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Adams dilemma over Virgo?	Posted by David Snowball at Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A THRILLING first league win at Southend for 34 years restored the faith which was dented by the below par draw against Bristol Rovers. A battling performance in many senses was topped off by clinical finishes from each of our star strikers, and we were ideally positioned close behind the north goal at Roots Hall to see the steely determination, poise and control from first Glenn Murray and then Nicky Forster as they notched their goals. Seeing Murray and former Seagull Alex Revell on the same pitch invited comparison between the two and it's my belief Brighton did brilliantly to obtain £150,000 for Revell, considering they bought him for around £35,000. Murray is a far better player, with better movement, awareness and finishing. It was perhaps poetic justice that a first half Revell shot came back off the post with Kuipers beaten, especially after an early unsavoury incident between the two former team-mates when Revell thundered into Kuipers with studs up when the goalkeeper had clearly already claimed the ball. Referee Jarmal Singh clearly pondered a straight red for Revell but decided to brandish yellow instead while Kuipers also went into the book for his aggressive response. The turning point of the game came when Singh did wave a red, at Southend midfielder Moussa, for a nasty-looking lunge into Virgo's groin area. From that moment on, halfway through the second half, Brighton had more time and space on the ball and began to dictate play in a way they hadn't previously. Manager Micky Adams has a dilemma on his hands similar in nature to England boss Fabio Capello's. Adams has declared his wholehearted support for Adam Virgo and has pretty much said he'll always find him a place in the team. But in what position? Central midfield can't surely be his long-term starting place? It's been brilliant that he has scored three goals already, but it's also apparent that he lacks the finesse, agility and passing ability to permanently anchor the midfield. Elphick and Hawkins look solid at centre back at the moment - they again did well at Roots Hall with Elphick in particular heroically heading one goalbound effort off the line with Kuipers beaten. And Andy Whing is looking secure at right back. Murray has already missed a game (Bristol Rovers) - and boy did we miss him - but mistakenly Hart rather than Virgo took his place in the forward line until later in the game. Of course it is a long haul and, as we know and are reminded often, it is a squad game. But central midfield is an area crying out for some creativity, someone to put their foot on the ball and play the right passes, either out wide or for Murray and Forster to run onto. David Livermore might provide part of the answer. Steve Thomson is more a Charlie Oatway than a Richard Carpenter. And, inspirational though he is, I don't believe Virgo is the answer in that position. Perhaps a surprise is waiting for us as the transfer window prepares to clang shut next Monday. One final thought from Southend: credit to former Albion full back Dan Harding. OK, he left the club in controversial circumstances which meant large sections of the travelling fans booed his every touch of the ball. But he didn't let the abuse get to him and was arguably Southend's best player on the night, peppering the Albion goalmouth with dangerous balls and having one thunderous volley well saved by Kuipers. He looked a better player than when he played at Withdean and it wouldn't surprise me if he won back his place at Ipswich. Labels: Nick Turrell