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New boys point to a brighter future: Millwall 1 - 1 Brighton: Report
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Saturday, August 29, 2009
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Patience is in short supply in football and it remains to be seen whether Russell Slade will be given the time he needs to mould a decent side.
In a battling performance at The New Den, there were signs that players he has brought in to the club could provide genuine good times ahead.
Liam Dickinson in particular looks to be a really exciting capture with, dare I say it, hints of the Zamora influence we saw earlier this decade.
He certainly has pace and strength, looks comfortable on the ball, and shows plenty of signs that he could perform at a higher level.
The most recent capture, Elliott Bennett, likewise displayed glimpses of a bright future as a pacy winger with ability to get past people and cross accurately.
He could be quite justifiably pleased with his contribution in what was only his second game, even though a horrible slice when put clean through by Dickinson's sublime pass was a disappointment.
Another significant thing to note from the 1-1 draw with Millwall was the quite amazing voluble craving for Gary Dicker.
After the central midfielder's impressive contribution as a substitute in the Stockport game, few could have expected him to start on the bench at Millwall.
And when Alan Navarro had extended treatment midway through the first half and then limped towards the touchline, Albion's supporters chorused "There's only one Gary Dicker" to let Slade know who they thought should have started.
They got their way when the second half got under way and Dicker duly obliged with a typically busy and energetic performance which will surely see him retain the shirt against Wycombe.
Albion got off to the worst of starts when one-time transfer target David Martin raided down Millwall's left wing and whipped in a hard and low cross which Jason Price converted from inside the six-yard box.
Moments later Michel Kuipers, back in goal following his suspension, kept Albion in it with a point-blank stop from Gary Alexander.
Andrew Whing started at right back, picked up a yellow card as Martin ran him ragged, and ended up swapping full back berths with stand-in left back Adam El-Abd to avoid an early bath.
But the former Coventry man was very lucky to stay on the pitch with a cynical block as Millwall broke from their own half. It was probably only the length of the passage of play that followed as Millwall marauded forward that enabled him to escape with a lengthy lecture rather than a red card.
Kuipers as well could easily have seen his second red card of the season when he quite obviously gathered a long ball outside the left side of his penalty area and quickly snatched it back into the safety zone. How the referee didn't see it was a mystery.
The major positive of the evening was Albion's equalising goal, Nicky Forster's bullet header from a delightful whipped-in cross from Adam Virgo going in off David Forde.
Millwall, who had bossed the first half, suddenly looked tired after their marathon League Cup game at West Ham on Tuesday but Albion failed to press home their upper hand which moments before Forster's goal had seen a neat chip from Dean Cox come back off the bar and Forster's follow-up header skim the post.
Dickinson might have done better squaring a ball to the unmarked sub Mark Wright in the closing stages but shot rather tamely instead and as the game drew to a close Millwall suddenly found a second wind, roared on by their fans, and Albion had James Tunnicliffe to thank for clearing near the goal-line.
But Albion could be satisfied with the point; it's not yet September, and there's plenty to build on.
Player ratings:
Kuipers - 8. Made two vital saves but could have picked up red card.
Whing - 5. Better second half but nightmare opening 45 minutes. Should have been sent off.
Virgo - 8. Towering performance and brilliant cross for Forster's goal.
Tunnicliffe - 7. Bit static at times but good goal-saving clearance at the death.
El-Abd - 7. Probably restored a bit of his confidence with a workmanlike contribution.
Bennett - 8. Showed a lot of promise and should have capped it with a goal.
Crofts - 7. Got through a huge amount of work which tends to go unnoticed.
Navarro - 5. Picked up an injury as Albion were under the cosh in the first half. Replaced at half time.
Cox - 7. Exquisite chip on to bar deserved a goal but not in the game enough.
Dickinson - 8. Tireless performance and a real handful for Millwall.
Forster - 8. Excellent goal and won a good share of flick-ons. Fitness is a worry.
Subs
Dicker - 8. Popular replacement for Navarro at half-time. At the heart of Albion's better 2nd half performance.
Hart - 5. Never really got into it after replacing Forster and made a worryingly wild challenge near the end that earned a yellow card.
Wright - Brief cameo in place of Cox. Needs to start.
By Nick TurrellLabels: League One, Millwall, Nick Turrell
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Albion's Great Escape: Albion 3 Oldham 1
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Sunday, April 19, 2009
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By Nick Turrell
Lloyd Owusu raised the non-existent Withdean roof with a gutsy two-goal contribution to keep Albion's Great Escape hopes alive.
Playing in tandem with the buzzing Gary Hart, who rolled back the years with the sort of performance many had not thought they would see again, Owusu took the man-of-the-match honours for his goalscoring but the award could easily have been shared between the two.
Owusu probably edged it for his assist for the opening goal - a neat cross to the far post for an unmarked Dean Cox to head home.
The Withdean faithful responded positively to the level of on-pitch urgency that's all-too-often been missing this season and really got behind the team as they totally dominated Oldham in the first half and deservedly went in 2-0 ahead courtesy of a rather fortunate pinball experience when Owusu's misplaced header bounced fortuitously off Crossley and back to him to net.
After witnessing the shocking collapse to Swindon at the start of the second half only seven days earlier, everyone was hoping the lesson had been learned.
But amazingly it didn't seem to have been. Albion, forced to replace Elphick with El Abd, looked jittery beyond belief at the back and after some harum scarum moments in which Kuipers failed to inspire confidence and Dicker was forced to clear off the line, Oldham pulled one back when El Abd let a long punt sail straight over his head and allowed Alessandra to glide past him with ease and bury the ball in the back of the net.
Fortunately, Oldham's defence was similarly generous almost immediately and Hart and Owusu combined to unlock the visitors defence a third time.
Apart from the injury to Elphick, the other black mark of the day was the sending off of Andrew Whing for a second bookable offence, although it appeared a harsh decision from a fussy referee (Steve Cook) who at times lost the plot - as well as struggling to rummage for his cards - as the already-booked right back gently toe-poked the ball away following a free kick award against him.
However, a welcome three points which were even more vital when news of results elsewhere came through.
I believe Albion need one more win and a draw so long as Crewe and Carlisle continue to falter.
Player ratings v Oldham
Kuipers 6. One quality stop but very edgy and loads of unnecessary dramatics.
Whing 7. Sending off spoilt his fine run of form which sees him likely to be named player of the season.
Virgo 6. Can't fault his application but didn't inspire confidence.
Eplhick 7. Played on bravely until half time despite receiving nasty thigh gash.
Borrowdale 8. Played another solid, key role.
Dicker 8. Probably best he's played; put himself about and tidied up effectively.
Fraser 6. Usual contribution: energetic but erratic. Subbed.
Loft 7. Best I've seen him play for Albion. A few misplaced passes but lots of energy and justified his selection.
Cox 9. A box of tricks and sealed a lively display with opening goal.
Hart 9. Wholehearted never-say-die performance; would have been top marks if he'd got on the scoresheet.
Owusu 9. Top contribution from the experienced striker. Can't do much more if he's hoping to earn a contract for next season. His goals could keep us up.
