Coco Pops and a prayer do the trick for West Brom striker Shane Long

Oct 2 2011 by Gregg Evans, Sunday Mercury

SUPERSTITIOUS Albion striker Shane Long has revealed the secret of his pre-match routine – Coco Pops.

The cholcolate-flavoured kiddies’ cereal is on the Republic of Ireland international’s menu before every game as part of a ritual he follows religiously.

“I have a routine now which I stick to before every game,” he said.

“I get up quite early and have a big breakfast then we usually have a pre-match meal, but I don’t like playing on a full stomach so I gave Coco Pops a try and I now have them every time.

“The chocolate gives me the energy that I need, which is good enough for me.”

And the former Reading man makes sure he always does a few more things as kick-off approaches to try to guarantee a good showing.