With regard to Long, since he came in I think that we have taken 27 points from 13 games conceding 11 (including yesterday). So to suggest that he is not good enough seems a little odd.
Garbutt has scored 4 and made goals during that time. Garbutt is a totally different player to Graham who has been struggling. KR became more pragmatic and when he brought in Garbutt on the left, we clearly tightened up and started winning games.
Regardless of other players, Nelson of course will be a huge miss and I doubt if anybody would disagree with that.
Not sure you can use the ‘we’ve got 27 points out of 13 games’ line to defend Long, but can understand why you did. I’m not saying Long is a poor player, I’m just saying that I don’t think he’s the answer if we want to improve and contend promotion next season and nor is Garbutt.
We need Baldockesque type of fullbacks e.g. overlapping, you know, like Robinson at Liverpool and err Baldock at Sheffield Utd! I just don’t think Long and Ruffels (to a lesser extent) offer this.
I think we need to ship out Henry (just not sure he fits into our shape anymore). Need to retain Nelson or at least find someone who is as good if not better.
We need to find that elusive striker, not sure Sinclair is him! And try and sign Graham or again someone like him if not better.
We’ve missed Kashi in the middle I think last few games. Someone with a level head with good passing decisions.
Get these positions sorted whilst retaining others e.g. Whyte, Sykes, Eastwood etc and we should be contending for the play offs at least next season.