There will be EFL-wide envy of Oxford United player - his exploits v Sheffield Wednesday will go down in folklore | OneFootball

Sam Long scored a later winner for Oxford United against Sheffield Wednesday 12 years after making his debut for the club

12 years after making his debut for the club, defender Sam Long scored the only goal in a vital win for Oxford United against Sheffield Wednesday, moving them ever closer to safety.

It hasn't always been smooth sailing for Long at Oxford, with the defender unable to fully break into the first team for a number of seasons.

The local boy has had to bide his time, playing in a number of positions across the back four as a stand-in.

But over the last few seasons, he has become as valuable as any other player in their rapidly improving squad. Showing that commitment, adaptability and passion for the club will get you further than you could imagine.

Sam Long's rise has mirrored Oxford United's

It's easy to say that players don't stick around at football clubs for long enough anymore. And in a lot of cases, that may be true. The average player certainly doesn't stay at the same club for as long as they did 20 years ago.

But not for Long.

The defender joined the club when he was eight. At that point, United were a mid-table League One side. As Long rose through the academy, United fell out of the Football League.

Just seasons before his debut, United managed to get their way back into the EFL, after beating York City in the 2010 play-off final.

Long's career has seen him play for United in all three divisions of the Football League. And now, the Bicester boy can say he's scored in all three EFL divisions as well.

The 30-year-old's career has mirrored Oxford's progression through the leagues perfectly, with the defender now looking as impressive as he ever has on a football pitch.

Every club needs a player like Sam Long

Football is as physically and mentally demanding as it's ever been. A side effect of that has been the decision to allow teams to make five substitutes per game.

Teams are seemingly unable to last a season with a 25-man squad and only three substitutes per game. The injuries that players pick up are evidence of the ever-advancing physical toll that football has on their bodies.

As a result, modern football requires the whole squad to be able to help pull in the right direction, not just the starting 11. With injuries sidelining players for months being guaranteed over the course of a season, the need for reliability and flexibility is at a premium these days.

Long is a perfect example of that.

At different points over the past two seasons, Long has played at right-back, left-back, centre-back, and as a central defender in a back three. And at no point has he looked out of place.

United are at a point now where, if any of their defenders get injured, fans know that Long will be able to slot anywhere in the defence and step up for the U's.

He is the sort of player that managers love to have. He won't always be a starter, but he will always be there when called upon. And no one will put in more effort than the local lad.

Long will go down as an Oxford legend for his last-gasp defending on the road to the League One play-off final, including a block off the line in the play-off semi-final second leg against Peterborough United, with seconds left on the clock.

Long's goal v Sheffield Wednesday goes a long way to securing safety

United's away form this season has left a lot to be desired. Rowett's side have just one win on the road this season, a 0-1 victory over Millwall on New Year's Day.

This unwanted record meant that the U's fans making the trip up North against Sheffield Wednesday weren't expecting much. But how wrong they were.

United put in a display that you might consider a vintage Rowett away performance. A long throw from former Wednesday man Will Vaulks, which seems to be the only way United can score a goal at the moment, was met at the back post by Long.

The defender anticipated a flick-on, and got to the ball before anyone else to head home the eventual winner, in front of the travelling Yellow army.

The win sees United move up to 17th in the Championship, on 48 points. Some U's fans are already confident enough that they will stay up, with others wanting another couple of points to be certain.

Six points separate Rowett's men from Cardiff City, who occupy the final relegation place. United face the Bluebirds on Easter Monday, in a game that could seal United's safety with a win in South Wales.

With four games to go, many of the teams in the relegation battle still have each other to face, which can only be good for the U's. With the sides below them taking points off each other, it only furthers the gap between Oxford and the rest of the pack.

With four games to go, it's looking optimistic for Oxford.

Long, the local lad, got that all-important goal at Wednesday that will mean he's remembered in Oxford folklore. He's also a reminder of the EFL-wide envy clubs will have over a versatile player that never lets his side down, yet still has these clutch moments.

Every team needs someone like Sam Long and Oxford are lucky to have him.