Albion's catastrophic end to the season continued with yet another home defeat, this time to play-off candidates Oldham. Fortunately other results have gone our way and we will be playing league 1 football again next season; however one has to think that if the season had another 2 or 3 fixtures to go, we would be in serious trouble.

In my opinion, unless serious investment is put into the side for next season, this current terrible run may continue into next season and yet another relegation battle will begin. Dick Knight and the board will be made to look very foolish if at the beginning of next season, we make an indifferent start and are in the bottom four after 10-12 games. By giving an unproven manager a three-year contract they have certainly placed all their eggs in one basket. Knight has already set a precedent by sacking the more proven Mark McGhee and Bob Booker. Of course, the Albion's coaching team has been weakened and not replaced this season. With Dean White moved to assistant manager from head coach and Dean Wilkins to manager from first team coach at least two full-time positions need to be filled over the summer. Ian Chapman has come in on a part-time basis and I presume this will become permanent in the summer, however, if he is allowed to continue under the current circumstances next season I will be very disappointed. Dick Knight can talk about challenging at the top of the division but for a full-time professional club to employ a part-time first team coach is not adequate. How can he coach players to improve he doesn’t see the matches?

The game on Saturday for me very quickly became a blur among a sea of poor home performances. While Dean Cox scored another fantastic goal – and credit to him for his dedication and hard work – but it was not what the seagulls deserved.

Like Dean Wilkins has said after the match, Brighton was bullied all over the pitch. He talks about conditioning and strength building but for me it is not just physical but psychological as well. Next season, they must learn from experienced players like Sean Gregan, who without being dangerous or nasty was highly effective throughout. The team desperately lacks experience and this cannot be gained by players aged between 19 and 22 overnight. In my view, Brighton could do with 3 or 4, experienced campaigners at this level, who can offer leadership, strong tackling and decent aerial presence. Of course, a goal scorer is an absolute necessity. In Saturday’s performance the play in the final third was woeful as, on the brief occasions the ball was actually in the final third, the seagulls never looked like scoring and never seriously tested the Oldham 'keeper.

The return of players such as: Oatway, Hinshelwood and Reid will help but question marks have to be held over at least two of these, Oatway and Hinshelwood; who seem to have been injured for a long time.

I never had the fortune to see Dean Wilkins play, as he was in his Albion pomp about the time I was born so I can't relate to the 'Wendy Wilkins' tag but, from the snippets of information I can find it seems that this tag could be cast over many of the current Albion side. Gifted players who are 'cultured' with the ball, but when the physical stuff kicks in, struggle to express themselves. Let’s face it, glamorous football might look alright but it won’t get you promoted in this division. Scunthorpe proved that when they came to Withdean. They played not fantastically but still came away with a point.

Wilkins has a long hard summer ahead and in my opinion has some big decisions to make about contracts and employing new players. It may seem harsh, but he must be ruthless and discard nostalgic reputations or previous glories and focus on what has to be done to improve next season. Otherwise he may not have a job by Christmas.

By Rhys Turrell

Labels: League One, Oldham, Rhys Turrell