Subs
El Abd 4. At fault for Oldham's goal and looked like his confidence is completely shot.
Jarrett 7. Brought much-needed stability to central midfield as Fraser began to lose it.
Andrew. Took over from the tiring Owusu with just a few minutes left.Labels: League One, Nick Turrell, Oldham
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Slade lifts the Withdean gloom: Brighton 5 - 0 Yeovil
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Sunday, March 15, 2009
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Division One safety may still be Far Far Away but Mama Weer All Crazee Now after Slade began to lift the gloom around the Withdean.
Big, bright and bubbly Russell Slade has injected a new energy into the sagging Seagulls and against his old club Yeovil it all suddenly came good.
The resurgent Dean Cox had by far, far and away his best game of the season as he scored twice and had a hand in the other goals as rampant Brighton blitzed dismal Yeovil 5-0. It should have been that even more clinical-sounding 6-0 if only substitute Craig Davies hadn't blazed over a glorious chance at the death.
Returning skipper Nicky Forster also plundered two goals and left the arena with the score 3-0 to a highly-deserved standing ovation.
But even though sponsors' man-of-the-match Cox and Forster took the glory, it was a good all round team effort and mention should also be made of Dave Livermore's sound contribution at left back and Jason Jarrett's performance in midfield - in particular for his pass that set up the opening goal for Cox.
Lloyd Owusu also worked his socks off and deserved a goal for his battling display against his former team-mates.
Apparently he was well narked that substitute Glenn Murray grabbed the ball to take the penalty which made it 4-0 because he rather fancied scoring against his old club.
After two thirds of the season in which Albion's front two have either been out injured or under no competitive pressure in terms of their places, with the arrival of Owusu and Davies there is now genuine healthy competition which can only serve the club well in what is a difficult run-in.
Murray, back after a long absence through injury, looked lively during his brief run-out and might have added to the penalty, given when Yeovil player-boss Terry Skiverton handled a Cox cross.
Albion will be hoping this major-confidence booster will augur well for Tuesday's visit to the Bescot Stadium where Walsall astonishingly collapsed 0-5 to Bristol Rovers.
Nick TurrellLabels: League One, Nick Turrell, Yeovil
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Beeby booby blights Slade opener: Leyton Orient 2-1 Brighton
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Sunday, March 08, 2009
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Albion fans once had a lot to thank Richard Beeby for when he awarded the decisive penalty kick in the club's 2004 play-off final against Bristol City.
At Orient the same official was guilty of evening up a much-derided decision by awarding a soft penalty which gave the home side a totally undeserved route back into the game.
Albion, with five debutants in their line-up, totally dominated the first half at Brisbane Road and led just after a quarter of an hour when centre back Matt Heath prodded home a loose ball in the six-yard area after Orient's keeper Jamie Jones failed to grasp the ball.
It was all very comfortable for Brighton until shortly before half time the diminutive Al Bangura challenged for a high ball and caught an opponent with his trailing arm.
It didn't look malicious but with the Orient faithful baying for a red card, Beeby took his time before brandishing just a yellow card.
Straight from the resulting free kick, there was an innocuous challenge in the Albion penalty area which looked like a fairly routine clearance by Heath until the official stunned everyone by pointing to the penalty spot. It certainly felt like it was directly linked to righting the perceived wrong of the previous decision.
Orient's recently returned veteran goalscorer Scott McGleish stepped up to bury the spot kick past Brighton's new great Dane goalie and the momentum of the equaliser galvanised Orient to run out in the second half with a lot more determination.
It wasn't long before the crossbar was rattled by a McGleish shot and Albion generally were second best as the home side tried to press home their superiority.
The ponderous McLeod not surprisingly gave way to Seb Carole and to enable him to forage on the right, Tommy Fraser was withdrawn to be replaced by back-from-suspension David Livermore.
Unfortunately, with Craig Davies snatching at the few good chances that came his way and Lloyd Owusu appearing to struggle with a hamstring injury after an impressive earlier stint in which he won a fair number of headers, Albion never really looked like getting the hoped-for winner. Just when it seemed proceedings would peter out to a draw, Sean Thornton picked up the ball around the edge of the area and fired home an unstoppable winner with some aplomb.
There was no way back for Albion as Orient did a highly professional job of running down the clock.
Player ratings
Mikkel Andersen - looked a little edgy and stuck to his line when he needed to be a bit more commanding
Andrew Whing - familiar Whingy display; wholehearted and some impressive runs in support of more forward players. But passing was wasteful at times.
Matt Heath - commanding and eventful debut. Got on the scoresheet by being in the right place at the right time. Penalised harshly to hand Orient their equaliser.
Adam El Abd - another wholehearted display from the stand-in skipper. Didn't deserve to finish on the losing side.
Gary Borrowdale - tidy debut at left-back. One or two understandable communication issues.
Tommy Fraser - surprise inclusion wide right of the midfield four: it hasn't worked before and didn't work today. Substituted.
Al Bangura - energetic debut and showed good touches at times. Quite evident he hasn't played much recently but showed promise for the run-in.
Jason Jarrett - a bit of a frustrating afternoon for him and less effective after being booked for a cynical trip.
Kevin McLeod - can't work out what his problem is; he's got a sweet left foot but he looks like he's labouring. Unsurprisingly subbed - again.
Craig Davies - at times looked like he was posing a threat but seemed to lack a killer touch and wasted some good half chances.
Lloyd Owusu - looked like quite a handful and won a high percentage of high balls in his direction. Looked to be struggling with a hamstring pull towards the end.
Subs
Seb Carole - never really got into it.
David Livermore - good to see him back after suspension. Not an impact player, though. Had one header from edge of the area which was easily held.
By Nick TurrellLabels: League One, Leyton Orient, Nick Turrell
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Another year of wet and windy Withdean!
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Thursday, October 02, 2008
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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
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Inexcusable dross! Brighton 0 - 1 Walsall
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Sunday, September 21, 2008
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When 11 players have just under an hour to try to beat nine there is no excuse for failure.
Albion's 1-0 capitulation to Walsall was nothing short of inept and culpability for the defeat ran throughout the team, but, equally, if the players weren't capable, what instructions were coming from the coaching staff?
It was blindingly obvious to those of us watching that Brighton just needed to stretch Walsall by getting players wide on both sides and in behind the two replacement full-backs.
As Brighton laid siege to Walsall's penalty area in the second half, there was little or no variation to any of the many crosses slung in - all came from the easy, deep angle - whether from Cox and Richards on the left or Hart, then Robinson, on the right.
In fact, the only truly decent chance came when Hart did manage to deliver a cross that cut straight across the back line rather than being angled forward, and Glenn Murray's susbsequent header unluckily hit the bar.
Every high ball lofted into the penalty area was a perfect gift for the giant Clayton Ince in Walsall's goal.It was just so simple for him.
Why was there no variation?
Micky Adams admitted in his post-match interview that the shortcomings he has been concerned about were all too evident - and perhaps the answer to the inept wing play lay in the fact that left-sided Kevin McLeod was out injured and right-sided Joe Anyinsah was suspended.
