Longden happy to show his potential

The 19-year-old had struggled during the third round tie at Cambridge United on Saturday, giving a tough examination by Harrison Dunk.

But despite switching to left back for the replay at Kenilworth Road, he looked far more assured, rightly winning the sponsor’s man of the match award.

Longden said: “I felt Saturday that I didn’t play well, it was obvious I didn’t.

“He’s (Dunk) a good player but I didn’t play well. It was a good game (in the replay), I felt I did all right, so it was good and I’m happy to get a 90 minutes on the pitch.”

Longden was shifted to the left side of defence as 16-year-old Luke Trotman was handed his debut at right back, and the teenager felt he is comfortable in either position.

He continued: “It’s different to adapt, it’s the other side of the pitch and you have to use the other side of your body.

“But I feel I can play left back or right back, I’ve got a good left foot I feel and think I can do the job if needed.

“If it drops down, just swing a boot and get rid of it.”

Longden came close to scoring his first Town goal too, cutting from the flank during the first half and unleashing an excellent drive that Cambridge keeper John Sullivan saved well at full stretch.

He added: “On the left side I can cut in and shoot. The keeper won’t be expecting it because it’s a full back, so I cut in and had a swing.

“I thought at one stage it was in, but it wasn’t to be.”