Kevin Long?

A possibility we might go back in for him maybe? We certainly need another centre back.

 

I haven't spoken to a Barnsley fan who doesn't think his presence was highly influential in turning our season around. Still only 25, he arguably fits our preferred player profile. But there are pro's and cons in regard to attempting to take him back on a permanent move - if Burnley are prepared to release him. The main advantage is that our defence will surely be under heavier pressure this season, as our players adapt to the higher level. Long's experience and craft could again have a very good influence on the further development of our young centre back pairing. But against that, having come from a high-achieving Championship side who are back in the Prem, he would surely want a guarantee of being one of the first choice centre backs. That may not do a lot for the morale of Alfie or Robbo, who might have to give way to him. Unless of course we switch to a 3-5-2, which I find hard to imagine given the success we've had with the current formation.

On the wider topic of recruitment, we seem now to be in that part of the close season where lots of folk put names up as suggestions for our recruitment targets. [This post is not one - we 'know' Kevin Long.] But as we know, there is a lot of sports science and analytical input in our recruitment process and I dare say a lot of the signings we have made in the last 12 months were names previously unknown to most of us. So it seems fairly pointless to me to put up these 'blue sky' suggestions, because there'll be a lot more thought going into who we sign. I understand the impatience though - we've just come out of one of the most incredible seasons we've witnessed for years, and I think we are all eager to see swift developments ahead of next season.

 

Well there's no fun (or posts) if we don't speculate or ask questions

I agree though, he would probably want to start so that might be an issue if we did choose to look at him.

 

Get him signed!


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Just a thought, Long and Roberts at Centre backs, Mawson Centre midfield

 

I'd be dead chuffed if we could bring Long back to the club. However, any player being signed this Summer will have a difficult job getting a place in our starting line up, especially if the out of contract lads re sign. Competition for places, allied to the team spirit, will certainly help in what is going to be an exciting season.

 

We'd be a bit naive not to change anything though, we did that with Richie in 2006 and struggled, this is arguably a better team with more potential but still, the Championship is a big jump, and I'd hope our objective would be more than simply just to keep our head above water.


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I'm not for one second suggesting we don't strengthen, which is why I'd love to see Kevin Long back at the club. However, any new players will have a battle on their hands to break into the starting eleven after the performances this calendar year.
I have every confidence in the club to bring in the right players and with Hecky & his staff to integrate any new signings into our current set up.

 

He'd play him up front

 

Why we've got the best two we've had since mccarthy and and Evans

 

I assume you wouldn't like to hear my plans for the rest of the team!

 

It would be great to get Long in aswell as having Mawson and Robbo here, but I doubt it would happen.
If Mawson is sold then I think we'll use that money to get Long back on a permanent. If not then we'll most likely look at a younger centre half from the lower leagues, e.g Pierre etc. Who can come in as cover and for development.

 

Brownhill was only ever here to cover scowerns injury. Scowern is the better player

 

How come he didn,t get in the team in front of him then.

 

Clearly he did as we made very little effort to keep him


But heckingbottom was quite right not keep playing brownhill. You don't change a winning team

 

You don't change a winning team