SO, what should we read into the annual season opener against
Worthing? Not a lot, the management would have us believe.
And it is true that Albion's 4-0 win was a comfortable stroll on a
sunny afternoon in early July with nothing but pride at stake.
But 2,021 turned out to watch, so it meant something to them.
The chance for some to hail the return of the mighty Micky: he
certainly got a warm ovation as he strode towards the dug-out.
A first glimpse at some of the new signings.
Kevin McLeod couldn't have wished for a better start, lashing home a
crisp left-footer from outside the box with only 75 seconds gone.
A return to Brighton colours for Adam Virgo, who played 45 minutes at
centre back.
Glenn Murray, in his first game under the new manager, produced a
delightful lob to give Albion a 2-0 lead at the break.
Cue the usual wholesale changes that have become customary with this
fixture.
Adam El-Abd played right the way through, though, having missed the
tour to Ireland. He switched from right back to central midfield for
the second half, and took on the captain's armband from Nicky Forster.
The other 90-minute player was the triallist Michael Haswell who
played left back for an hour and left midfield for the last half hour.
I thought he looked OK but on a couple of occasions when he was caught
going forward he seemed a bit too content just to watch Joel Lynch
covering for him.
It was a surprise to see Kerry Mayo. I thought he had been given a
free transfer. But, like a bad penny, there he was again rolling back
into the line-up as a second half substitute.
He took over McLeod's left midfield slot and then swapped with
Haswell. Will he earn yet another reprieve?
Another second half substitute, new centre back Colin Hawkins, scored
with a towering header from a corner to make it 3-0 to the Albion.
Scott Chamberlain had the freedom of the central midfield in the
second half and showed one or two nice touches but might have done a
bit more, I felt.
Albion's fourth goal was attributed to him but was really a poorly hit
pass which a Worthing defender deflected past the 'keeper.
If Adams learned anything from the exercise, I imagine it would be
that Forster and Murray have no serious competition for their places.
Jonny Dixon, who took over from Forster, ran around like a headless
chicken and achieved nothing. He had no composure on the ball, little
control, poor movement, no goal threat.
And then there was Joe Gatting. Oh dear. A later sub for Murray, at
least, unlike Dixon,he got into scoring positions. But he squandered
the lot. He could - and should - have had four.
With his back to goal, Gatting actually looks like he knows what he's
doing. But forwards need to score. Especially against opposition like
this.
A final word for the afternoon's exercise: Albion's new kit. All sky
blue. Very tasteful. I like it.
Nick Turrell
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