Birmingham City v QPR

KEVIN LONG: A LOT OF POSITIVES
Kevin Long was able to see bright signs
despite the frustration of Tuesday night’s
defeat to Preston North End.
Blues dominated large periods of the match
away to the Sky Bet Championship leaders and
took a deserved lead within 60 seconds of the
restart, as Jay Stansfield struck his third goal in five
appearances since arriving on loan from Fulham last
month.
However, an own goal and a second suckerpunch
from the Lilywhites, when striker Miilutin Osmajic
scored midway through the second-half, produced a
scoreline that did not accurately reflect the balance
of play at Deepdale.
The defender has played every minute of Blues’
seven league matches following his return to the
Club back in June.
Speaking to BluesTV post-match, Long gave his
reaction to the defeat in Lancashire, highlighting
the positives to be taken from Birmingham City’s
performance.
“It is frustrating. I felt for large parts of the game
we controlled it, went one-nil up and I felt we
dictated the play well. Our attacking players showed
up and we were getting in really good spaces - we
controlled the game.
“We were unfortunate to concede a goal the
way that we did and then to concede another one,
ultimately, we are coming away with a 2-1 loss which
is frustrating because we played really well.”
He added: “There is a lot to take from tonight,
there’s definitely a lot of positives. That is what we
are going to concentrate on.”
John Eustace’s team are back in action with
tonight’s hosting of Queens Park Rangers under the
lights at St. Andrew’s - and in front of the Sky Sports
cameras.
This fixture is Blues’ third in precisely seven days
and Long pinpointed some areas of improvement
for the R’s clash and how managing the schedule is
all part of the Championship’s tapestry.
“We need to work on those things like having a
little bit more composure when there are equalisers
in the game or things like that and it is something
we are going to try and be better at.
“We have to [pick ourselves up]. We have got a
game again on Friday, we don’t have a choice. We
had a little chat in the dressing room afterwards
and this game is behind us now. We have to go again
Friday, that is the Championship, there is no time to
dwell on anything.”
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