Peterhead’s shot-stopper Brett Long is looking for the Blue Toon to get the better of Airdrie in tomorrow’s match at The Penny Cars Stadium.
The last time the two sides met it ended in a 3-2 win for Ian Murray’s side, however Brett is looking to learn from last time out and flip the result the other way around as he explained: “We have played them, we know what they are about and we you know how Ian Murray likes his teams to play. They are big on set pieces and they have a few dangerous players so we have done our homework and we are well prepared.”
“We also have to try and exploit any weaknesses they have and if we do that then hopefully, we can take a point if not three from the game”.
The former Dundee United and East Fife keeper joined the Blue Toon in the summer and has adapted well to playing in the north-east with the 24-year-old awarded Peterhead’s Player of the Month award for October.
Long was quick to thank his defence for helping him collect the accolade as he said: “It has been a great month for me personally. Three clean sheets out of the last four games is very hard to do in this league. It is obviously not just down to myself, the boys in front have played a massive part as well. I’m just happy we’re keeping clean sheets, picking up points and we’re starting to climb up the table.”
Jim McInally’s side are currently seventh in League One but remain undefeated in their past four outings include tough fixtures against Alloa, Falkirk and Montrose.
Long feels that due to the competitiveness of this league, momentum is key to climbing the table as he added: “This league is so tight. If you pick up a few wins you can fairly climb the table and showed recently with ourselves. We are obviously looking to keep that momentum going by working hard at training on a Tuesday and a Thursday which means we will be raring to go and looking forward to the game against Airdrie”.
Peterhead’s last game against Montrose ended in a 0-0 draw with both teams having their defence and keepers to thank, and the Blue Toon goalie thinks a draw was a fair result for saying “In the end I think a draw was right. There were times towards the end of the first half where they were on top, and midway through the second half they were sort of on top until they got a player sent off, but we had chances to win it as well.”
“Their goalie made a few good saves but if we had nicked it, I wouldn’t be complaining. It would’ve been nice but I thought a draw was fair”.
The Diamonds are currently placed fourth in the table, only a point away from league leaders Queen’s Park, yet Long is showing no fear heading into a game against an opposition that looks tough on paper.
Long said: “I think in this league anyone can beat anyone on their day but I also know you can get punished. This is my fourth season in this league so I know what its about and I think we’re more than capable if we play the way we can play.”
“We can match in this league and we will not be fearing Airdrie at all, especially with recent performances from ourselves. We look confident in the way we pass the ball and move it. We’re looking good and we’re just going to go to Airdrie and try and get the three points”.
