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Bournemouth Report: "One of the worst performances of the season?"	Posted by David Snowball at Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Report By: Rhys Turrell Brighton ended their festive football with a whimper to leave them with four successive defeats over the past 10 days. I'm sure the youthfulness and inexperience of the team will be cited as a reason for our poor form, however, that doesn't take away from the fact that recent performances have been very poor. One of the most concerning issues about today's defeat was the way the Albion seemed to accept a draw, and the manager seemed reluctant to change the players on the field. While having the capacity to change between a 442 and 433 formation has many benefits, it seemed at times that the players were unsure of their roles in the side. There also seemed to be a lack of confidence and grit in the side however Guy Butters and Adam El-Abd defended numerous crosses and looked to have earned the side a clean sheet. The two central defenders got everything they could behind the ball and effectively - albeit if a bit scrappily - managed to clear the ball from the danger area. There certainly seemed more balance in the defence and this helped them to be more resolute than in recent matches. However, our attacking play left a lot to be desired, as we rarely seriously threatened to score. We should have had penalty in the second half for a blatant shove/grab on Alex Revell as he looked certain to score. In all honesty though it would have been unjust if either side won this match, both sides were poor, and although Albion played the better football they did so in the wrong areas of the field often keeping possession in the middle third and struggled to carry it forward in the same style as they could in their own half. A mention must certainly be given to veteran Darren Anderton who was simply a pass ahead of everyone else of the park. His passing was accurate and effective and if his passing didn't find a Bournemouth body then they put Albion's back-line under pressure. However the main talking point of the game was the last-minute incident and the response by the Albion faithful to goalkeeper Wayne Henderson. Quite frankly the treatment that he received was disgusting and any 'Brighton' supporter who booed him should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. It looked to me as though he genuinely slipped on the greasy surface (it had been hammering down with rain for most of the game) and was embarrassed by the fast reactions of the Bournemouth striker who tapped into the empty net. So genuine misfortune for Henderson and he seemed distraught at what had just unfolded, and he deserves credit and respect for coming over to the seagulls supporters at the end of the game and apologising for the incident. It was then that some Albion supporters booed and chanted the Michel Kuipers song. This was simply outrageous treatment for a man who had one of his better matches of the season and kept Albion in the game with several top class saves. It seems to me that some supporters simply dislike Henderson because he has dislodged long term stopper Kuipers who performed so well in the past for the seagulls. But at the present time Henderson is an international goalkeeper who at just 22 years old is by no means the finished article. He has a lot of promise and if he continues to develop like he has been - his performances are much better than last season - then he has the potential to be one of Albion's most sought-after players. There are faults in his game, no doubt, but to be booed for one error after game in which he played so well in is outrageous. What if the same thing had happened to Kuipers? Could you ever envisage him being lambasted as he left the field? I think not. Match Ratings Henderson: 7 - Some great saves, unlucky with slip at the end Rents: 5 - Possibly a little jaded and didn't play as well as he has done Butters: 7 - Solid and brave, will feel hard done by to have lost El - Abd: 7 - Seemed to concede a lot of fouls, but was solid at the back Hart: 6 - Never looks comfortable at right-back but did an adequate job Cox: 6 - Not as impressive as in recent times but full of running and commitment Hammond: 6 - Didn't link up with front three as well as was needed but was solid Fraser: 5 - The game seemed to pass him by and was unsure of position Robinson: 6 - Full of endeavour but never looked like scoring Gatting: 5 - Held the ball up ok but lack of pace made us less dynamic Revell: 5 - Seemed unsure of role in the side and thus had no impact Subs: Mayo: Came into midfield and had little impact. Labels: Bournemouth, League One, Rhys Turrell
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