Defender Aiming For 'Long' Run

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Kevin Long is eyeing a quarter-final place as Clarets look to add to cup history

2021-02-09T08:56:07.849Z

Defender Aiming For 'Long' Run

Kevin Long is eyeing a quarter-final place as Clarets look to add to cup history

2021-02-09T08:56:07.849Z

Kevin Long wants to join the Clarets’ history-makers by helping to secure an FA Cup quarter-final spot.

Burnley take on Championship promotion-chasers Bournemouth at Turf Moor with a place in the last-eight the prize.

The Clarets haven’t got that far in the competition since 2003 and have only been in the quarter-finals three times since losing to Tottenham in the final itself in 1962.

Sean Dyche’s current crop of Clarets have set new landmarks for the club during the Premier League era and again have one eye on prolonging their top-flight status.

But having beaten MK Dons and Fulham to reach this stage, Long is also looking to add another chapter to the Clarets’ FA Cup story.

“If we beat Bournemouth you’re in the quarter-finals and one step away from Wembley in the semis,” said the Clarets’ defender, who scored one of the goals in a 3-0 win at Fulham to set up Tuesday evening’s fifth-round tie.

“Hopefully, we can perform to the levels we know we can and go and get that win.

“I know all the lads want a good cup run.

“We’ve been trying for a while and it’s never quite worked out. Hopefully, this is the year we can make it happen.

“We all want to be part of that and create that piece of history.”

The Clarets – like Bournemouth – are still engaged in a busy schedule with vital league points up for grabs.

Dyche also has a number of injury problems to contend with ahead of a trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday and then back-to-back games against bottom-three sides Fulham and West Bromwich Albion.

But Long was among those that seized their chance to play and impress in the last round at Craven Cottage.

And if the manager shuffles his pack again, the Republic of Ireland international will be ready to step up once more if the call comes.

“When we have a fully fit squad here I think we have a great squad,” Long added.

“When you’re not playing in the Premier League, when the cup run comes around the manager might make a few changes and I think the lads are itching to play.

“You saw with the level of the performance at Fulham that the players are more than ready and everyone is working hard behind the scenes.

“Everyone is itching to get their chance and we want to show that.

“If the team that played against Fulham plays again against Bournemouth we’ll try our hardest and we want to go and win the game.”

Read a feature on Kevin Long's time at Turf Moor in tonight's 'Turf' match programme - available to subscribers to Clarets +