With the exception of the one cross mentioned above, Hart was certainly a very poor replacement on the right. His re-signing along with Mayo was obviously one of Adams' first mistakes. Robinson isn't a winger but at least he's got pace.
Nicky Forster has been tremendous but clearly wasn't fit, so why did he start?
Oh, yes, I've realised: his replacement was Jonny Dixon. Please, please can we cut our losses and just move him on. He clearly hasn't got it at this level, as was shown once again when he eventually came on as a substitute.
Adam Virgo is a centre back or perhaps a right back, but we've got a decent player in that position in Andrew Whing. Virgo does not have a good enough first touch to be either a central midfield player or a striker. His effort and workrate can't be faulted, but it's not enough if we want to progress.
What are Steve Thomson's attributes? Could someone please explain?
It is clear to me that Forster and Murray will score goals if they receive the right service but yesterday the midfield had insufficient quality in all four positions and the only alternative approach comes from hit-it-and-hope lumps forward from the back.
Frankly, it's depressing. And in a tough, economic climate, just not worth the hefty expense.Labels: League One, Nick Turrell, Walsall
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Withdean the clinching factor in Robinho signing for Manchester City!
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
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Was the prospect of playing at the Withdean the clinching factor in Brazilian international Robinho signing for Manchester City?
For that astonishing prospect now spices up an already eagerly-awaited League Cup contest on September 24.
The former Real Madrid star striker, used to gracing the surroundings of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, could run out at our humble converted athletics stadium in front of the sort of crowd which probably used to gather for a training session in Spain.
How must Tommy Elphick be feeling as he contemplates arguably the most challenging game of his life?
It's probably fair to say we shouldn't make too many plans for the possibility of facing Derby County in the next round!Labels: Nick Turrell
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Adams dilemma over Virgo?
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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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
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Season Review 07-08
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Monday, May 05, 2008
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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
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Match Report: Forster at the double to freeze out Swindon
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Sunday, March 23, 2008
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HARUM SCARUM Albion recovered from the shakiest of starts to overcome a
useful Swindon side on a freezing afternoon at Withdean.
Skipper and leading goalscorer Nicky Forster once again led by example with
two fine goals and new boy Therry Racon looked a busy class act in the
centre of midfield.
If the Frenchman signed on loan from Charlton on Thursday can reproduce this
sort of form until the end of the season, Albion's bid for the play-offs
could stay on course.
Quality in the engine room of the side has been missing for a while now -
principally since Dean Hammond's departure - but, in Racon, Albion have
unearthed a potential gem. He looked comfortable on the ball, competitive,
challenged well for the ball in the air, and passed it intelligently.
His stock rose even more with the Albion faithful when halfway through the
second half he discarded the gloves he had been wearing!
It's to be hoped that Glenn Murray can soon resume sharing the goalscoring
burden with Forster, who, by his own admission, often scores in clutches of
games rather than consistently. Right now, if Forster's supply dries up,
it's not clear where other goals might come from.
Murray continues to get into goalscoring positions but, after a series of
misses in recent games, his lack of cutting edge and frequency of being
caught offside are proving frustrating.
Swindon's giant goalkeeper, Brezovan, did pull off one terrific stop when
Murray powered in a header from a Cox cross, but the £300,000 man otherwise
flattered to deceive.
Swindon were very quick out of the blocks to take the game to Brighton and,
after several early scares, including a pinball style set of ricochets in
the Albion penalty area, it wasn't surprising the Robins went ahead when
Craig Easton glanced in a header from the resulting corner.
Thankfully the lead didn't last long. Forster was brought down out on the
right and then got up to guide a header past Brezovan from Dean Cox's
pinpoint free kick.
In the swirling wind, defending was clearly difficult and there were plenty
of chances at both ends although Albion came closest through the Murray
header and a decent effort from Steven Thomson, who also popped up in
defence to head off the Albion goal-line.
It was a foul on the lively Cox that led to Albion's winner. Awarded a free
kick 20 yards out, Forster and Ian Westlake each shaped to take it but it
was Forster who struck a delightful curling effort into the net off the far
post.
At moments like that, when considering Albion's usual disappointing efforts
from such set pieces, it's a wonder Forster hasn't been given that
responsibility before. Albion had 25 minutes to defend the single goal
margin, and it was nervy at times.
Then, as the fourth official indicated there were four minutes of added
time, a blizzard suddenly swept across the ground. But Albion, with Butters
thrown on in place of Cox to shore up the defence, managed to hold out.
Player ratings (out of 10):
Kuipers 7; Hart 7, Elphick 7, Lynch 8, Mayo 7; Cox 8, Thomson 7, Racon 9, Westlake 7; Murray 6, Forster 9.
By Nick TurrellLabels: League One, Nick Turrell, Swindon
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Top Performance Sinks Donny (Brighton 1 - 0 Doncaster)
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Saturday, March 15, 2008
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A superb Ian Westlake-inspired performance at rain-soaked Withdean put Albion within a point of the play-off places with a game in hand.
The on-loan Leeds midfielder was terrific against Doncaster in what was arguably Albion's best home display of the season.
Westlake caught the eye with one stunning volley turned round by Neil Sullivan in the first half and a superb bit of trickery out wide on the right in the second half. On that occasion, he burst into the box, shot for goal, Sullivan could only parry the ball straight to Glenn Murray and the former Leeds 'keeper made a quality second stop from Murray's header.
After weathering early Doncaster pressure, Albion changed their shape to cope with the visitors' fluent passing and then had to adjust again when Matt Richards went off injured after only 25 minutes.
Kerry Mayo came on to slot into his familiar left back berth and put in a terrific shift, possibly to the surprise of many.
Indeed it was Mayo's determination which led to the only goal of the game. He won the ball in the left midfield channel and released Nicky Forster for a run on goal. Forster burst into the penalty area and went tumbling down. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick although the protests from the Doncaster players were long and resulted in two bookings. Interviewed on SCR afterwards, Forster admitted there had been little contact.
But with the award made, Forster stepped up to take the penalty only to see Sullivan guess right and save his initial shot. Fortunately the ball rebounded nicely to Albion's no.9 who reacted quickest to slot it home.
Tommy Elphick and Joel Lynch did brilliantly at the back to repel everything Doncaster threw at them and Andrew Whing was on top form, snuffing out any potential threat from much-derided former Albion frontman Mark McCammon. Unfortunately, Whingy's enthusiasm once again got the better of him as the final minutes ticked away and the yellow card issued - one of many the referee brandished - means under the totting up rules he'll miss the games against Swindon and Forest.
The Withdean crowd really got behind the Albion in a way normally only seen at away games and Nicky Forster was warmly saluted when he gave way to Gary Hart in the final few minutes. Hart, though, squandered an unbelievably easy chance to seal the game within only a few seconds of entering the action. Cox set him up with an exquisite pass to beat the offside trap but Hart couldn't compose himself to control the ball and shoot and the chance went begging.
Sullivan then went upfield as Doncaster had a free kick in a dangerous position in the four minutes added time. There were bodies flying around everywhere and Sullivan appeared to try to punch the loose ball goalwards, which the referee missed. But the final whistle finally blew and a relieved crowd and team celebrated with some passion.
