The Saints forward has scored just three goals in the past two seasons.
Southampton striker Shane Long has acknowledged the criticism aimed his way from some quarters and admitted that he has taken a break from Twitter in a bid to stop seeing negative feedback.
The 32-year-old has been with the Saints since his move from Hull City in the summer of 2014 and has scored 28 goals and registered 22 assists in 173 appearances, according to Transfermarkt.
Long is currently in the midst of a dry patch, with just three goals in the past two seasons (The Irish Independent), and despite being a veteran in the game, he suggested that he needs to get his confidence back up and the rest should follow.
Speaking to the outlet, he said: “I know the fans of Southampton like the way I work for the team but there’s always that argument, ‘He doesn’t score enough goals’. You’ve got to accept that as well.
“Coming off Twitter has been good for me. I’m my own worst critic, I know what I’ve done well and what I need to improve on. Those people writing on Twitter can’t change it. It’s only me who can change it. I’m trying to train hard and improve things… but I think a lot of it is down to confidence. I’ve got to believe in myself first of all and then others will believe in me.”
Long, who has also turned out for Reading and West Bromwich Albion over the course of his career and has won 82 caps for the Republic of Ireland, is contracted to the St Mary’s Stadium outfit until 2020 (Transfermarkt).
The centre-forward featured in the 2-0 Premier League win over Southampton and is likely to be involved when Ralph Hasenhuttl’s charges travel to Manchester United on Saturday afternoon.
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