Shane Long cut a frustrated figure in the 82nd minute of Southampton's defeat to Man City on Saturday evening.
The Irish striker had just suffered one of the great ignominies which a footballer can experience - being a substitute who is substituted.
Long had replaced Jame Ward-Prowse with an hour gone at St. Mary's, just five minutes after Vincent Kompany had given Man City the lead.
22 minutes later, after Sergio Aguero had extended Man City's advantage to 3-0, Long was called ashore by Claude Puel.
Why was Shane Long substituted against Man City?
As he walked by the Southampton bench, Long stopped for a few brief words with the backroom staff.
Assistant manager Eric Black appeared to suggest that Long had a hamstring injury. Glenn Hoddle, on commentary for BT Sport, said that he had observed Long stretching and feeling his hamstring shortly beforehand.
The discussion finished with Long walking down the tunnel and Puel getting off the bench and throwing his arms to the air.
After the game, Puel explained that the substitution had been the result of some confusion. The Southampton staff believed Long had sustained a hamstring injury wanted to be replaced - that was not the case.
Puel told the Southern Daily Echo:
It was difficult. It seems that Shane felt a touch himself his hamstring and it seems a misunderstanding between him and the staff.
It was a precaution to take off Shane but I hope it’s nothing and it will be good for Shane tomorrow or the next day.
