|
|
|
|
Another year of wet and windy Withdean!
|
Posted by David Snowball
at
Thursday, October 02, 2008
|
And so there will be yet another year to endure of wet and windy Withdean with its soulless atmosphere and dreadful vantage points.
The news today that it will be 2011 before Brighton run out at their new stadium at Falmer must surely send a shudder down the frozen spines of most hardy Albion followers - especially as it has been accompanied by the most extraordinary spin from Dick Knight and Martin Perry that it is actually "good news" because a contractor has been appointed and work will soon get under way.
What will be the feelings of Micky Adams and all those players he's convinced to join because of the impending move to Falmer?
And when the club applied for an extension to the planning permission to use Withdean, we were told it was all just a routine matter to allow time for the place to be converted back to how it was in 1999.
Now, lo and behold, oops, perhaps the real reason was for its ongoing use for Albion home matches.
And what about all those people persuaded to buy two-year season tickets because the season after they would get deliverance to the promised land?
Would it be considered way too cynical to suggest the landing of Robbie Savage on a month's loan was a shrewd public relations ploy designed to soften the blow which the powers-that-be knew they were about to deliver to Albion's seriously-disillusioned followers?
Maybe the pressure is now off Adams to get the club back in the Championship quite as quickly as he had planned to?
Nick TurrellLabels: Falmer, News 08-09, Nick Turrell
|
|
  |
|
Season Review 07-08
|
Posted by David Snowball
at
Monday, May 05, 2008
|
Brighton's nearly-but-not-quite seventh place finish to the 2007-08 season was, if we're all brutally honest, higher than most of us expected when the action got under way last August.
Considering the overall quality of the squad, it was a highly commendable place and, if there had been a bit more calmness and, at times, a more positive approach, a place in the play-offs could have been achieved.
A telling comment from Argus football reporter Andy Naylor in an article comparing the records of recent Albion managers summed up this first full season under Wilkins: "A little less caution and worrying about the opposition and he could emulate the achievements of Adams and Taylor."
All too often we would hear in match previews how it was going to be difficult against so-and-so because they've got quality in x, y and z areas. Surely psychologically it would be better for those things to go unsaid, and for the focus to be on how well Brighton players are performing and developing.
In hard facts, Brighton were two wins and a draw shy of a play-off place and it isn't difficult to look at certain games where the points went begging to see how the situation could have been reversed. Two points were dropped as far back as November when Albion were all over Walsall at Withdean but only got a draw.
The Boxing Day battering at Millwall was nothing short of a disgrace when there was clearly turmoil off the field. Only taking a point from Huddersfield at home was another disappointment. And defeat to relegation-bound Port Vale was inexcusable.
Where Wilkins does emerge with credit, though, is in achieving such a high finish considering that he had to re-build the side midway through the season.
The loss of four key players - Bas Savage, George O'Callaghan, Dean Hammond and Matt Richards - was unsettling at a time when the side was progressing well. Richards eventually came back but it took time for Steve Thomson to bed in and Hammond wasn't really properly replaced until the later arrival of Therry Racon on loan from Charlton.
Adam El-Abd proved his versatility with impressive performances in a number of positions but he doesn't have the flair of Hammond, Racon or O'Callaghan. Tommy Fraser can't be faulted for effort but his decision-making and lack of guile found the central midfield wanting when he was selected. The injury-plagued Paul Reid seemed to blow the limited chances he got to step into the breach.
The major positives of the season were the performances at the back of Tommy Elphick and Joel Lynch and up front of Nicky Forster, particularly as the partnership with Glenn Murray began to evolve. Dean Cox had bright moments but needs to be more consistent. After too long seeing Albion trying to fill the full back positions with central defenders, it was good to see specialist players in those places and the side were at their best when they had Andrew Whing on the right and Richards on the left.
The best addition to the team by a country mile was Ian Westlake, who, apart from a couple of below-par performances, showed why he has played at a higher level before now.
