Southampton’s Long aiming to lead by example in front of goal

Shane Long is not one to shy away from responsibility insisting the pressure of finding the net for his team only serves to drive him on.

The Saints seemingly have plenty of options up front with Long competing with the likes of Jay Rodriguez, Charlie Austin and Nathan Redmond for a starting spot in the team.

Despite creating chances, however, Southampton are one of the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season with 12 goals – only Burnley, Middlesbrough, Hull City, Sunderland and Swansea failing to find the net on more occasions.

(Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

And Long, who stepped up his return from a hamstring injury by appearing as a substitute in last Saturday’s goalless draw with Liverpool, knows the side needs to try and be more clinical.

“The manager brought up stats and we are creating the chances,” said Long.

“Some of them are hard chances, but we know as a team that we can take more of them, and it’s all over the pitch.

“Obviously the strikers are the ones who get the goals, but we’ve got players all over the pitch that can produce from set-pieces, corner-kicks and stuff like that.

“It’s a pressure we like to have. Being a striker I like to score goals, now that I’m back to full fitness that’s what I need to do.”