Long gone

I believe that was Longs last game on lone, how confident are we that Roberts/Lewin can fill that void for the run in? Personally I would like us to bring in a experienced Centre half on lone for the rest of the season. I think Lewin has been poor this season and lacked the capacity and quality to lead the youthful defence. Roberts has great potential but playing both Mawson and Roberts together at this time may eventually lead to errors due to their ability to manage the game.
Any thought's?

 

It's not his last game, he'll be here next week.

 

Yes sorry mate got my dates mixed up his lone is due to end on the 19th just before the Donny game. That being the case the question still stands. What would you do after the 19th?

 

If Nyatanga comes back we need to start adopting the Brazil 1970 philosophy.

 

Robbo for me. This is no longer a side without experience, the CM's are far now more effective defensively.

 

Much easier to come into a winning team so while I think it will be a blow, it's not going to be disastrous whoever comes in.

 

Massive concern for me.

Mawson still looks very error prone & I worry about him & Roberts together

 

I think Long has added some strength and experience. The way Pope tried to bully him, and lost says it all. We lacked the experience when attackers bullied us and I think he will be massively missed. However, I'm happy to give Roberts the chance. More eperience for him and with game time investment.

 

Roberts and Mawson not ready to play at side of each other just yet IMO,it will come but just not yet.
Lewin seems to have lost confidence in himself and is out of the running just yet again IMO.
Other clubs will be more relaxed about loaning us their better calibre players now we playing g well than they would have done a couple of months ago.so if lo g doesn't or can't come back I think we should look elsewhere as we need someone IMO.

 

Loan market to be utilised I would say.

 

It'll be interesting* to see how we cope without him. He's an absolute class above anything else we've got, or had for a while. A proper in your face defender, who can play a bit, too.

*worrying

 

agree, and he had an excellent game today.

 

If one of our centre halfs get injured after Long goes back we will be short on options. I would like to think that a centre half with proven experience on the fringes of a Championship team might be tempted by a play off push and a possible trip to Wembley

 

Think Mawson is playing well again. Had a good game today. Could be that Lewin is the weak link. Roberts a big strong lad and would go with him

 

Just hope we keep on winning so whichever one is chosen will be coming back into a winning side full of confidence.

That confidence rubs off as we have already seen.

 

Roberts should watch the video of Longs performances last few games. I like Roberts and Mawson but with them both being young they can learn a lot. Long gave a master class in centre half play vs a strong physical striker. Did anyone notice Pope and Long give each other a hug at half time. Almost a show of respect for the personal dual they had.

 

Roberts did well when he replaced Mawson at Bradford. Having Long alongside makes a big difference but Roberts had a good scrap with the Bradford forwards and their way of playing was similar to Bury. Is there no way at all we could retain Long beyond 19th Feb?

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Long and Mawson have developed the ability to cover for each other when something may be going wrong.

Without one of them we may lose our strength at the back, whoever it is that replaces Long.

Long, from an average start, has proved to be excellent.

 

He's earned a day out at Wembley, there must be a way.