Name: Shane Long
Position: Forward
Shane Long has been a constant thorn in a number of Premier League sides’ defences this season. Photo: Marc Atkins/Offside.
The Saints’ Irishman was the star of the show on the south coast last month, sealing Shoot’s award with his stand out performances.
Taking seven points from a possible 12, Southampton quickly recovered from the disappointment of defeat at champions elect Leicester City – where they were without Long – by crushing two of the Premier League’s struggling teams.
Either side of a 1-1 draw against Everton, Ronald Koeman’s men dismantled Newcastle United, 3-1, and already-relegated Aston Villa, 4-2, with the returning Republic of Ireland international notching in both matches.
Not only did Long find the net, though, he opened the scoring early on each occasion, setting the Saints on their way to comfortable victories with goals in the third and 15th minutes, respectively.
Capitalising on both sides’ typically shambolic defending, Long caused real problems with his pace, also teeing up three strikes for team-mates across the two games to keep Southampton in with a chance of stealing a European spot.
