4 contract extensions

[chekhov]

Yes he'll be very well off, i just think a professional footballer should want to play football and have some drive to better themselves.

I see what you’ve saying. It could be, however, that he is bettering himself in ways that are not evident to you or me. In any event, he’s been a very handy and important member of our squad.

[jrgbfc]

Put it this way

Would you rather play a handful of games for BFC each season but then be able to retire at around 35 on a pension that you or I could only dream of

Or would you rather work for an extra 30 years

Long could have quite easily gone down to League one, even Championship and played every week but his financial future will now be secured for the rest of his life

Good luck to him

He could have earnt steady money playing in the Championship. I can see your argument but if it were me i'd rather go and play. I'd hate to look back when i retired and regret not pushing myself or hardly playing.

[Aclaret]

Why is it sad? I’m curious. I’m sure it’s not sad for Kevin Long, and I’m sure he has a fantastic life. And Burnley are lucky to have such a competent backup member of the squad who is happy to only play a few games a season.

Sad that he isn't ambitious to be playing regular football ? As a footballer it's quite a short career, hopefully he has no regrets at the end of it.

[Steve1956]

Really unfair. How many times has he let us down when called into action. I think there are lots of teams that would welcome anyone with Kev Longs attitude. To put the groundwork in week in, week out, knowing you probably won't play. Just so that when the call does come he is ready. He does it all with a smile on his face, you never hear of him causing trouble, or spitting his dummy. I'm sure he is one of those players appreciated far more by his team mates than the fans, simply because they get to see that attitude day in, day out, and it keeps the rest of them on their toes.
Well done Kev, I for one, am glad you'll be around for another couple of years at least.

At no point in my post did I say hes let us down,if he was my son I would have advised him to show some ambition in life instead of picking up a wage for doing.....well absolutely nothing really. Just my opinion

[Buxtonclaret]

From my non-expert perspective Kevin Long has been a loyal and vital member of our squad and should be appreciated for his service to the club. When he’s been called upon he’s stepped up to the plate and performed very reliably.
If there was a thread titled “unsung heroes” he’d be top of the list.
That’s my opinion.

Mine too.
Clubs, especially lesser well off clubs like ours, need the Kev Longs of this footy world.
Happy with all the extentions.

[warksclaret]

I heard 3 years ago what he was on. Not an outrage amount but far more than he would get at a lower level. I, for one, am happy to have him as cover. He has far more good games than poor ones even if he does have a mistake in him.

Would classify this as a THIRD PARTY FIRE & THEFT

[summitclaret]

Exactly this.

Also worth noting that the manager will have been pushing for these extensions and it is a clear sign of backing the manager from Alan Pace.

4th choice centre halves are difficult to find. No problem with having Kevin Long stay for longer for this reason.

I also have no problem with Kev as a 4th choice cb. Unfortunately he is our 3rd choice and I do have a problem with that. Just look what happened at the start of the season.

Looks now like we will only be signing a max of a right-footed winger and Bards and Tarks replacements in 2021.

Surely we need the young Tarks in this window.

[brunlea99]

At no point in my post did I say hes let us down,if he was my son I would have advised him to show some ambition in life instead of picking up a wage for doing.....well absolutely nothing really. Just my opinion

If he was my son, I'd tell him how enormously proud I was of him, to progess from Cork City to being a well respected member of an established Premier League team. Just my opinion.

[NewClaret]

Amazed by some of the comments on this thread.

Personally delighted by all four extensions.

[Steddyman]

I don't know why people are complaining. None of these players are bad players, they've all been good for us. Plus, if they do leave, we'll get a better fee for them.

[boatshed bill]

There's several reasons why extending Kevin Long's stay makes total sense.

[Dark Cloud]

I'm not deliberately knocking Kevin Long as he's clearly a very decent and loyal chap, but he's chosen and keeps choosing the "career" he wants to have and personally I don't get it. Yes, the money he's on will be darn good and yes he's very settled at the club and has been here years and contentment in your workplace goes a long way, BUT there has to be a time when he looks hard at things and thinks I want to be first choice and play week in week out and actually make a career I can truly look back on in years to come. And surely what happened in the first 7/8 games of the season showed both him and the club that he's a very decent CB, he's not quite PL quality and if we are forced into picking him for any number of games we'll clearly struggle to take points, exactly like we were doing. Personally I'd be looking at moving him on and getting some back up in that doesn't mean if Tarks or Mee gets hurt we have very little, or no chance of keeping clean sheets. Just my opinion like.

[Steve1956]

If he was my son, I'd tell him how enormously proud I was of him, to progess from Cork City to being a well respected member of an established Premier League team. Just my opinion.

And i respect your opinion,dont know if Long has any kids,but a conversation with his son could go like this,
I played professional football son
Wow who for dad
Burnley Fc for 12 years
Wow 500 games dad?
No 50
Were you always injured dad
No i was sub every game but the money was great
How disappointing dad....i'd want to play.

[SkiptonClaret]

Can’t blame Dunne for turning down a contract when Long was picked in front of him earlier in the season. Obviously not content with the Kev Long approach to a career. Not knocking Long - fair play to him, easy money isn’t it and doubtless very good money at that.

