Shane Long talks all things West Brom & issues motivational promotion message to players

Shane Long talks all things West Brom & issues motivational promotion message to players…

• “Hopefully Dike’s injury is something the players can rally around, and even use as motivation for the rest of the season; you know, do it for him… make sure he’s returning to fitness as a Premier League player.”
• “I know there were rumours around Liverpool and Tottenham but I don’t know how serious they were… but I met with Roy Hodgson and that conversation was enough for me to make up my mind.”
• “They’re sitting in fifth place at the moment, and you’ve got to say at this point, they’re going to find themselves in the play-off spots. There’s so much quality within that squad, and I think that depth will stand them in good stead in this run-in.”
• “They’ve got a bit of everything, really, in that squad, but if you’re asking me which player excites me the most, it’s between Diangana and Johnston.”
• “Hopefully Dike’s injury is something the players can rally around, and even use as motivation for the rest of the season; you know, do it for him… make sure he’s returning to fitness as a Premier League player.”
• “Romelu [Lukaku] just absolutely ripped it up in that season with us… it’s just crazy to think he was only 19 at the time, as well. He was scoring goals for fun; he was big, he was strong, he held the ball up well… we complemented each other well because he was the focal point, and I was the busy bee, just constantly running around, trying to make things happen.”

Liverpool & Spurs were interested in me, but one chat with Hodgson and I was sold on WBA

I told my agent at the time [while playing for Reading] who I told I didn’t want to hear anything unless there were concrete moves on the cards. I know there were rumours around Liverpool and Tottenham but I don’t know how serious they were, but West Brom were the ones who came out after my time at Reading and really wanted me to join them. I met with Roy Hodgson and that conversation was enough for me to make up my mind; I knew I’d get more playing time there, rather than sitting on the bench at one of the bigger teams.

We had a great group of lads at West Brom, it was an incredible dressing room to be a part of; Roy had us playing solid football and we caused a few upsets along the way. That team kind of rid the club of its yo-yo status; we became an established Premier League side and it was a really enjoyable part of my career. We fancied ourselves against all of the big teams, I can remember us beating Chelsea at home, and – of course – that 5-5 against Manchester United on the last day of the season.

A promotion message to West Brom players: do it for Daryl Dike

Things have been really up and down for West Brom over the last few years, so it’s nice to see them playing attractive football again. I think they’ve lost just one of their last 10 games, which is a great run to be on, particularly at this time of the season, in this division. Each win breeds confidence, and the fact the games come so thick and fast, all of a sudden you could find yourself six points better off in the space of four days, and that’s absolutely huge.

They’re sitting in fifth place at the moment, and you’ve got to say at this point, they’re going to find themselves in the play-off spots. There’s so much quality within that squad, and I think that depth will stand them in good stead in this run-in.
That’s where I think Hull might struggle; they’ve got a good core of around 14 or 15 players, but beyond that, they’re probably making ends meet just a little bit, and that could hurt them in the long run.

The West Brom fans are brilliant; they love good football, and they support a team which really should be in the Premier League. There’s a lot of excitement around the club at the moment, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the play-offs pan out, because three of my former clubs could be in among it!

Grady Diangana excites me, as does Mikey Johnston, obviously… I like to see him doing well. He’s such an exciting player, and someone who really does make things happen. John Swift is a top player, as well; he’s someone who can cut teams apart, and make things happen. You’ve also got Jed Wallace, who has always been a threat; he knows the game well, and then they’ve got so much experience at the back. They’ve got a bit of everything, really, in that squad, but if you’re asking me which player excites me the most, it’s between Diangana and Johnston.

It’s such a shame to see Daryl Dike out again with another long-term injury; he reminded me a little bit, actually, of Romelu Lukaku. I played against him when he was at Barnsley and he’s such a tough opponent; a great goalscorer who, once he gets going, is so hard to stop. But with those big legs and that power and speed, comes injuries.

Hopefully Dike’s injury is something the players can rally around, and even use as motivation for the rest of the season; you know, do it for him… make sure he’s returning to fitness as a Premier League player.

You probably could look at this team and say they could do with a goalscorer… but that being said, if they’re not scoring goals, then they’re obviously doing something pretty special at the other end of the pitch and keeping plenty of clean sheets. Overall, it’s been a great team effort so far this season, you’ve got to say.

Playing with Lukaku…

Romelu [Lukaku] just absolutely ripped it up in that season with us… it’s just crazy to think he was only 19 at the time, as well. He was scoring goals for fun; he was big, he was strong, he held the ball up well… we complemented each other well because he was the focal point, and I was the busy bee, just constantly running around, trying to make things happen.

But whenever Romelu was in and around the box, he just stood out. He was a huge presence; it was always going to be hard for West Brom to keep hold of him, especially when the bigger clubs in the division started showing interest. How he didn’t break through at Chelsea – even at that age – is beyond me, to be honest. He was that good.

He’s obviously doing well out in Italy now, and his record for Belgium is incredible. He’s proven; people always talk about the need for proven goalscorers… well, he’s one of them, so I’m sure a few teams will be looking at him as a potential option in the summer. He was hot and cold at Man United, things didn’t really work out at Chelsea, but he was brilliant at Everton. I’m sure people will be looking at him. You know, he’s 30 years old now, he’s got a lot of years left in the tank, and so much experience. I hope a Premier League team takes another punt at him.