Long helps keep Bees into playoff contention

Lyndon Lloyd , 3 March, 12comments | Jump to most recent

Chris Long scored twice on his first start for Brentford this evening as the Bees beat Huddersfield Town 4-1 to stay in the Championship playoff picture.

The 20 year-old striker is on a short-term loan with the London side and had already notched one goal before this evening leading manager Mark Warburton to extend his loan for another month.

Long's brace lifted Brentford back into the playoff places with the help of additional goals by Alex Pritchard and Jon Toral.

Elsewhere, another on-loan Blues striker, Conor McAleny, scored the third goal in Cardiff City's 3-1 win at Rotherham.

Reader Comments (12)

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Chris Gould
1 Posted 03/03/2015 at 23:12:43

Let's hope these loan experiences help one or both of them become our very own Harry Kane. Young professionals who are in their early 20s and still haven't broken through need look no further than Kane for inspiration. Keep believing lads!

Patrick Murphy
2 Posted 03/03/2015 at 23:30:37

I hadn't realised that Brentford were so well placed in the Championship, now that is what you call a competitive division with eight teams in contention for the play-off places - let's us all hope we don't have any first-hand experience of it any time soon.

Dave Abrahams
5 Posted 04/03/2015 at 08:50:14

Chris Long should be back here, we only have Kone as back up to Lukaku and he is'nt being Used in the league.

Long is another youngster who hasn't been given a chance by Martinez, even on the bench.

Sam Hoare
6 Posted 04/03/2015 at 11:01:53

Dave, no point bringing Long back as Martinez plays Lukaku every game and usually for all the game. Kone has had zero chance and Long would get even less.

Hopefully if he and McAleny can have good run-ins and score some more goals then they may persuade Martinez (or his successor!) that they can offer something to the first team.

One things is for sure is that we need more goals on the pitch. The burden placed on Lukaku is considerable at the moment.

Dave Abrahams
7 Posted 04/03/2015 at 11:37:53

Sam (6) I agree with you entirely, but what I'm saying is, if Lukaku or Kone are injured, we are left with no-one up front. I've also been asking for Long to be given a chance all season because I believe the lad is going to be a good player for us and he has a bit of devil about him like Naismith, will put himself about a bit. Yes, I know it won't happen... but I can try.

Sam Hoare
8 Posted 04/03/2015 at 11:50:20

Dave, I'm sure that he has a recall clause should we get injuries. Like you, i'd be keen to see the lad get a chance; he looks to have tenacity, a bit of pace and he knows where the goal is. Trouble is, he's never going to shift the 㿈M man unless he's injured and Martinez seems unwilling to play two strikers which I suspect may result in Long having to go elsewhere which would be a shame...

Peter Carpenter
9 Posted 04/03/2015 at 11:57:23

Don't worry about him, we don't need him or Kone. We get plenty of goals from midfield. Barry, Besic, McCarthy, Barkley... Oh, one between them! All season. All competitions. Perhaps that's because (apart from Barkley) they never go near the penalty area and hardly ever make runs past the forward and don't shoot.

Strangely, when Gibson came on against Leicester and played positive passes forwards, they started to get forward; I even saw McCarthy in the penalty area. Yes, I did! Just a shame the goalkeeper chose the same moment to start chucking them in his own net, I suppose.

It isn't a complicated game, Bob. Play positive passes forwards and get midfield players to make runs into the penalty area. Go on, see what happens.

Richard Reeves
10 Posted 04/03/2015 at 12:30:12

Gut feelings don’t hold much weight compared to logic, so this won’t mean much to many... but I’ve been saying for quite some time that this lad is a natural goalscorer and will be a big success with us. I base that on the very limited playing time I’ve seen of him and ...ahem... a strong gut feeling.

I also agree with Dave in that he should’ve had more of a chance this season Â– particularly when Lukaku was out of shape and form at the beginning of the season, and also at a time when Long was looking sharp after pre-season.

Mike Childs
11 Posted 04/03/2015 at 15:59:53

Great last paragraph Peter C.

John Maddock
12 Posted 04/03/2015 at 19:13:07

I was at Griffin Park last night with a guy that works for me Â– Bees fan. It was nice to see Chris play for 70 mins. IÂ’m not sure if he is quite up to it at the minute for the Premier League. However, his movement was very good, a few loose touches, and he does appear a little lightweight. All that aside, he took his goals very, very well.

I hope Brentford keep him for the rest of the season and take him for a season next year as he will develop well in the Championship. It will be a win-win deal for both clubs. The Bees fans are impressed with him so far.

He did play well, even though he was up front in a 4-5-1 system. From what I saw last night there is certain potential there and I expect to see him progress under Mark Warburton and Brentford.

Andy Meighan
13 Posted 04/03/2015 at 19:37:27

Took his first goal superbly. The experience will do him the world of good because the Championship is one tough league. Who knows, he might get a chance playing for us there soon the way this manager is carrying on...

Tim Greeley
14 Posted 05/03/2015 at 14:32:40

Our 2015-16 Championship strike force is shaping up nicely. Naismith, Barkley, Long, Osman and McAleny. Maybe pick up Dave Nugent or Danny Graham as well. I’m excited!!

And yes, should the unfathomable happen, then I think we keep Barkley. Everyone else of note gets sold but he stays to rebuild his reputation and his boyhood club. Gets us promoted back... THEN sold!

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