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#3 Shane Long (Southampton)
Shane Long has hardly been the Premier League’s most prolific striker in recent years – his best effort was ten goals for Southampton in 2015/16 – but this season he’s struggled more than ever before.
The Irish international has only found the net once in the league this season despite starting in 12 of Southampton’s games and appearing a further 7 times as a substitute.
In 2016/17 Long famously ended a 23-game barren streak by scoring against West Bromwich Albion, but this season was almost as bad – his lone Premier League goal came against Crystal Palace on January 2nd – and it was his first for the Saints in the league since February 2017, when he scored in a 4-0 win over Sunderland.
With this kind of form, you’ve got to wonder why Southampton keep the faith with him.
Not that their other strikers have been much better – the Saints have scored 28 goals in the league but only ten have come from their strikers – 1 from Long, 6 from top scorer Charlie Austin and 3 from Manolo Gabbiadini.
It’s simply not good enough and while they might finish safely due to their relatively solid back line, it’s imperative that they replace the misfiring Long in the next transfer window.