Albion (marks out of 10):
Kuipers 8; Whing 8, Elphick 8, Lynch 8, Richards 7 (sub Mayo 8); Cox 9, El-Abd 8, Thomson 7, Westlake 9; Murray 8, Forster 9 (sub Hart).
By Nick TurrellLabels: Doncaster, League One, Nick Turrell
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Match Report: Breathing through the Gills
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
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BEATING Gillingham 4-2 to go three points off a play-off place with two games in hand should be a cause for celebration.
Looking at those cold hard facts makes good reading, but there was something about the manner of achieving it which wasn't entirely fulfilling.
Even reduced to ten men, Gillingham posed sufficient questions for a hesitant second half Albion side to raise concerns for up-coming games against much better teams.
That Gillingham scored a second and managed to hit the bar and a post in this period, and Albion's Glenn Murray missed three glorious openings to bolster the goal difference, perhaps demonstrate that the game could so easily have gone the way of some other lost opportunities we have witnessed this season.
But OK, that gripe over, let's take the positives out of the performance and hope securing three points sends the side to Carlisle on Saturday with a decent confidence boost.
At least Murray is getting into goalscoring situations and surely on Saturday he will want to prove his former employers wrong for letting him go by getting on the scoresheet.
Nicky Forster broke his own personal hoodoo of never having scored against a former club when he emphatically buried a penalty awarded for a foul by former Albion captain Danny Cullip only moments after the Gills were reduced to 10 men.
Then Stillie in the visitors' goal did brilliantly to push a Matt Richards free kick onto the post but unluckily for him the ball fell nicely for Adam El-Abd who smacked the ball in with all the aplomb of a seasoned striker.
Not to be outdone, fellow central defender Tommy Elphick took advantage of being left totally unmarked at a corner to nod home the simplest of goals to give Albion a 3-1 cushion at the break.
Gillingham's third minute 30-yard opener from Andrew Crofts was thoroughly negated by that point but Albion failed to build convincingly on their lead in the second half, even though Jake Robinson, once again on as a substitute for Dean Bowditch, fired in from close range when the keeper could only parry an Andrew Whing effort from a corner.
Gills manager Mark Stimson boldly went with three at the back, withdrawing Cullip at half time, in an effort to get back in the game despite the one-man disadvantage. They were to finish the game with only nine, though, when the no.19, already booked for a crude lunge through the back of Forster, stupidly kicked the ball away after conceding a free kick and was off for a second yellow.
Albion debutant Ian Westlake picked up a yellow card himself for a rather over-zealous tackle but generally the Leeds loanee could be content with his contribution, particularly as he hadn't even trained with the team. However, there were plenty of familiar faces from his time at Ipswich and there was a solid, sound performance from Matt Richards in particular.
Albion performance ratings out of 10: Kuipers 7; Whing 8, Elphick 7, El-Abd 9, Richards 8; Bowditch 6, Fraser 6, Martot 7, Westlake 8; Murray 7, Forster 8. Subs: Robinson (for Bowditch) 7; Mayo (for Westlake).
By Nick TurrellLabels: Gillingham, League One, Nick Turrell
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Murray's super strike wins it: Brighton 1-0 Oldham
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Sunday, February 24, 2008
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ALBION gave themselves and their nervy fans a welcome confidence-
booster with a well-deserved win over Oldham.
New £300,000 signing Glenn Murray scored the only goal of the game,
and what a superb strike it was.
Matt Richards made a fantastic surging run through the middle and
found Murray with a neat pass as he moved out to the left of the
penalty area.
Murray coolly drew Mark Crossley off his line, rounded him, and
slotted with supreme confidence from a tightish angle.
It was the former Rochdale hitman's fourth goal in four games for the
Albion and his all-round performance raised expectations for the run-
in to the end of the season.
Once again, Murray's partnership with Nicky Forster looked highly
promising and, although the experienced ex-Ipswich forward didn't
score, it really can only be a matter of time before his industry,
movement and skill is rewarded with a lucky break.
In truth he could - and maybe should - have had two goals as Albion
carved out plenty of chances.
Dean Bowditch, sporting a new shorn look, set him up with a delightful
threaded pass but Crossley was equal to Forster's effort. And a header
from a left wing cross went well over when you'd have fancied him to
hit the target.
It was Albion's failure to capitalise on their chances which was the
only downside of the afternoon. Oldham, to their credit, tried to get
on the scoresheet themselves and came very close on several occasions.
With Albion defenders still caught upfield following a corner, their
best effort came when Craig Davies found himself through one on one
with Michel Kuipers but a desperate last-ditch lunge by Tommy Fraser
was maybe just enough to make him send his shot well over. Davies
injured himself in the process and had to be replaced and Fraser also
limped off before half time. A word for his replacement, David Martot,
who slotted into the left central midfield berth very effectively and
was quickly into the thick of the action. It was the best I had seen
from him in an Albion shirt.
There were a few harum scarum moments in the Albion penalty area as
Oldham pushed for an equaliser, but Tommy Elphick and Adam El-Abd,
together with Michel Kuipers, managed to keep them at bay.
It was frustrating to see Dean Cox trying to wind down the clock by
playing keep-ball in the corner with 13 minutes still to play, but the
ploy, also picked up by Forster and substitute Jake Robinson (on for
Bowditch) had the desired effect.
When Forster was replaced by Lynch close to the end, he earned a warm
ovation as he left the field.
Albion had to wait a long time to secure his services but he has been
worth every penny of the £75,000 fee paid to Hull.
Optimists will look at the league table and note Albion are now only
seven points adrift of the play-off places with three games in hand.
Many more performances like this one and the dream may yet become a
reality. But there is still a long way to go and Albion have a tough
month ahead, starting with Orient at home next Saturday.
Player scores out of 10:
Kuipers 8;
Whing 7,
Elphick 8,
El-Abd 7,
Richards 8;
Bowditch 7,
Fraser 5,
Thomson 7,
Cox 8;
Murray 9,
Forster 8.
Subs:
Martot (for Fraser) 8,
Robinson (for Bowditch),
Lynch (for Forster).
Not used: Mayo, Hart.
By Nick TurrellLabels: League One, Nick Turrell, Oldham
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Match Report: Bore draw blow to play-off hopes (Brighton 0-0 Tranmere)
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
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ALBION slipped to 16th place in League One as they once again squandered a chance to make a genuine claim for a play-off place.
The first of five consecutive home games saw a dull stalemate against a Tranmere Rovers side who got the point that they came for.
It was perhaps an all too predicatable result with very little Albion flair on display, other than one or two glimpses from a frustrated Nicky Forster.
Dean Wilkins clearly saw a different game to the fans when he commented on local radio afterwards that he felt Albion had played well, but didn't have enough quality in the final third.
He told the interviewer Albion had 13 chances - double Tranmere's efforts - yet he must have been watching a different game to the spectators because none of them witnessed that many efforts on goal.
Glenn Murray's second Withdean game was vastly more disappointing than his home debut: his rather lethargic display ultimately saw him withdrawn in favour of Gary Hart, who was equally ineffective.
It was good to see Dean Bowditch back in an Albion shirt and he threatened sporadically but perhaps not as convincingly as many would have hoped for.
