"I don't think Cardiff were at the races, they had a bit of an off day and they missed Jay Bothroyd up front.
"It could be one of the worst things to happen for us because they'll be well up for this next game. They'll want to three points they threw away on Sunday, but we'll have something to say about that."
Bothroyd is the Championship's top scorer and Long knows how important he is to the Cardiff side: "They are a different side without Bothroyd but he's back against us. Cardiff aren't second in the table for nothing. They're a great side and their bench is as strong as their first team.
The Irishman quipped about the late late goal that earned Reading a point a couple of season's ago against Cardiff. Shane remembers it as a Reading win, which I imagine it must have felt like, but it was a draw.
"We'll have to be at our very best to get a result - even if takes a 92nd minute from our goalkeeper Adam Federici to beat them again."