[Boss Hogg]

Or he could say he played in the Premier League and for his country. Instead of others who could have spent their career in lower leagues whilst clocking up more games. Even worse would be passing up an opportunity to play in the PL just to collect more cash such as players like Craig Bryson.

[NewClaret]

If he was my son, I'd tell him how enormously proud I was of him, to progess from Cork City to being a well respected member of an established Premier League team. Just my opinion.

Every single one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s successful sides had one of these players - not the most talented, but hard working and loyal; not always in the starting XI, but ready when called upon.

We measure success very differently to the United of that era, but to me Long is our equivalent.

If I were his Dad I’d tell him how proud I was that he’s showing personal qualities such as patience, perseverance and loyalty that have been long lost in this sport, and that his character is more important than his career.

[Steve1956]

There's several reasons why extending Kevin Long's stay makes total sense.

Is one of those reasons we are going to sell one of our prize assets and replace him with Long?

[boatshed bill]

Dunne hasn't really progressed since his loan to Hearts, totally understand him wanting to leave even if he has to drop a division or two.

[NewClaret]

There's several reasons why extending Kevin Long's stay makes total sense.

Vyds is leaving this window????

[Hedontplayforyou]

Is one of those reasons we are going to sell one of our prize assets and replace him with Long?

No it’s probably because he never kicks up a fuss, is a good professional and knows the system inside out

[boatshed bill]

Is one of those reasons we are going to sell one of our prize assets and replace him with Long?

No. I was thinking more along the lines of finding any experienced player prepared to remain as back-up to our nailed on first choice centre backs. We can't afford another Gibson fiasco.

[dandeclaret]

At no point in my post did I say hes let us down,if he was my son I would have advised him to show some ambition in life instead of picking up a wage for doing.....well absolutely nothing really. Just my opinion

What a ridiculous notion..... be ambitious son, stop striving to play at the highest level, and show some ambition and drop down the leagues to play at an easier level.


He's not picking a wage for absolutely nothing. You cannot be in a premier league squad and do nothing.

if some people had brains they'd be dangerous.

[Aclaret]

And there you go, a football message board with different opinions.

[Steve1956]

What a ridiculous notion..... be ambitious son, stop striving to play at the highest level, and show some ambition and drop down the leagues to play at an easier level.


He's not picking a wage for absolutely nothing. You cannot be in a premier league squad and do nothing.

if some people had brains they'd be dangerous.

Thanks...I never said drop a division.

[dandeclaret]

Thanks...I never said drop a division.

Ah so just pick which premier league club you're going to play for every week?

[Steve1956]

Has Long been a successful footballer
OR
Been paid vast amounts of money for doing very little?

[Steve1956]

Ah so just pick which premier league club you're going to play for every week?

No hes not good enough...that's why he never plays

[brunlea99]

And i respect your opinion,dont know if Long has any kids,but a conversation with his son could go like this,
I played professional football son
Wow who for dad
Burnley Fc for 12 years
Wow 500 games dad?
No 50
Were you always injured dad
No i was sub every game but the money was great
How disappointing dad....i'd want to play.

You are now using pure conjecture to justify your view that Kevin is "stealing a living".

[Steve1956]

You are now using pure conjecture to justify your view that Kevin is "stealing a living".

So what.

[jrgbfc]

Every single one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s successful sides had one of these players - not the most talented, but hard working and loyal; not always in the starting XI, but ready when called upon.

We measure success very differently to the United of that era, but to me Long is our equivalent.

If I were his Dad I’d tell him how proud I was that he’s showing personal qualities such as patience, perseverance and loyalty that have been long lost in this sport, and that his character is more important than his career.

I'm not sure how much "loyalty" he's showing us. He's staying because we'll be paying him a lot of money for doing very little, which is fair enough.
Personally i respect Jimmy Dunne more for having the drive to want to go and better himself, even if it means earning less money.

[dandeclaret]

No hes not good enough...that's why he never plays

I'm lost then. You think that he should be ambitious and play more games, but not drop a division, but state he's not good enough to play every game at premier league level?

I don't understand your position any more. The equations you've set out don't work.

[Steve1956]

I'm lost then. You think that he should be ambitious and play more games, but not drop a division, but state he's not good enough to play every game at premier league level?

I don't understand your position any more. The equations you've set out don't work.

Ok see ya then !

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

When you count the number of contract extensions over the past few seasons and compare it with the number of players who wouldn't sign a new contract when offered (Jeff Hendrick was the only one that I remember), then "fiasco" is far too strong a word. BFC have a teriffic record of re-signing the players we want to keep.

Even if you throw in the departures of Lennon and Hart, "fiasco" remains too strong a word.

You are probably right but it’s good to see these issues getting sorted now and also hopefully it might see our manager signing a new deal soon!

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

I don't know why people are complaining. None of these players are bad players, they've all been good for us. Plus, if they do leave, we'll get a better fee for them.

Exactly this. All top flight performers who we would get a decent fee for.

[NewClaret]

I'm not sure how much "loyalty" he's showing us. He's staying because we'll be paying him a lot of money for doing very little, which is fair enough.
Personally i respect Jimmy Dunne more for having the drive to want to go and better himself, even if it means earning less money.