He did lay one delightful throughball in to Forster, but the former Ipswich colleague had his shot saved and the follow-up deflected for a corner.
Albion defended far too deeply for much of the game and, once Murray departed, at times seemed to be playing with only one (Forster) up front, which was frustrating and disappointing to see from the home side.
With the crowd dropping to 4,700, Albion failed to convince those who bothered to turn up and it would not be a great surprise if the gate for next week's home game with Cheltenham drops below 4,000.
By Nick TurrellLabels: League One, Nick Turrell, Tranmere
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Who is going to fill in the gaps?
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Friday, February 01, 2008
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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
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Jaw-drop Friday - ins and outs
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Saturday, January 26, 2008
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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
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Reality Check
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Monday, January 21, 2008
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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
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Match Report: Brighton 1 - 1 Huddersfield
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Sunday, January 20, 2008
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IT's good that Albion are still talking about the play-offs as a target for this season but anyone who witnessed Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Huddersfield will surely have concluded that it is just a pipedream.
There needs to be a marked improvement throughout the whole set-up if Albion are going to get even close to a sniff of Wembley come May.
The harsh reality is that the current squad is simply not good enough to maintain a serious challenge.
A bit like the manager in his playing days in the heart of Brighton's midfield, there is a lot of pretty passing, some of which can be quite attractive to watch. But all too often it is all in vain because it seldom results in worthwhile chances on goal.
Against Huddersfield, with the exception of Elphick's header direct from a corner, and Forster's glaring miss when one on one with the 'keeper following Reid's slide-rule pass, there were only two real chances of note, both from set pieces, when Whing might have done better and the 'keeper saved comfortably.
Argus reporter Andy Naylor says the Albion desperately need wingers if they are going to mount a challenge, and he's probably right. Cox, playing on the left, forever has to cut back onto his right foot and put in a more predictable and less dangerous ball. From the right, we just don't have anyone who can reach the deadball line and whip in a dangerous cross.It makes all the approach play easier to defend.
Steve Thomson made a sound debut as the latest 'water carrier' - fetching the ball off the back four and spraying the ball around, and he may well be more effective when playing alongside Dean Hammond, who commands the centre of midfield more effectively than Reid.
But the Albion are still missing that strange spark that Bas Savage brought to the side. No-one is quite sure how he did it, but he was very effective playing alongside Forster in a way Alex Revell simply isn't. No-one could fault Revell for effort, but his touch is poor and so play is ponderous around him, while he is trying to bring the ball under control.
David Martot had probably his best game in an Albion shirt against Huddersfield - he certainly gets through more work than Robinson - but he too misses an important edge to give Albion a genuine dangerous thrust in important areas.
The mind-numbingly slow response from the management team in introducing substitutes continues to frustrate, with Nathan Elder once again given far too little time to make a difference in being introduced with 87 minutes on the clock.
Discounting the modest following from Yorkshire, the Albion crowd was down to just 5,153 on Saturday and many more performances like that will see the number fall easily short of 4,500 if there is nothing to play for.
At least two more signings before the window closes might make a difference - let's hope for everyone's sake they are made.Labels: Huddersfield Town, League One, Nick Turrell
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Delirious scenes of delight: Oldham 1 - 1 Brighton Match Report
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Sunday, January 13, 2008
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OUT of sorts captain Dean Hammond's ninth minute dismissal at Boundary Park threatened to make it a miserable afternoon for the 317 visiting Albion fans.
But a battling performance and some shrewd tactical changes by manager Dean Wilkins brought an unlikely reward with a last-gasp equaliser from substitute Nathan Elder.
The small but noisy Albion contingent behind Michel Kuipers' goal erupted in delight and the Dutch 'keeper himself was so fired up that he came mighty close to being arrested by the police for his pumped up celebrations.
It was hardly surprising there was such an outpouring of joy after reaping some reward at the end of a tough week for the Albion which had looked like getting tougher with that early sending off of Hammond.
The skipper couldn't really complain, though. With such a high focus on two-footed challenges right now, the referee had little option.
From there on in, huge credit has to go to the remaining 10, plus three subs, for the part they all played in coming away from this bleak corner of the North West with a point.
Not surprisingly, Wilkins rewarded Wes Fogden for his impressive debut at Swansea with a first league start at right back; Andrew Whing starting at left back in place of the injured Joel Lynch.
Unfortunately, once Oldham had a one-man advantage, they started to put Fogden under a lot of pressure, and Wilkins quickly changed things round, withdrawing the youngster and putting the experienced Kerry Mayo on at left back, with Whing reverting to the right.
I have never been a big fan of Mayo, but I have to take my hat off to a truly excellent professional performance. He used his experience to try to lessen the impact of Oldham's extra man through his passing and movement off the ball and credit to him for giving the manager a reminder he can still do a job.
The only one blemish to record was a horrendous full body check he did on Oldham goalscorer Lee Hughes which was rather like that assault Steve McQueen does on a German guard in The Great Escape just before 'Ives' gets shot. Astonishingly, Mayo didn't even get booked, let alone sent off.
Nicky Forster took the captain's armband once Hammond had walked and led by example with his lone running up front. As others have mentioned elsewhere, I think Forster would be a good candidate to keep the armband as he is a genuine leader on the field, constantly encouraging the youngsters. Especially now Hammond will miss three games for the automatic dismissal.
Adam El-Abd had one of his best ever games for the Albion with an assured display alongside Tommy Elphick.
Alex Revell worked hard when having to drop back to help the depleted Albion midfield and it was no surprise that Gary Hart took his place towards the end to ensure tired legs didn't spoil the tremendous effort in keeping Oldham's lead to only one goal.
Oldham hadn't won at home since the end of September last year, and you could see why. They appeared nervous and jittery and, apart from Hughes' clinically taken goal just before half-time, didn't look too likely to add to their score, save for a couple of efforts from set pieces.
The unlucky Nathan Elder, who must have splinters in his backside after the length of time he has spent on the bench, was thrown on with only five minutes remaining (minor moan, here.....why such a short time?.....surely it would be better to give him 15 mins at least). With the sign for added on time already having been brandished, Dean Cox whipped in a corner from the left. Forster got to it first and the ball cannoned off the bar. An almighty scramble ensued and the next we knew the ball was in the back of the net. It was difficult to see from our vantage point at the opposite end who had applied the finishing touch, but word quickly got round that it was Elder.
There was barely time for Oldham to restart the game before the ref blew the final whistle to cue delirious scenes of delight from the Albion faithful and players - and the skirmish between Kuipers and the stewards!
By Nick TurrellLabels: League One, Nick Turrell, Oldham
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Dick comes out fighting
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Sunday, January 06, 2008
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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
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Boxing Day Defeat and Turmoil: Millwall 3 - 0 Brighton...
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Thursday, December 27, 2007
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AFTER a gutless shambles of a defeat at Millwall it emerges there is contract conflict going on behind the scenes, which may account for such a lacklustre performance.
What remains undisputed, though, is that over 1,000 Albion fans made the journey to the New Den only to be rewarded with a truly awful display in which one of the journeymen strikers at this level was virtually handed on a plate one of the easiest hat-tricks you'll ever witness.
