McDermott: 'Long is an unsung hero'

Anthony Smith • Published 11 Sep 2010 18:30 Comments 1 Comment

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ROYALS boss Brian McDermott hailed Shane Long as an 'unsung hero' after the striker inspired his side to a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

Long won two penalties, converted one and was a constant thorn in Palace's side as Reading claimed back-to-back Championship wins and extend their unbeaten run to four games.

He even gave up the chance to grab his second penalty of the day when he handed fellow Irishman Ian Harte the chance to mark his debut with a goal, an invitation gratefully accepted.

And Jimmy Kebe crowned a fine afternoon's work for McDermott's side by netting a stylish third in stoppage time.

Royals boss said: “Playing up front on your own against two guys like Palace's centre-halves is really difficult.

“But Shane is getting better and better. He's an unsung hero and people don't see what he does for the team.

“He wins his headers and holds it up. He got two penalties today and I was delighted with him, as I was the whole team.”

He added: “I thought Palace were decent. It sounds flippant after winning 3-0 but they passed the ball well but we were more clinical.

“Brian Howard had a chance at 2-0 as well so it was really pleasing, especially after happened with Gylfi Sigurdsson. It was important to get three points.”

With injured players benefiting from a the two week international break there was just one glaring change to the side which won 2-1 at Leicester City a fortnight ago.

That saw Harte come in for Sigurdsson whose record £7 million sale to Hoffenheim has angered legions of fans.

But on this evident Royals can cope without their former goal-scoring Icelandic ace.

It took McDermott's men a while to assert their authority, but when they did Palace were made to look second best all over the pitch.

George Burley's side may have gone in front early on when Patrick McCarthy blazed over from point-blank range from a poorly-defended corner.

It was the beginning of a nightmare afternoon for the Palace skipper.

It was his clumsy challenge on Long that led to the opening penalty and the 36th minute breakthrough.

Long cut in from the left and showed McCarthy a clean pair of heels before being bundles to the ground.

Referee Keith Hill pointed to the spot and Long sent Julian Speroni the wrong way for his first goal of the season and first since April.

Jem Karacan, who had an outstanding game, almost grabbed a second with a long-range thunderbolt, and Jimmy Kebe hit the side netting.

But it still took a wonderful reflex save from Adam Federici to deny Andy Dorman just before the break to preserve Royals lead.

Palace almost levelled early in the second-half when substitute Paulo Counago was an inch from connecting with debutant James Vaughan's cross in front of an open goal.

However, McDermott's men extended their lead soon after with their second penalty of the afternoon on 64 minutes.

Karacan was instrumental in setting Long free before Julian Bennett slid in from behind.

Bennett appeared to get some of the ball, but Hill pointed straight to the spot again.

This time Long unselfishly handed over the duties to Harte, who calmly placed it beyond Speroni's reach and into the bottom corner.

Former Republic of Ireland and Leeds United defender Harte clearly impressed McDermott: “I didn't notice nay nerves from him on his debut,” he said.

“Some of his passing to Brian Howard in the first half was top draw. He's calm an assured and he can score goal.

“I think he's going to be a great acquisition. He's great guy around the dressing room as well.”

And he added: “We've got three now - Shane, Ian Harte and Brian Howard.

“As far as I'm concerned I don't care who picks it up as long as they score.”

Shaun Cummings, who had switched to flanks to right-back to accommodate Harte, then went close and Brian Howard missed the target when it looked easier to score.

But Kebe polished off a finer afternoon's work by the Royals with an excellent finish in injury-time after a breakaway orchestrated by Howard.

With players coming back from injury and Harte and Zuran Khizanishvili brought in to bolster the defence, McDermott stated: “People said it would be a headache. But a headache was Leicester when we had no centre-halves or full-backs on the bench.

“Everyone of those players like Zurab, Noel Hunt and Simon Church were delighted with that result today. They're all going to play a part.

“I listen to managers talk about what they haven't got and that they need a couple more players. Well, sometimes it's best to work with what you've got because you don't know what's at your own club.”

Royals travel to Millwall on Tuesday night (7.45pm ko).

Reading (4-5-1): Federici - Cummings, Mills ©, Pearce, Harte - Kebe, Gunnarsson, Karacan, McAnuff, Howard - Long (Church 89). Subs not used: McCarthy, Williams, Khizanishvili, Antonio, Robson-Kanu, Hunt. Booked: Mills 10, Howard (foul 89).

Palace (4-5-1): Speroni - Clyne, McCarthy ©, Gardner, Bennett - Danns, Dorman (Counago 46), Marrow (Cadogan 66), Garvan, Djilali - Vaughan (Andrew 80)

Subs not used: Price, Davis, Barrett, Holness. Booked: Vaughan (foul 15), McCarthy (foul 38), Bennett (foul 65), Clyne (foul 78).

Referee: Keith Hill (Hertfordshire).

Attendance: 17,291 (Palace 2,835)

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 13 Sep 10

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Steve Coppoff
Unregistered User
Sep 14, 14:59
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Keep eating your nuggets Longy!!! You might have been able to get away with it as a young fella but you are starting to display the effects of a junk food diet now you are getting older!!! Even Usain Bolt's chicken nugget lifestyle is starting to catch up with him!!!

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