ARTICLE: Long gone at Birmingham

[ClaretTony]

Thanks to those who highlighted that I'd missed Chris McCann & Kevin McDonald yesterday. Now added with this article along with Kevin Long.

See link
https://www.uptheclarets.com/long-gone-at-birmingham

[warksclaret]

Somewhat surprising he was not retained by Birmingham. Think Long was happy staying at Burnley for far too long, and this may have cost him the chance of securing a longish term contract with another club. Like Lowton he will find it very difficult to gain a decent contract next season

[ClaretTony]

Somewhat surprising he was not retained by Birmingham. Think Long was happy staying at Burnley for far too long, and this may have cost him the chance of securing a longish term contract with another club. Like Lowton he will find it very difficult to gain a decent contract next season

I think Lowts should be ok. He’s nearly 350 league games under his belt so will offer experience. I was surprised Long was released but you have to wonder where next for him.

[CoolClaret]

Think it'll be a wages thing for Brum with Long - they're skint aren't they? Especially with the stadium rebuild costs looming

[randomclaret2]

Think it'll be a wages thing for Brum with Long - they're skint aren't they? Especially with the stadium rebuild costs looming

Haven't they just been taken over ?

[SammyBoy]

My gut feeling is that Long can get more money elsewhere rather than he's been released because he's not up to it.

[Foshiznik]

Would be too surprised to see him turn up at a top League 1 team or in a even lesser quality league like the SPL.

[NottsClaret]

He got more appearances this season for Birmingham than he did in any season for us in 12 years. And he only joined them in January.

[Pearcey]

The Birmingham fans seem to like him. The Barnsley fans liked him when he went there too. Maybe Duff will take him.

[Claretitus]

There won’t be many people around deemed not very good at their job, who drive around in a Mercedes AMG GT.

[bfcmik]

My gut feeling is that Long can get more money elsewhere rather than he's been released because he's not up to it.

Birmingham fans liked him and he put in some solid performances according to the Blues fans I play football with. They've released all their top earners apparently. Several players were on around £45k-£50k per week allegedly which was a totally unsustainable business model for them

[jdrobbo]

Barnsley with Duffo?

[fatboy47]

I know two Brum fans.. Both rate Long very highly. Both presume the reasons for his departure are financial.

[elwaclaret]

I know two Brum fans.. Both rate Long very highly. Both presume the reasons for his departure are financial.

Must admit I thought it might be that, but I also thought they were about to be taken over by American investors… so wondered if it was because of discrepancy in dates, as they say they may yet speak to some of the deportees about re-signing during the close-season.

[ecc]

Small Heath Alliance is one of the main Blues' forums.

Opinions on there consistent with the above.

https://www.smallheathalliance.com/read.php?1,3362624

[hetheclaret]

Birmingham fans liked him and he put in some solid performances according to the Blues fans I play football with. They've released all their top earners apparently. Several players were on around £45k-£50k per week allegedly which was a totally unsustainable business model for them

It is probably partly financial, yes, but the one or two Blues fans I know said he was a bit of a laughing stock among some supporters - a cult hero but for the wrong reasons.