s director, there’s probably a clause saying he has to play 10 games for Brazil to trigger the increase.
Having said that, 4.5 to 4,7 you’re probably right and I’m probably wrong.
With your accounting experience you may know this, but it confuses me, As the purchasing of a player is such a big asset compared to turnover, how come its not listed separately in the accounts? Similarly if you sell a player, the potential profit contribution is enormous, so how come there’s not a listed player asset pool? I just don’t see how a club like Reading or WBA can hid a few million in a broad based asset pool. I know if I tried it I’d have auditors all over me,
Great player, wish he would have gone up with Reading for their sake but glad he is back in the prem. Still think there are lots of quality players like him who could do a job in the top flight!