As it turned out, I think Brighton did well to get a £150,000 fee for Alex Revell: Murray has shown he is a better player and promises to score plenty of goals whereas Revell was only a sporadic contributor whose touch and movement was suspect. Savage had a curious knack of doing well for Brighton but I would doubt most people ever thought he was a genuine long-term solution up front.
Michel Kuipers is to be congratulated for being ever-present but, like several managers before him, one senses that Wilkins would like to have another quality option for the number one shirt.
As has been detailed and debated elsewhere, there are clearly a number of squad players who are likely to be bidding farewell and, if Brighton want to move up to the next level next season, they will need to offload those average or below-average performers in order to afford better quality players.
If Richards can be persuaded to sign permanently, I believe the addition of a goalkeeper and right, central and left-sided midfielders will improve the squad sufficiently to make a decent challenge in 2008-09.
The main downside to making this happen is that one or two of the promising youngsters might have to be sold to fund such additions. It would seem the likeliest departure could be Elphick, and possibly Cox.
By Nick TurrellLabels: League One, News 08-09, Nick Turrell
|
|
|
|
Who is going to fill in the gaps?
|
Posted by David Snowball
at
Friday, February 01, 2008
|
UNLESS Albion pull a rabbit out of the hat before Saturday's home game with bogey side Crewe Alexandra, the omens don't look good for a result to begin the climb into play-off contention.
Captain Dean Hammond has departed to Colchester for £250,000 - a good deal in the circumstances, but it leaves a gaping hole in the centre of midfield, particularly as it occurred in tandem with the news that the injured Paul Reid and Tommy Fraser will both be out for several weeks.
I note that Steve Lomas was released by Gillingham before the midnight transfer deadline, so is free to join whoever he wants.In the same way we captured Bas Savage from the same club this time last year, it might be a decent move to make to fill the gap. Lomas is 34 but he's experienced and could probably do a job in the short term.
The only other options for the midfield berth alongside new boy Steve Thomson are Doug Loft or Kerry Mayo - but in reality Wilkins will probably move El-Abd out of the back four to fill the gap, and bring back Butters alongside Elphick. It doesn't sound like one of our window signings, Shane McFaul is ready to make the step up yet.
A week ago when everyone was reeling at the shock news that Albion had shelled out £300,000 on one player, there were many left wondering how they could afford it. Now we know the answer. Even if it was a temporary loan from the poker-playing Tony Bloom, he'll have been repaid swiftly from the proceeds of the sale of Hammond, Alex Revell and Nathan Elder. If you look at the figures we know about, we've brought in £435,000 and spent £300,000, which represents a tidy profit - even though the squad must surely now be weaker than when the window opened.
So, surprise, surprise, when Dick Knight raised expectations when he mentioned the serious contract negotiations with five new players on his post-Mansfield SCR appearance, in the final analysis the Albion faithful feel gutted because he failed to mention the departures which would happen simultaneously.
Elder's appearance in the starting line-up on Tuesday evening was obviously nothing to do with the team's needs - it was simply putting him in the shop window to see which of Wycombe or Brentford would part with the most cash. Why else would you not play your £300,000 new signing - oh, yes, sorry, he was a bit tired after the travelling. Do me a favour!
Anyway, with Elder gone, the stage is set for Glenn Murray's full debut on Saturday and let's hope he makes a goalscoring start because everyone associated with the club needs a big lift after all the shenanigans of the past month.
Nick Turrell
February 1Labels: News 08-09, Nick Turrell
|
|
|
|
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 TurrellLabels: News 08-09, Nick Turrell
|
|
|
|
Reality Check
|
Posted by David Snowball
at
Monday, January 21, 2008
|
WITH only 11 points gained from a possible 30 over the last 10 games, and playing at home not the advantage most teams would expect, the outcome of Albion's next six games will make or break their play-off aspirations.
Four of the six are at Withdean (Crewe, Tranmere, Oldham and Cheltenham the visitors) with away fixtures at Northampton and Cheltenham. On the face of it, all of these are winnable, and a decent points tally is vital, particularly if one looks further ahead to the eight March games which, right now, look unlikely to yield many points at all.
