Source: Daily_Mail
Simon Cox delighted Shane Long has signed for West Bromwich
You could forgive Simon Cox if he was not jumping for joy at the news that Shane Long was on the verge of becoming West Bromwich's record signing on Monday night.[LNB]When he appeared before the media in Malahide, Cox was glued to his mobile initially, like the rest of us no doubt, awaiting confirmation from the Hawthorns that his former Reading and current Ireland team-mate has jumped the Royals' ship.[LNB]And the ramifications for one of the newest members of Giovanni Trapattoni's squad are quite serious.[LNB] Over the moon: Simon Cox is delighted Shane Long is joining him at West Brom[LNB]Out of the picture under Roberto di Matteo, and to a lesser extent Roy Hodgson last season, the 24-year-old Reading-born striker was looking forward to building on his explosive impact on the international scene in May and June.[LNB]But while he may have kept long-time friend Long out of the Ireland team in Macedonia, he is not expecting to maintain that once the ?7million man has landed in the Midlands.[LNB]Former team-mates at the Madjeski in Reading, the pair have only actually played together for 64 minutes there. And they have not featured for Ireland together as Long replaced Cox in the two final games against Macedonia and Italy.[LNB]Cox said: 'He will be a great addition to our team. You know he gives you pace and power and his record last year was very good. Hopefully he can come in and re-produce what he did at Reading last year.[LNB]'I don't think it will be between me and him. I think the manager is bringing him in to play with Peter Odemwingie so it is down to me to produce performances in training and to fight my way into the team.[LNB]'He was a bit-part player at Reading when I was there and only played a few games and a few sub appearances. He was similar to what I got last year but for this year has obviously been talked about a great deal and rightly so for the goals and his performances. If he keeps up what he did, I don't see why he can't be a hit for us.[LNB] Long haul: The Reading striker scored 25 goals in all competitions last season[LNB]'Working day-in, day-out, with the players we have at West Bromwich can only help him. The manager helped me immensely and he can do the same to Shane as well.' [LNB]The culmination of last season was so positive for the much-travelled Cox that he was desperate to get back to duty for this summer.[LNB]Bored at home, by his own admission, he returned to the training ground a week earlier than his West Bromwich team-mates.[LNB]And yet he sounds pessimistic about the chances of making an impact for Hodgson's side, who open the season against Manchester United this weekend.[LNB]'I just want to play in as many games as I can really,' Cox said when asked about his goals for the forthcoming campaign. 'In my position as a player, I am one who isn't starting every game and I have to accept that.[LNB]'It is about playing as many minutes as I can, and trying to get as fit as I can. I have to get as many goals as I can when I get my chance.[LNB]'I think a lot of my games will probably come late in the season, if at all, and in the cups. If the manager decides to send out a second string side then I might get my chance.[LNB] Got his man: West Bromwich Roy Hodgson has been tracking Long for weeks[LNB]'I will have to wait and bide my time but the manager decides. Roy Hodgson gave me more chances which in turn escalated in playing for Ireland. I rode that crest of the wave as much as I could and hopefully I can keep that going for this year.' [LNB]Cox, who qualifies for the Republic through his grandmother, was as stunned by his elevation to Trapattoni's squad as anyone.[LNB]Recommended by Hodgson, he starred in the Carling Cup triumph before heading out to Skopje and Liege. He returned for holidays in England a hero.[LNB]With a taste for the international high-life now, Cox, who scored against Scotland and Italy, has returned to the senior panel this week intent on making an impact again.[LNB]And Trapattoni's promise that all four recognised first choice strikers will get a run-out against Croatia is more encouragement for the Baggies' ?1.5million forward.[LNB]He added: 'When I came in I never expected to play at all, but to start the first one and then to get a goal was a massive boost.[LNB]'Obviously I knew with Shane being involved in the play-off final that he wouldn't be here, so it was just a matter of putting in a good enough performance but I thought Shane would come straight back in. [LNB] Matter of time: Cox's displays saw him partnered with Robbie Keane in Skopje[LNB]'I may have partnered Robbie Keane before, but I was untried with him in a qualifying game, and I had never played in one before so I thought Shane would start in Skopje. Thankfully the manager decided my performances were good enough for the qualifier.[LNB]'On a personal note it was great to finish with a goal, and to score against an Italian side who, with a bit of time together, could be really good, was great. I really enjoyed all four games.[LNB]'And it is getting easier being in the squad. I am still meeting a couple of the new lads today like Darron Gibson, Damien Duff and Richard Dunne who weren't here last time but it's quite easy to get to know them. I have been really looking forward to coming in because of how it went the last time.[LNB]'In every game every player wants to try to his stamp authority and push his own personal agendas. Hopefully that gives the manager a bit of a headache ahead of two most important qualifiers, to set us in good stead for the other two and hopefully towards qualification.'[LNB] CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEShane told to take the Long view by Trapattoni ahead of imminent Baggies switch Forest eye ?2m move for Miller but Boro set to miss out on Haroun All the latest news, features and opinion [LNB] [LNB]