Even Millwall fans don't rate Gary Alexander, yet he managed to score twice with his head under no challenge from an Albion defender and then slotted a penalty after a lamentable attempted tackle by Michel Kuipers.
If Dean Wilkins had two choices to make with his team selection following Matt Richards' return to Ipswich, he surely made the wrong one in continuing to omit Guy Butters.
Adam El-Abd and Joel Lynch crumbled as easily as a Christmas shortbread in the centre of defence and, although Sam Rents busied himself reasonably well on his return to the side, he was nowhere to be seen when Bignot had time and space to pick out Alexander for the second goal.
Maybe O'Callaghan's post-match outburst was a sign of his personal frustration at such a poor performance, but do we really want to keep someone who is so ill-disciplined as to pick up a booking for a needless kicking-the-ball away only two games after he had returned from a three-game ban?
He has a touch of class and quality on the ball, but he's probably burned his boats now by criticising the running of the club.
Hammond looked out of sorts today as well, and, once again picked up a booking for a nasty challenge. But he was by no means alone. There were no players who emerged with any credit and, according to Wilkins, we should forgive and forget this performance as a blip.
That maybe easy for him to say but performances like this surely make the prospect of a play-off challenge remote, and, unless there is genuine investment on the playing side in January, the team will falter more and the crowds will dwindle further.
Player ratings:
Kuipers 5;
Whing 6,
El-Abd 4,
Lynch 4,
Rents 5;
Fraser 5,
Hammond 5,
O'Callaghan 4,
Robinson 5;
Savage 5,
Forster 4.
Subs:
Cox (for Fraser) 5,
Revell (for Savage) 4,
Martot (for Robinson) 4.
By Nick Turrell.Labels: League One, Millwall, Nick Turrell
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Albion v Northampton: A win at home at last!
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Monday, August 20, 2007
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A win at home at last
The best thing that could be said about Albion's opening day fixture against Northampton was that it brought a win at long last. After so many abject performances at Withdean last season, the 2-1 defeat of the Cobblers broke what was becoming a rather nasty habit.It should be said, though, that it would be wrong to get carried away. And with the opening day crowd being only 5,137 (and 300 of them were from Northampton), Albion fans obviously weren't persuaded that things would be very much different from last season. Going ahead as early as the second minute, when Hammond cooly converted a penalty given for a trip on Alex Revell, seemed to work against the Albion rather than providing a platform on which to build a performance.
The remainder of the half was dire from Brighton and it wasn't really a surprise that Northampton got back into it with a well-worked headed equaliser. In the final third of the pitch, Northampton posed a series of awkward situations for Albion's shaky-looking defence in which only Tommy Elphick looked assured. However, as if to demonstrate how much confidence a goal can bring, after Albion took the lead when Revell rose well to nod home a free kick, the floodgates really could have opened. Albion suddenly began to perform and, in all truth, really should have ended up 5-1 winners; they had that many clear-cut chances.
Here's my assessment player-by-player:
Kuipers: Failed to command his area and looked decidedly wobbly, particularly in the first half.
Whing: Made a couple of important interventions but doesn't yet look the assured player he was when on loan last season.
Elphick: A contender for man-of-the-match. Looked calm and confident and saved several dangerous-looking situations. Well on the way to cementing a regular place.
Butters: Not one of his better games. An early scrap with Houbertz seemed to unsettle him and his passing from the back was poor.
Rents: Continues to look good going forward but less confident defending. Still a better bet than Mayo, though.
Robinson: Back at the expense of Fraser; another lightweight show. Easily relieved of possession. Eventually substituted.
El-Abd: Worked hard for the team and thankfully kept his head when often we've seen him get too involved when the boots are flying.
Hammond: Cool dispatch of penalty in second minute. Seemed to sit back too deep and therefore didn't offer enough support to the forward players. Stretchered off near the end.
Cox: Right-footed player playing on the left meant there was no chance of crosses from dangerous positions because he always had to cut inside and deliver from angles that are easier to defend.
Revell: Worked really hard; displayed the best aerial ability I have seen since he joined, including heading the winner. Deft touch in box earned the early penalty. Should have had a second when set up by Forster, but his shot was cleared off the line. Deservedly man-of-the-match.
Forster: Disappointing home debut. Missed two good chances, but often starved of decent service from behind.
Subs.
Savage: Impressive contribution as replacement for Robinson. Did enough in 15 minutes to earn a start ahead of him next time out.
Fraser: Late replacement for injured Hammond; spoilt a promising move when three were queuing up for a square pass but he hit it straight at the 'keeper.
Report by Nick Turrell.Labels: News 07-08, Nick Turrell, Northampton Town
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Orient Report: "French connection key to Orient victory"
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Friday, February 16, 2007
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Report By: Nick Turrell
The signing of Alexis Bertin could well prove to be a master-stroke by Dean Wilkins.
While Bas Savage took all the plaudits for his performance against Orient, there was an unsung hero role for the Frenchman.
Bertin played as the holding player in a midfield diamond and did the job superbly, breaking up play and feeding quality passes through to his more advanced team-mates.
In only his second full game for the Seagulls, the man from Le Havre laid down a marker for how that role should be played and, no disrespect to Adam El-Abd, showed that it shouldn't just be about breaking up play, but creativity too.
His tireless running and chasing enabled Hammond and Ward to express themselves further forward and gave Cox the opportunity to cause havoc down the right side.
Hammond, of course, got in a great forward position in the penalty area to slot home the first goal, and it was Cox, latching on to Bertin's pass, who set up Savage for an emphatic finish to make it 2-0.
Big Bas did well to get on the end of another deep right wing cross to head back across goal for Joe Gatting to stab home from close range.
And substitute Elder neatly flicked on a raking punt forward into Cox's path for him to run through and notch the fourth.
One other performance of note came from Sam Rents, returning at left back, who has pace and dead ball precision which adds a dimension to the team.
A final word about Nick Ward. The QPR Aussie looks comfortable on the ball but is a bit of a leg dangler when it comes to anything physical. But if the new-look diamond can continue to play to his strengths, I'm sure it will be rewarded with goals.Labels: League One, Leyton Orient, Nick Turrell
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Saturday Pickup
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
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SLOW out of the traps yet again, Albion were punished by a veteran goal poacher.
Their lacklustre performance at Yeovil simply ached for someone with the same class and finishing ability as Marcus Stewart.
It was a touch ironic too that the game was put beyond Albion's reach by a striker who once wore the stripes, albeit briefly.
The season will be full of what-might-have-been moments unless we can land that elusive target man.
In short, although the Albion had large amounts of possession during the game, they had no cutting edge in the final third - an oh-so-familiar story.
At times, as we huffed and puffed and passed it sideways and back, it was difficult to appreciate we could so easily have managed to salvage a point at least.
After Stewart's cracking early goal - when he was given time and space on the edge of the penalty area to control a neat ball in from Nathan Jones and rifle it past Henderson - Yeovil actually had very few chances to score.
It was only a classic breakaway late in the game, after an Albion free kick shambles, that led to Wayne Gray's winner.
