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Jaw-drop Friday - ins and outs	Posted by David Snowball at Saturday, January 26, 2008
THE news that Albion had splashed out £300,000 on a 24-year-old League Two striker was truly jaw-dropping in the context of recent events surrounding the club. Glenn Murray wasn't even born the last time Albion shelled out big money for a striker (Terry Connor in 1983). Knight and Wilkins obviously have never-seen-before confidence in his ability to succeed and all fans wishing to see the Seagulls back in the Championship will be hoping he can continue banging in the goals as he steps up a level. The 6ft centre forward left his North West home at 18 to play in America so moving to the South Coast is just a quick trip down the motorway by comparison. The prospect of him linking him up successfully with Nicky Forster might mean we'll have the first decent striking partnership since the days of Mike Small and John Byrne.Even Bobby Zamora didn't have a regular strike partner. A few observations: * Dean Wilkins made a point of highlighting that Murray has a good first touch - no doubt Alex Revell and Nathan Elder will read that with interest because that's exactly what they don't have.Where are their Albion careers now heading? Joe Gatting? And Bas Savage, that bit of brinkmanship didn't work for you, did it?! * Murray says he likes to get the ball down, play it out to the wingers and then get on the end of their crosses. Er, unless we're going to be further surprised and delighted by the acquisition of someone who can cross the ball - Darren Currie? - the current squad seems to be markedly lacking in any genuine out and out wingers who will provide this kind of service.Or maybe Martot, Revell, Robinson and Cox are going to stay behind after training and put in a bit more practice at the art. * Will this big-money signing persuade Dean Hammond that the Albion really do have Championship ambitions? We'll find out in the next few days whether he really does want to stay and captain Brighton through to promotion....or was his agent's unveiling of his client's disquiet a tactic to attract some attention from bigger clubs? Variously Colchester, Sheffield United, Coventry and Crystal Palace are said to be keen to capture him. I await the outcome with interest because it is clear Albion could swiftly recover their outlay on Murray, and Hammond's replacement - Steven Thomson - is already in place. Amidst all the excitement of the new signing, I spotted that two of Brighton's young players are taking a further step on their development path by helping out an old Albion stalwart. Richard Carpenter is apparently now the joint caretaker-manager of Welling United and has recruited on loan centre forward Sam Gargan and defender Sonny Cobbs, with both going straight into the squad for the Blue Square South home game against Lewes. Chippy told his local newspaper: "I'm sure that both players will be breaking into the Brighton first team shortly so they are fantastic signings for the club." Mmm....not too sure about that! But let's hope both benefit from the experience and do indeed return to the Albion with a fighting chance of banging on the first team door. By Nick Turrell Labels: News 08-09, Nick Turrell