Sam Long

[Scotchegg]

Worthy of his own thread since his return to the team. Sam has rarely let the side down with his performances since breaking in to the first team, but has never had a decent run of games to establish himself. I was surprised to see that before this season he had only made 20 odd appearances in 6 seasons before fighting his way back into contention this year. Having put half a dozen good performances together there is no reason to see why he won't hold the right back position for the rest of this season and hopefully into next season too. It's good to hear the likes of Mous and Eastwood saying how underrated he is and will hopefully be 'one of our own' for some time to come.

 

[dabigfella]

Long is a defender who can attack a bit. Unlike the usual right backs Robinson likes who are attackers who can defend a bit. Makes a hell of a difference.

 

[Foley]

The goals conceded in the past few games says it all really.
This season he seems to have got over the injuries that have caused him.problems in his career.
I saw him.play in the U23s where he played at CB and looked solid.
Good to see

 

[MJB]

I particularly like that he now does that little trick so beloved of Baldock whereby he takes the ball round an opponent with a little drag of the ball inside with the heel.

Very cheeky and he’s clearly learnt things even when he has been out with injuries!

It’s not possible that if he plays like he has for the rest of the season, he’ll get yet another 12 months added to his contract come May.

 

[yellowbow]

I particularly like that he now does that little trick so beloved of Baldock whereby he takes the ball round an opponent with a little drag of the ball inside with the heel.

Very cheeky and he’s clearly learnt things even when he has been out with injuries!

It’s not possible that if he plays like he has for the rest of the season, he’ll get yet another 12 months added to his contract come May.

Is it similar to the now world famous ‘Obika Dragback’?!

As an aside, where does the emergence of Long leave the ‘issue’ that is Hanson? Signed on a long contract for big money, the management have admitted to not really knowing what his preferred position was when signing him. He’s moved from midfield to fullback to, now, out of the team completely. Where does he, ad the club, go from here?

 

[holdsteady]

He is a proper defender and a good athlete, has come in and done the best job out of the 4 right backs we have used this season.

Hanson should go on loan to a fourth division club next season for me, let him play games and get some confidence back and see what he can do, plus it would at least take some of his wage off of us.

 

[MJB]

Is it similar to the now world famous ‘Obika Dragback’?!

As an aside, where does the emergence of Long leave the ‘issue’ that is Hanson? Signed on a long contract for big money, the management have admitted to not really knowing what his preferred position was when signing him. He’s moved from midfield to fullback to, now, out of the team completely. Where does he, ad the club, go from here?

Ha, yes. It’s a minor point I was making but symptomatic of Long’s confidence from getting a run of games. Having two local lads at full-back is certainly a positive thing to see.

On Hanson, who knows. We need to develop him but the important thing is that we don’t play him, just for his pricetag’s sake. And for all the criticism of KR that people might have, I don’t think he tends to stick with players just because of their reputation (e.g. Carruthers) and will go for youth if he feels that’s better for the team and club.

As pointed out above, a loan might be the way to go next season for Hanson but I’d be looking a L1 club - perhaps someone newly promoted. Can’t risk having his value drop yet further!

 

[Scotchegg]

It's likely Carruthers will be gone next season and with Ruffels likely to remain at left back that will leave a squad position in centre mid for Hanson to fight for. He wasn't completely inept in the middle and was an alright right back, but not good enough to hold down either position. It will be down to him to fight to find a way back in to the side during the summer or loans are the most likely option.

 

[yellowbow]

It's likely Carruthers will be gone next season and with Ruffels likely to remain at left back that will leave a squad position in centre mid for Hanson to fight for. He wasn't completely inept in the middle and was an alright right back, but not good enough to hold down either position. It will be down to him to fight to find a way back in to the side during the summer or loans are the most likely option.

I hope he stays and becomes a success. I’m going to look a bit stupid wearing his shirt otherwise.. ?

 

[MJB]

I hope he stays and becomes a success. I’m going to look a bit stupid wearing his shirt otherwise.. [emoji16]

You could just say it’s inspired by something else...

 

[Common Villager]

I think Sam Long is a really useful squad player, much like Ruffels, as he can fill in a number of positions and put in 6 or 7 / 10 performances every week.

Honestly, though, I do think that we need to improve massively on both full backs next season. I'm not sure Long and Ruffels are good enough as first choice for a team (hopefully) looking to push for play offs in League 1. That's not to say either are bad players (far from it), I just think that in modern football it's important to have full backs that can overlap and be a real attacking threat as well as defend well.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

Re Hanson, can the forum please start sponsoring players who many people would actually quite like to see leave the club, or at least not make it off the bench? This curse is getting silly.

Fair play to Long. I never really thought he looked good enough in bygone seasons when he’d make his handful of appearances, but he’s really helped shore things up lately. Needs to finish the season strongly and prove that he can stay fit as well - far too many injuries in the past.

 

[mooro]

Is Longie he the new Sam Ricketts??

 

[yellowbow]

Is Longie he the new Sam Ricketts??

Or was Ricketts the old Sam Long..?

 

[Marked Ox]

Or was Ricketts the old Sam Long..?

Nah, Sam Long is the new Garry Smart.

 

[Foley]

Is Longie he the new Sam Ricketts??

Not sure what you quite mean there.
Ricketts from memory was a very attacking full back who went on to play in the Championship. He left oufc at a young age having played what a handful of games for the club.
Very different from Long on all counts although I am clearly missing your point ?

 

[Sarge]

Nah, Sam Long is the new Garry Smart.

I rate Sam Long .... though Sam hasn't yet started to assimilate Gary Smart's multitude of valuble goal-line clearances from set pieces, yet. I've a feeling Sam, unlike Gary Smart, will weigh in with the odd goal now and again...Gary Smart, if memory serves, never scored for the Us ? .... Gary Smart was a damn good defender though

 

[mooro]

Not sure what you quite mean there.
Ricketts from memory was a very attacking full back who went on to play in the Championship. He left oufc at a young age having played what a handful of games for the club.
Very different from Long on all counts although I am clearly missing your point ?

Underrated/dismissed by many as a youngster but eventually matured into a decent player

Just for information - Ricketts made 45 league apps for Oxford with 1 goal // prior to this season Long had made 18 apps, also with 1 goal

 

[SteMerritt]

again...Gary Smart, if memory serves, never scored for the Us ?

That's right, but I was there when he damn near did against Derby at The Baseball Ground. Two yards out, but he trod on the ball... Excitement must have got the better of him.

 

[Sarge]

That's right, but I was there when he damn near did against Derby at The Baseball Ground. Two yards out, but he trod on the ball... Excitement must have got the better of him.

I was at that game too