Depends what you mean by better yourself. Dunne might never see the Premier League again, Long may get extended runs, sub appearances, etc.

I see Long as offering loyalty because clearly our manager wants him as part of his squad and he’s willing show loyalty, keep working hard day in/out and be ready when he’s needed. You may choose to believe it’s due to money, but I have no idea what he’s being paid or what he’s get paid elsewhere, so I prefer to believe it’s because he loves being here as much as I would if I played for BFC.

[ksrclaret]

Long usually does okay for the first game or so when he's needed. Anymore than a couple of games though and it always becomes exceedingly obvious that's he's nowhere near the standard. Just off the top of my head I can think of two big mistakes that lost us the game against Bournemouth at home (17/18), and Brighton at home (19/20).

If he's fourth choice, fine. Our recruitment block means he'll probably be third choice minimum next season.

[box_of_frogs]

From my non-expert perspective Kevin Long has been a loyal and vital member of our squad and should be appreciated for his service to the club. When he’s been called upon he’s stepped up to the plate and performed very reliably.
If there was a thread titled “unsung heroes” he’d be top of the list.
That’s my opinion.

Totally agree. He’s always been ready and I’m happy to support such loyalty.

[buzzclarets79]

While I don’t mind the extensions offered and can fully understand why it is considered great news that players want to stay, like others have said it would maybe indicate that reinforcements aren’t on the way.
Problem with this is that we are going to be in a worse position down the line with the age of the squad we are going to be full of 32/33 yr olds with no or very little sell on value.
Might be good news today but it doesn’t bode too well for the future.

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

Ah so just pick which premier league club you're going to play for every week?

He would walk into any of the bottom 3. Not as their best CB but certainly better than their worst.

[boatshed bill]

While I don’t mind the extensions offered and can fully understand why it is considered great news that players want to stay, like others have said it would maybe indicate that reinforcements aren’t on the way.
Problem with this is that we are going to be in a worse position down the line with the age of the squad we are going to be full of 32/33 yr olds with no or very little sell on value.
Might be good news today but it doesn’t bode too well for the future.

Could we actually afford to buy replacements for these 4 players?
And could we find them?

[Steve1956]

Long usually does okay for the first game or so when he's needed. Anymore than a couple of games though and it always becomes exceedingly obvious that's he's nowhere near the standard. Just off the top of my head I can think of two big mistakes that lost us the game against Bournemouth at home (17/18), and Brighton at home (19/20).

If he's fourth choice, fine. Our recruitment block means he'll probably be third choice minimum next season.

The way it's going hes going to be first chioce

[buzzclarets79]

Could we actually afford to buy replacements for these 4 players?
And could we find them?

I hear you.
Our recruitment is really beginning to be real concern as it appears another window is going to close without improving the squad.

[Jakubs Tash]

I also have no problem with Kev as a 4th choice cb. Unfortunately he is our 3rd choice and I do have a problem with that. Just look what happened at the start of the season.

Looks now like we will only be signing a max of a right-footed winger and Bards and Tarks replacements in 2021.

Surely we need the young Tarks in this window.

Right now Long is 3rd choice just like he was in 17/18. But I think we will bring in 2 new centre halves in the next few months (if Tarkowski leaves) which will push Long back to 4th choice.

It’s a bit dramatic to suggest that we’ll only sign 3 players in the whole of 2021 at this stage.

[jojomk1]

Has Long been a successful footballer
OR
Been paid vast amounts of money for doing very little?

Regarding point 1
On the basis that he has played professional football at Premier League level and has represented his country then I would say he has been "successful".
Would someone who has played regularly at Championship level be thought of as better is a matter of opinion

Regarding point 2
Ask anyone if they would like to earn vast amounts of money for doing nothing and I think most would put their hand up to volunteer

[HollandsPies]

Dyche clearly doesn't know what he's doing.

[jtv]

What's the difference between Kevin Long's situation and a reserve keeper who knows that he hardly is going to play except for an injury to the first choice goalkeeper?

[Hedontplayforyou]

Some people forgetting that extending players contracts also adds to their value? Regardless of age. If for example we decided to purchase 2 new centre halves, this would then give us more chance of getting a decent fee for Kevin Long

[HollandsPies]

Has Long been a successful footballer
OR
Been paid vast amounts of money for doing very little?

I think Long HAS been a successful footballer. You don't get to sit on the bench in the Prem for several seasons as a result of being crap!
Your reference to him doing 'very little'. Not true, he must train his backside off all week only to miss 90 minutes of 'work'.
'Vast amounts of money'? Well that's the going rate.

[ten bellies]

Some proper Burnley fans on here. Whingeing as always. At key moments Long has filled the breach and continues to do so, Pieters has got better the longer he has been here, recently outstanding, Gudmundsson has been an asset and unlucky with injury. They all put it on the line for this club when asked.

[HollandsPies]

What's the difference between Kevin Long's situation and a reserve keeper who knows that he hardly is going to play except for an injury to the first choice goalkeeper?

Stop that right now jtv! You need to develop your ignorance a bit more.