Does anyone know how many central defenders usually make the bench? I think it's one , and that would be Long. A player Dyche rates.

So any new centre half would have to better than Long to even make the bench. And even then , how many times does a central defender come on as a sub.

Two things I think are affecting many fans thoughts:
1) Their belief that Long is not good enough;
2) Their concern that either Mee or Tarkowski suffer a long term injury.

If you think Long is good enough for the PL I don't think you would be worried. Unless you though we would suffer 2 long term injuries in that position.

I wanted another central defender but not a youngster prepared to bide his time with the development side .

To get an established centre half willing to start of as 4th choice would be very difficult.

To get a centre half ready to challenge immediately for a first team place would have been very costly. For me the club feel they are not yet there financially to pay the wages such a player would demand.