Unless there is a marked improvement in performances over the next month, can anyone realistically see wins being notched on journeys to Carlisle, Walsall, Forest and Leeds? Or, come to think of it, at home to Orient and Doncaster.
Of course all Seagulls followers hope the present omens don't come true but perhaps the picture painted here is a reality check for those who believe the play-offs are a genuine possibility.
Much has been said and written about Dick Knight's activity, or, perhaps more accurately, slowness off the mark around the transfer window. Whatever the protestations, the Board has clearly let down the manager in failing to secure in time the services of three players who were key to a successful autumn spell.
Seriously weakening the team so that vital points were dropped over the crucial Christmas/New Year period has dented what was a fledgling promotion push, and the blows received will surely mean we'll be on the ropes rather than celebrating a points victory in the final round.
Dean Wilkins has mainly been diplomatic in public but his frustration with the situation has boiled over a couple of times when asked to comment on the chairman's transfer promises: it doesn't take a rocket scientist to detect an underlying friction.
It has been good to see the signing of Steve Thomson and the return on loan of Matt Richards. But is there really a need to take a look at yet another young midfielder, in Shane McFaul, who didn't even make it to the bench on Saturday?
Everyone knows it is experience and competition in key positions that is needed. And although a forward and a couple of quality wide players are a greater priority, I am in the camp which agrees a new goalkeeper might also improve the side's chances of success. Scott Flinders would do a good job.
While we're about it, though, might the defence not be improved by the short-term acquisition of Zesh Rehman?
Along with plenty of others, I think the side could also be improved by the addition of Darren Currie, whose accurate crossing ability could provide the perfect service for the all-too-often isolated Nicky Forster.
Let's hope he can be persuaded to come South otherwise I fear I will not be alone in being disillusioned long before the season's end.
By Nick TurrellLabels: News 08-09, Nick Turrell
|
|
|
|
Dick comes out fighting
|
Posted by David Snowball
at
Sunday, January 06, 2008
|
With tempers still raised following the abysmal FA Cup defeat to Mansfield, Albion chairman Dick Knight faced the wrath of fans on Southern Counties Radio's post-match 'phone-in.
Interestingly, Knight went on the front foot from the outset and made it plain he wasn't prepared to take any sh** from callers.
He promised to take a look at the admission prices, but more or less said they wouldn't be able to do much until next season for fear of upsetting season ticket holders who have already stumped up a certain level of dosh.
The most interesting revelation from the chairman was that he was at "an advanced stage of negotiations" which could see FIVE new players join the club. One caller couldn't contain his scepticism of this claim and Knight refused to carry on that particular exchange.
Only one name was mentioned - that was the Ipswich left back Matt Richards, who Knight seemed confident of tempting back following his successful loan spell. Albion have certainly missed him - they've lost 3 of the 4 games since he returned to Portman Road and have played 3 different players in that spot.
Knight's explanation of the Bas Savage situation seemed fair enough and most reasonably-minded listeners would have applauded his stance in refusing to make Savage the highest paid player at the club. As for George O'Callaghan, the Irishman's post-Millwall outburst about the delay over contract negotiations was viewed as "out of order" although funnily enough I thought we lived in a democracy where people were allowed freedom of speech. It is fair to assume O'Callaghan won't be coming back which is a great shame in view of what he brought to the team. Certainly the side today, without him and the injured Hammond, looked feeble in the centre of midfield. I like Paul Reid but he doesn't impose himself on that area of the pitch in the same way as either Hammond or O'Callaghan. Or indeed as Bertin did last season.
The contractual situation around Hammond seems to be typical of the Albion. Surely it should have been sorted by now - or are the club looking to cash in on him now, before he becomes a free agent in the summer? That must be a possibility and, now we've lost the chance of a lucrative 4th round money-spinning tie, it could be the only way for the club to generate some funds. Hammond has his detractors, but I could see him doing a job for a top Division 1 team, or a lower-half Championship side.
By Nick TurrellLabels: News 08-09, Nick Turrell
|
|
|
|
LOOKING FOR MORE NEWS? Check out
our latest stories...
|
|
|
