West Brom boss Roy Hodgson warns Shane Long tougher times are ahead
Thursday 24th November 2011, 4:01PM GMT.
Hawthorns goal hero Shane Long was today warned tougher times are ahead – because of his instant impact at West Brom.
Boss Roy Hodgson praised the Republic of Ireland international’s flying start to his Baggies career but warned him rising expectations will bring added pressure.
Hodgson said: “It’s good he’s settled in so quickly but now people will expect more of him, so there will be an expectation which can be problematic for players.
“It’s much easier for players while they are making that journey up. But when people say ‘he’s good,’ it’s a lot harder to do it time and again.
“He started like a house on fire but then had to come to terms with this level, but it’s generally been a very quick adjustment after only four months of Premier League football for us.
“He’s done well and he can be very pleased with himself, although there are many more games to go and it will be harder for him.”
Hodgson paid tribute to Long for returning just a month after cracking a bone in his knee in the derby win at Villa.
The Baggies boss said: “It’s a mark of the player in how desperate he is to play and how keen he is to get out there.
“It’s a good quality to have as far as his manager is concerned, because you want players who are desperate to get out there and you want players who will play even through slight problems.”
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