---
title: "Will Southampton miss Pelle against City?"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2015/11/26/will-southampton-miss-pelle-city/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Emery"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2015-11-26T17:12:24Z"
modified: "2015-11-26T17:12:24Z"
---

# Will Southampton miss Pelle against City?

The majority of the talk in the build-up to Southampton against Manchester City has been around one topic; Pelle being suspended.

The Saints forward will serve out his one match ban when his side travel to The Etihad to face Manchester City.This is because he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Stoke City last week in their 1-0 defeat at St,Mary’s.

Pelle was booked for kicking the ball away after the referee penalised him for handball and it was a rash decision that has cost him a suspension and keeps him out of a big away game for Southampton.

Ronald Koeman’s men are currently unbeaten away from home in all competitions this season and it will take some feat to be able to continue that run at The Etihad; especially given the fact that Pelle will not be in the Saints squad.

This leaves a considerable gap up front for Koeman to fill and he has a limited number of options to go with. Shane Long is the favorite for the spot, given he started against Stoke and is the only fit, senior centre forward at the club. Jay Rodriguez is still injured with a foot injury that is expected to rule him out for a number of months and Juanmi, who can play there, is far too inexperienced in England to play.

![Bryn Lennon/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2015/11/4981656123.jpg)

The only other real option for Koeman other than Long would be youth team forward Ryan Seager. The 19-year-old forward has made the bench a few times already for the first team this season but to give him a start away at Manchester City is far too premature in the youngsters development.

So, taking all of this into consideration, Shane Long should start against at the weekend. That then leaves the question; can he fill Pelle’s boots?

Well he is certainly a different type of striker to Pelle. The big Italian has nine goals this season but it has been his all-round play that has impressed fans and pundits alike. His ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play has been fantastic this season and the goals that have come from it are testament to his overall ability.

However, Shane Long is very different. The Irishman plays on the shoulder of the last defender and likes to make the runs in behind the defence, trying to create chances for himself using his evident pace. Something that, I think, could be a real asset against City.

With Vincent Kompany potentially missing the clash, Martin Demichelis is likely to start. Now, he is a decent defender, but he lacks pace. Something that Long has in abundance and could use to his advantage against the Argentine. This could prove to be a big factor in the game if the two of them line up for their respective sides and could even be the difference between the two sides and be what wins/loses the match.

**Can Shane Long fill in for Graziano Pelle?**