Long managed only two goals for Southampton last season – a figure already passed by Ings – but his new teammate believes his qualities still shine through.
Southampton knew they were getting two things when they completed a deadline-day loan of Liverpool’s Danny Ings: finishing and work rate.
The risk, of course, was his fitness and ability to play consistently – something he’s been unable to do ever since twice suffering serious knee injuries – but, in the end, Southampton decided that his qualities made it worth the risk.
Ings’ penalty against Brighton on Monday evening resulted in his third goal in his first five games for Southampton, moving him past the tally reached by Shane Long last season.
Long has come under criticism for his goal tally but his new strike partner has lept to his defence.
“As a striker in the modern game, you need a lot more than scoring goals to maintain it at this level,” said Ings, reports the Irish Mirror.
“If you score every chance you would be one of the best players in the world – there are not many of those around.
“What he brings to the team alongside that is just as important. His work rate, his effort. He’s been fighting with defenders, he’s crazy in the air, winning headers, and his work rate is exceptional.”
Long was much maligned last season as his poor tally stood out in a side whose top scorer managed just seven – but that shouldn’t be the case this year.
Ings looks like the finisher that Southampton have needed, taking pressure off Long and allowing his other qualities to take the spotlight.
Similarly, Ings, who shares energy and hard work as traits with Long, will only benefit from having someone alongside him to help out, leaving him to focus a little bit more of that energy on scoring goals and capitalising on Long’s work.
He may not score many goals, but Ings is completely right about the quality Long can bring – we can already see that Ings is already benefiting from it and long may that continue.
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