Published: Thursday, 31st December, 2009 3:00pm

Long bids farewell to `nightmare' 2009

by Anthony Smith

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SHANE Long cannot wait to see the back of 2009 and has vowed to hit the goalscoring trail in the New Year.

Long has endured a miserable 12 months with the Royals after missing out on promotion to the Premier League in last season's play-offs and failing to score in the current campaign.

And the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland striker also suggests he has let the side down with his recent performances, none more so than during Monday's shambolic 4-1 defeat at struggling Plymouth Argyle.

"I definitely won't be sorry to see the back of 2009, what with the start of the season we've had and everything else," stated Long.

"It's been a bit of a personal struggle I must admit and I still haven't scored this season. Hopefully I can put that right over the next 22 games.

"I think every player has had their chance this season but from a personal point of view I haven't taken it.

"With Brian McDermott coming in I really want to perform for him, but I haven't done it.

"I think a lot of the lads want to keep Brian in the job but it hasn't happened for us, especially at Plymouth.

"Personally I was well under par but every player needs to look at himself and admit they didn't put in their best performance."

And Long had no excuse for the team's embarrassing display at Home Park which came after a couple of spirited 1-1 draws with Bristol City and Swansea City.

"We weren't good enough all over the pitch, it's as simple as that," argued the former Cork City striker.

"It's a shame because we knew we had to win the Plymouth game. The games against teams around us are the most important ones of our season. But we just didn't turn up and I can't explain why.

"We played well at Bristol City and should have beaten Swansea on Boxing Day. Maybe we went to Plymouth thinking we were going to win because there was confidence in the side.

"The build up was good so to put in a performance like that was most disappointing. Everyone knows it wasn't good enough and I just feel sorry for the supporters who had to watch a performance like that."

The defeat saw Reading slip to 20th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone with more than half of the season gone.

And when asked if this season is becoming a battle for Championship survival, Long replied: "It is now. I don't think we should be where we are because looking back there are a lot of games we should have won.

"If you look at the players we've got we're definitely a good side but it's just not happening on the pitch.

"We just haven't done it and I think we need that little bit of luck and a cutting edge.

"In our last three games we've gone 1-0 behind but as a striker we also have to look at ourselves because we're not scoring goals either.

"Looking on the bright side, things can only get better."

If things are to get better then Reading will have to improve the hard way, starting with Premier League giants Liverpool in the FA Cup this weekend followed by three daunting league fixtures against promotion-chasing Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United.

And Long stressed: "We've got to put Plymouth behind us. We've got to kick on and put it down to one bad performance.

"It was one of those days and we have to look to Liverpool now. We need a performance to get our confidence up. A win there may turn things around for us and put the stride back in our step.

"Everyone will be up for Liverpool. You never know, if we can beat them we move on to Newcastle.

"Maybe we need a big game to motivate us and get us back on track because the quicker we get that winning feeling again the better."