General Sam Long

Most underrated player in this squad. I really do believe if he hadn't got sent off against Bristol Rovers 2 seasons ago he would have been first choice Right Back along time ago. Unlike Hanson he keeps it simple and doesn't panic in a tough situation.

Deserves this 100%
 
Got to 'declare ' a vested interest where Sam Long is concerned.....many years ago my youngest daughter (when she lived in bicester-she's lived in northern Ireland for a few years now) , used to babysit a then young Sam Long .... I have to keep her (& my 2 grandsons) updated with Sam's OUFC exploits (Whyte n Sykes too for me grandsons at school in N I too)
 
This is the first year that it's felt like he's been injury free. But for his injuries he probably would have established himself by now. He's done well to remain at the club and has every chance now of kicking on. Would like to see what kind of player he'd develop into if he played regularly.
 
Possible unpopular opinion time.

I’m surprised at this and can only presume Sam Long is on lowish wages with us. For me, he would have been earmarked for being released come the season’s end.

Considering he’s been here for so long and has had some stinkers with injuries, he’s now played under five permanent managers and a number of caretakers but has never really pushed his way into a starting line up for an extended period of time. Managers sing his praises and I have little doubt he’s totally professional, but at 24 we need to start seeing improvement from him. A dozen appearances a season isn’t enough for me and he’s only appeared 40 times for the first team in six years. That needs to improve.

Maybe the ugly games like we had against Blackpool are his forte? Whatever the case, I hope to see it in his extended spell with us.
 
Possible unpopular opinion time.

I’m surprised at this and can only presume Sam Long is on lowish wages with us. For me, he would have been earmarked for being released come the season’s end.

Considering he’s been here for so long and has had some stinkers with injuries, he’s now played under five permanent managers and a number of caretakers but has never really pushed his way into a starting line up for an extended period of time. Managers sing his praises and I have little doubt he’s totally professional, but at 24 we need to start seeing improvement from him. A dozen appearances a season isn’t enough for me and he’s only appeared 40 times for the first team in six years. That needs to improve.

Maybe the ugly games like we had against Blackpool are his forte? Whatever the case, I hope to see it in his extended spell with us.

Five managers who've seen something in him. I can't really comment on the lad because I've not really seen him play (apart from in that sending-off v Bristol Rovers). I think he probably is on low wages, but to survive at this club for so long when so many 'promising' young players have come and gone speaks volumes. Plus he's a local lad who loves the club, passion like that spreads around the dressing room.
 
I’m pleased for him, think he’s worth a run in the team over Hansen who always looks like he’s one reckless challenge away from a card. I think Hansen gets put there because he’s got to be playing because he’s our record signing so we decide he’s suddenly a full back. Same thing with Garbutt.
 
I’m pleased for him, think he’s worth a run in the team over Hansen who always looks like he’s one reckless challenge away from a card. I think Hansen gets put there because he’s got to be playing because he’s our record signing so we decide he’s suddenly a full back. Same thing with Garbutt.
Hanson has just been dropped for Long and Garbutt has been left out for Ruffels for most if the season so I'm not quite sure what you are saying?
Garbutt played Saturday as Browne and Whyte were injured and to be fair he was very good
 
I’m pleased for him, think he’s worth a run in the team over Hansen who always looks like he’s one reckless challenge away from a card. I think Hansen gets put there because he’s got to be playing because he’s our record signing so we decide he’s suddenly a full back. Same thing with Garbutt.

Hanson gets put at right back because that’s where he prefers to play and spoke to staff to ask them to play him there.
 
I think Long deserves to keep his place at RB for the next game at least. Maybe he just needs a run of games to make the position his own? I’ve not seen much of him but I think he also plays CB so I assume he’s not the type of fullback who’s going to bomb on the overlap and get crosses in? I think a good solid no-nonsense fullback whos primary asset is defending is what’s required until the end of the season though.

As for Garbutt, it will be interesting if he finds his feet in a position further up the pitch. His header against Accrington was really impressive but got ‘lost’ in the awful team performance and result. One thing I’ll say, I’m impressed with his strength of character, he’s not had a great season by any stretch of the imagination but he’s never gone into hiding or shirked responsibility. Another quality we’re going to need to see from the players if we’re going to pull away from the drop zone.
 
Five managers who've seen something in him. I can't really comment on the lad because I've not really seen him play (apart from in that sending-off v Bristol Rovers). I think he probably is on low wages, but to survive at this club for so long when so many 'promising' young players have come and gone speaks volumes. Plus he's a local lad who loves the club, passion like that spreads around the dressing room.

Can’t argue with that. A lot of managers have praised him.

As I said, development and improvement is needed now. Blackpool sounded like a good performance from him and I hope it can be a springboard. He can’t have a career from sporadic good performances only to drop back to the bench again.
 
Sam Long is on a low wage and would almost certainly get paid more if he moved on, even if he meant dropping down a league or 2. But I think he knows that with a decent run of games he is good enough to hold down a permanent place in the team and has a point to prove. He has rarely let the team down and more than held his own against Man City only a few months ago.
 
would've been good if we were nearly at the magic 50 points with nothing to play for then give Long and some of the youngsters a good run of game time. would be like starting pre season early and a chance to have good look at what we've got in competitive games other than the u23s
 
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