Kevin Long

[BleedingClaret]

Quite simply to me he looked good enough to be in the team in every way.
Strong, quick, good feet, competent passer, good in the air and confident considering his inactivity.
Add in the factor that he wasn't partnering Keane but Tarks who despite all the plaudits is still a rough diamond I think he should be considered as an option to be at least on the bench next year.
Depending on transfer successes or otherwise rather than buying 2 centre backs to complete the 4 you ideally need, as injuries and suspensions are normally a greater impact than they have been for us this year, I think 1 would suffice if we were settling for buying our 5th choice transfer target for example.
Not sure I've worded this too well, but I'm still suffering the effects of all the jelly and ice cream from Karma Party Sunday

[randomclaret2]

Considering just how little he has played, it was a superb performance. Incidentally, I suspect one or two Clarets are suffering with a Jelly and Ice Cream " hangover " today !

[Formerbfcmanager]

Ideally we need 4 centre backs I think. We've been lucky with injuries and suspensions over the last 2 seasons. Not sure if Kevin Long is good enough but I think a spell on loan in the Championship would be more beneficial for him than warming to bench and playing development squad games. I'd be worried if he was our first choice back up

[lucs86]

I'm more than happy keeping him as 3rd or 4th choice. I'd like us to try and sign a younger prospect for the position too, just to keep the production line going, look how Mawson's done at Swansea this year - he could easily be a player they make a lot of money on when he's sold.

[Tinribs]

Wasnt tested for 65 mins.they had one up front and didnt press us at all in our half.He wasnt put under any pressure until we scored and then West brom started throwing players forward and we conceded 2 in ten minutes.
Jurys still out for me with Long.

[jurek]

I think he should be given the chance and possibly start in at least one or both of our last two games.
He's had enough spells out on loan over the years and given his performance on Saturday might just
be able to make the step up.
We probably still need another centre half as most teams seem to have four at their disposal.
If he can make the step up then it would certainly save us a few bob, so to speak.

[vinrogue]

I don't see Long as a first choice, however on his performance against West Brom and the fact it was a first real competitive game since the old king died he would rightly fit my criteria of 3rd or 4th choice CB.

[boyyanno]

Great preformance from Long yesterday but I'll judge him on his overall time here rather than that one game. Thought he looked very error prone at championship level and he's never convinced me he's been good enough, the game on Saturday aside.

It's hard to believe he's 26 now, but at that age and with his little game time both parties should be looking to move on. I think he'll find his level at a championship struggler or a promotion winning league 1 side. Nobody wants to spend money in positions like this as it's not the first team, but in our current position we have a good chance to get some decent young lads in and develop them, as we've done with a few others. Longs development is up imo.

[Darnhill Claret]

We may have already unearthed a new young gem in Flowers.