Let's return to that free kick. In a game when Albion struggled to get themselves into good goalscoring positions, whatever possessed them to squander the opportunity to belt in a direct shot from the edge of the penalty area?
When Hammond was upended on the edge of the area, instead of a direct hit from the likes of Chippy, Coxy or Mayo, there was a disastrous tippy-tappy session that came to nothing.
Yeovil cleared their lines, and, with our centre backs committed forwards for that free kick, a gaping hole appeared at the back which Gray exploited.
There was a tired look about the Albion which could be put down to expecting too much from this largely young side playing their sixth game in 18 days.
What of individual performances? The returning Henderson in goal had very little to do. He didn't stand much chance with the goals and pulled off a couple of saves. It was telling, perhaps, that he seemed nervous in the moments before kick off about taking up his position in goal in front of the impressive ranks of Albion supporters; choosing to loiter on the edge of the area until the game kicked off.
Prior to the game, the impression was given that, if he'd been well enough, Guy Butters might have started instead of Georges Santos. I fully expect that to happen on Saturday.
I know Santos used to drive QPR supporters to distraction, and he's shown us why. To be fair, his passing improved in the second half, and his most effective moments were reserved for the do-or-die final five minutes when he was thrust up front. But even then he failed to capitalise on a slip by his marker, and a half-chance went begging.
Tommy Elphick got a place on the bench at Huish Park, and I wonder if he might be given an opportunity against Chesterfield.
It was good to see Richard Carpenter back in central midfield, but he didn't stamp his authority on the game in the way we know he can.
Dean Hammond looked our most energetic and effective player and was unlucky when he thumped a loose ball in the penalty area straight at Milldenhall, who double-punched it away. Dean Cox, playing in the excluded Alex Frutos role wide left, was less influential than he has been in recent games.
Tommy Fraser got himself into some good positions and could consider himself unfortunate to be substituted. His replacement, Joe Gatting, looked short of fitness - or perhaps he simply isn't going to convert his youthful goalscoring prowess to the League?
Alex Revell again put in a workmanlike performance that once or twice threatened to produce something, but Yeovil were well marshalled at the back by Terrell Forbes, who managed to keep most attacks at bay.
Gary Hart failed to get the better of his old Albion team-mate Jones, who looked comfortable at left back for the home side.
Brighton, though, should at least be getting a point from teams like Yeovil.
The Celtic lookalikes in their green and white hoops passed the ball neatly and, in the unpronounceable-named lad who scored for Grimsby against Spurs last season, had easily the best player on the pitch. He ran the show.
The Deans' honeymoon is well and truly over with this third defeat in a row and I fully expect to see a managerial appointment from outside the club before very long.
If we are to get in on loan the two or three players we need to strengthen what is a flimsy squad, there surely needs to be a permanent boss in place before any player is going to commit to join us.
Nick Turrell Labels: League One, Nick Turrell, Yeovil
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Heads Held High...
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Thursday, September 21, 2006
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A LEAGUE Cup exit at the hands of Southend United was ill-deserved following a slick-passing performance at Roots Hall.
As the clock ticked down, Albion's dominance looked like it would be rewarded through a Dean Cox curler notched 19 minutes from time.
But with Southend throwing people forward in search of an equaliser, the Dean duo sent on veteran defender Guy Butters, presumably in an effort to stem the tide.
The switch had exactly the opposite effect to the one they'd made earlier when the more enterprising Doug Loft had replaced Frutos, and set up Cox for his goal following a strong forward run by Reid.
Albion failed to deal with a deep ball into the box and Southend were level.
Then, amazingly, two wonder strikes in the space of about three minutes made Southend look convincing winners, until an El-Abd header brought an air of justice to the final scoreline with a second Albion goal from Cox's whipped in free kick.
Maybe the Butters substitution was a tinker too far, but it was an understandable change at a time when Albion were under siege.
Perhaps something to learn, though, that with five minutes left in that situation, removing a striker and putting on an extra defender might have preserved the lead.
Nevertheless, Albion gave the travelling faithful, who'd given noisy backing throughout, enthusiastic applause at the final whistle and they left the pitch with their heads held high after outplaying the Championship side for much of the game.
What about individual performances?
Cox had another good game capped off with the aforementioned goal. El-Abd looked solid at centre half, and now can't stop scoring!
Tommy Fraser looked amazingly assured considering he's only played a handful of first team games.
Alex Revell looked a threat down the right side, but maybe needs to show just a bit more composure.
Kerry Mayo has plenty of doubters but he turned in his second successive solid performance and even caused Southend to switch Campbell-Ryce to the left wing for the second half.
Kuipers, who made two important stops at the end of the first half, should probably have done better for the equalising goal.
And Dean Hammond again anchored the midfield well, but was guilty of a few too many misplaced passes. It will be interesting to see if Chippy steps straight back into that position at Carlisle on Saturday.
Finally, it almost goes without saying that with someone tall and strong leading the line we would probably have got something more from the game.
Harty did his best and rattled Sodje a number of times, but one skewed shot into the side netting was the closest he came to a goal. Let's hope the Deans' pursuit of Dichio, or someone like him, comes off sooner rather than later.Labels: League One, Nick Turrell
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A Good Thrashing!
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Sunday, September 17, 2006
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ALBION fans were all smiles for a change after Orient were given a good thrashing at Withdean.
The only pity was that the Seagulls didn't rattle up an even higher score - - it could easily have been six, such was Albion's superiority.
Orient were undone by the 15th minute dismissal of their centre back and captain. Paul Reid opened the scoring two minutes later, and, by half time, a 3-0 lead was established thanks to a stunning left foot belter from Adam El-Abd, turning in from the right wing, and a well-deserved, tight-angled drive from Dean Cox, who just got better the longer the game went on.
It was a shame Dean Hammond didn't convert a penalty awarded for a shove on Reid, but the rest of his play sitting as the holding player in a diamond midfield was excellent most of the afternoon.
Reid revelled in his preferred central midfield role, and was unlucky not to grab a second when a thumping free kick from the edge of the box rattled a post and bounced to safety.
Alex Revell worked his socks off to good effect in opening up opportunities for others and linking the play effectively. The other Alex, Frutos, showed glimpses of a return to the sort of form he displayed last season, giving the Albion a good looking balance wide on the left.
Albion were so on top Kerry Mayo even had the opportunity to display some silky showboating skills to take the ball out of a tight situation.
Georges Santos had probably his best game since joining the Albion, but spoilt it by conceding a penalty with a blatant foul right in front of the ref.
Credit to substitutes Jake Robinson and Doug Loft for combining to notch the injury time fourth goal. Jake got behind Lockwood and pulled it back delightfully for Loft to nod home in the six yard box.
The only disappointment was the size of the crowd - 6,003 - but a few more performances like this, together with a rise up the league table, will bring the stayaway fans back.
Nick Turrell
Labels: League One, Leyton Orient, Nick Turrell
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Who Next?
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Saturday, September 09, 2006
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So it's now open season to speculate as to who might take the helm at the Albion.
After his public announcement this week that he would consider a job outside the Premiership, Alan Curbishley would be my preferred choice.
It seems the terms of his departure from Charlton mean he can't take another job until October, so, as long as the Albion can hold their nerve for three weeks, it could be well worth waiting for...if Brighton can afford him.
Charlton must be the perfect model for how Brighton could develop over time so to appoint the man who did such a great job for them would be a fantastic coup.
Once again, though, the lack-of-stadium fiasco blights the picture and someone like Curbishley is likely to have better opportunities to pursue before too long, where there will be more money to spend to back his ambitions.
Who else could be in the frame? I'd say it's too early for Dean Wilkins to step up, but a few good results as caretaker would support his cause.
Danny Wilson's name has been mentioned but he's only just taken the reins at Hartlepool, so he may feel an obligation to hang around there for a while longer.
How about giving Paul Ince the managerial debut he's looking for?
He was keen to take on Wolves, so he doesn't lack ambition, and he must have plenty of good contacts considering the teams he's played for.
The timing of McGhee's departure is certainly strange but Knight was obviously concerned about the early season stayaway fans - rather than the vociferous ones - and considered the only way Withdean might fill up again was with a fresh approach.
Also, in his Seagulls World interview, Knight implies - but falls just short of saying - that new players didn't want to come to the Albion because of McGhee, so someone must have said something to precipitate the decision.
One thing's for sure, there are enough out-of-work football managers around to choose from. Let's hope from the fans' point of view whoever takes it on is someone who excites and enthuses sufficiently to fill the ground and get us back up to the right end of the table.Labels: League One, News 06-07, Nick Turrell
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Brentford Match Report
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Monday, August 14, 2006
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BRENTFORD nicked a point at Withdean with virtually the last kick of the game and few could genuinely deny they deserved it.
But Albion were the architects of their own failure to take all three points, rather than anything particularly special produced by Brentford.
Two-nil up before 15 minutes were on the clock, the Seagulls shamefully took their collective feet off the pedal and allowed the Bees to get back into the game - and then sting them right at the end.
Was it youthful naivety? Maybe, but we've seen it before with Brighton
- scoring two goals in a game has become so rare in recent times they think that's enough, when going on and burying a team is actually allowed.
Brentford could - and should - have been out of sight before Albion ran out of steam.
It was the third game in a week and maybe one or two were beginning to think League One is going to be a doddle.
As media commentator Mike Ward said on the truly awful post-match fans phone-in, the result actually may do us more good in the long-run because people will now take a look at themselves rather than thinking it's a piece of cake.
Expect changes for the Forest encounter. Mark McGhee wasn't getting carried away even before this disappointment and dropping two points will give him the perfect excuse to shake up the starting line-up to avoid any complacency drifting into the squad.
Wayne Henderson may well return from his midweek international call-up to discover he's only on the bench at the City Ground next Saturday.
The young Irish 'keeper made two superb point-blank stops against Gillingham but he was back to last season's line-rooted jitters on too many occasions in the second half against Brentford, and he will not want to watch a replay of the last-minute equaliser.
Adam El-Abd, who has so far performed admirably alongside Joel Lynch in the heart of the defence, might also pay the price for his culpability in failing to deal with Chris Moore's last gasp effort.
There's no doubt Henderson is a better kicker than Kuipers - with both feet.
But the former Dutch Marine deserves a run-out after impressing pre-season, and an early exchange of places would probably benefit both of them - and the team - in terms of encouraging even better performances.
Keith Lowe, brought in from Wolves as centre back cover, hasn't yet been given a start, but the Brentford result now gives McGhee the perfect excuse to give him his debut.
The highly impressive Lynch once again looked a class above his team-mates and it will be a miracle if the cash-strapped Seagulls can retain his services until the end of the season. In fact people are already saying they're nervous that he'll be snapped up before the end of the August transfer window.
The way he burst forward down the left side to cross for Gary Hart to stab in the second goal was, as the official website reported, reminiscent of the way Mark Lawrenson used to play for the Seagulls.
The similarities are not lightly bestowed upon him.
West Ham youngster Tony Stokes has shown some decent touches since his introduction but tackling is obviously not a strength and too often against Brentford he committed needless fouls. One, just outside the penalty area, led directly to O'Connor's goal from the resultant free kick (but why wasn't there a defender on the post?).
Richard Carpenter is back on form after an indifferent season in the Championship and seems to be revelling in the holding midfield role, but he needs a few more experienced heads around him to help bring on the youngsters. Dean Hammond got off the mark with a penalty after Stokes was upended in the box, but he seems uncertain of exactly where he should be playing in the new 4-1-2-3 formation.
The shaven-headed Kerry Mayo ought to be lending his experience to the youngsters but against Brentford he was once again struggling to get his own game together and with McGhee's reported enthusiasm to give Sam Rents a go, this could be another change we'll see at Nottingham.
It will also be interesting to see whether want-away Colin Kazim-Richards will return to the fold against Forest. Many of us forget he's still only a young man: there's no doubting his potential, if only he'll allow it to be harnessed in the right way. I hope he knuckles down in training this week and plays his way into the starting line-up.
It is difficult for him because Jake Robinson is looking confident and dangerous, and will have been buoyed by his winner against Gillingham.
Alex Revell is clearly enjoying a second chance at league football, but maybe now needs a game or two coming off the bench.
Gary Hart continues to give his all, as ever, but the need for a tall hold-up striker was there for all to see against Brentford.
It'll be interesting to see if that elusive player can be brought in before August 31, otherwise I fear another season of frustration after what had been a promising start.
Nick TurrellLabels: Brentford, League One, Nick Turrell
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Encouraging Signs
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Posted by David Snowball
at
Sunday, July 09, 2006
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THE first friendly of a new season should never be paid too much attention but Albion's loyal followers left Woodside Road on Saturday happy that they had seen a resounding 4-0 win in which there were, at least, some encouraging signs. These came largely in the performances of some of the triallists Mark McGhee is looking at, and the hint of a fledgling 'Little and Large' striking partnership. The first half XI gave the Albion a 1-0 interval lead courtesy of a Dean Hammond penalty after Stephane Biakolo was upended in the box. Biakolo gave some glimpses of the sort of hold-up play our forwards have lacked. Second half left back Zoumana Bagayoko was arguably the pick of the bunch of triallists, showing pace, aggression and composure. The 2nd half XI looked altogether more lively, with the tall new striker Alex Revell looking the part, and scoring on his debut, and Jake Robinson looking more like the player he was when he first broke into the Albion first team, notching two goals. One was a fine glance from Martin Brittain's right-wing cross and the other a quality solo effort when Worthing played in vain for offside. Worthing offered little genuine resistance, although a first half hack by Michel Kuipers earned a penalty which was blazed wide and the bar was rattled later in the same period. Brittain looked like he could certainly offer something with his crossing ability, and it would be good to see a bit more of Biakolo and Bagayoko. Doug Loft was disappointing on the left of midfield in the second half and Colin Kazim-Richards didn't make much impression in the first. Several of the younger players on show - like Scott Chamberlain and Dean Cox - could find themselves playing on loan with non-League teams rather than being genuine contenders for first team duty. Nick Turrell Labels: Friendly, Nick Turrell
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