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Elphick is scenting promotion
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| Tommy Elphick |
Tommy Elphick has the sniff of promotion in his broken nose as Albion prepare for their biggest game of the season.
Battered by Andy Booth in Yorkshire earlier this month, Elphick is ready for a different type of test on the road to the play-offs when the blooming Seagulls return to the White Rose County to tackle Leeds tomorrow.
Jermaine Beckford will be the latest striker to challenge Elphick's defensive qualities at the end of a hectic month in which the rapidly maturing young stopper has faced Danny Graham (Carlisle), Tommy Mooney (Walsall), Mark McMammon (Doncaster), Huddersfield's Booth and, at the City Ground on Monday, Nottingham Forest's Nathan Tyson.
Booth was responsible for Elphick's busted hooter.
"It got smashed one way in the first half and then he smashed it the other way in the second half," Elphick explained.
"I'm looking more and more like one (a centre-half) every day!
"It's still a bit sore but that is the least of my worries with all the games we've had.
"They have all been contrasting as well. Booth has played in the Premier League. He is very experienced and throws his body on the line.
"Then we have been playing against the classier types that haven't quite made it as far as they should have done, so it's great experience.
"We dealt with Beckford pretty well last time (when Leeds won 1-0 at Withdean). We kept him quiet.
"He's a similar player to Tyson. He brings a lot of pace but obviously his goal ratio is a bit better.
"He scored two the other day (against Walsall) so his confidence will be flying high but we will just be looking to defend how we usually do."
Doncaster could not find a way past Elphick and Co. and another clean sheet in Monday's goalless draw at Forest in front of 18,000 was enough to edge Albion back into the play-off zone.
Elphick, clearly relishing his first season as a first team regular, said: "Apart from my debut away to Reading that was probably the biggest crowd I've played in front of.
"It was a massive game for us. The whole occasion was brilliant and the travelling fans lifted us. It helped when we were defending that end in the second half."
Forest was special but Elphick regards tomorrow's trip to Elland Road as even better.
"Leeds have been getting bigger crowds than Forest all season and this is definitely the biggest game of the season so far," he said.
"When the fixtures came out at the start of the season the first game everyone was looking for was Leeds away.
"Our form speaks for itself and the onus is definitely on them to beat us because they are playing catch-up at the moment.
"We always had the belief we could get into the top six, even when we were lower down with games in hand. It's nicer to be chased, rather than being one of the chasers ourselves.
"Everyone is buzzing. We are in the play-offs now and it is really down to us. There are no nerves or anxiety within the squad.
"I'm oblivious to what is going on really. It's all new to me and I am loving every minute. Hopefully we can just stay in there and have something to look forward to at the end of the season."
8:00am Friday 28th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Graham, Dennis Skinner country on 3:14pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Go Tommy! Future captain in the making.
Let's have a 50/1 winner tomorrow.
Go Tommy! Future captain in the making.
Let's have a 50/1 winner tomorrow.
Posted by: DJ, WORTHING on 3:15pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Maturing into a Very good centre back, an influencial part of the current Seagulls sqaud, another upcoming player from the youth set up.Who needs to be kept A SEAGULL!!
Maturing into a Very good centre back, an influencial part of the current Seagulls sqaud, another upcoming player from the youth set up.Who needs to be kept A SEAGULL!!
Posted by: p, here on 4:23pm Fri 28 Mar 08
I'll echo the above. He'll play in the Premiership one day (he already could) - but as captain of the Albion! At Falmer.
I'll echo the above. He'll play in the Premiership one day (he already could) - but as captain of the Albion! At Falmer.
Posted by: Neil, Nottingham on 5:06pm Fri 28 Mar 08
Elphick and Forster have been far the best palyers this season. A favourite of mine and many other albion fans. However, to say he is good enough for the premiership already is a step too far. The difference between the premiership and league one is HUGE. But still he seems to have great potential and a cool head. Come on boys lets sneak a win tomorrow. SEA SEA SEASIDERS!!
Elphick and Forster have been far the best palyers this season. A favourite of mine and many other albion fans. However, to say he is good enough for the premiership already is a step too far. The difference between the premiership and league one is HUGE. But still he seems to have great potential and a cool head. Come on boys lets sneak a win tomorrow. SEA SEA SEASIDERS!!
Posted by: brighton_tom, Kent on 5:42pm Fri 28 Mar 08
future captain.....
Posted by: P, here on 5:47pm Fri 28 Mar 08
"Huge"!!! Neil, that's why there's only one team from the premiership in the last 4 for the FA Cup!?
He could play at that level. He thrives when up against a strong opposition.
Anyway, I'm putting a tenner on us winning tomorrow!!
Promotion here we come!!!
"Huge"!!! Neil, that's why there's only one team from the premiership in the last 4 for the FA Cup!?
He could play at that level. He thrives when up against a strong opposition.
Anyway, I'm putting a tenner on us winning tomorrow!!
Promotion here we come!!!
Posted by: Brian, Hove on 7:13am Sat 29 Mar 08
PREMIERSHIP HA HA HA HA HA HA HA. FALMER HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.
PREMIERSHIP HA HA HA HA HA HA HA. FALMER HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.
Posted by: Disgusted of T.Wells on 7:44am Sat 29 Mar 08
Brian..... (Is that Dangerous Brian?)
Your eloquence astounds us.
Brian..... (Is that Dangerous Brian?)
Your eloquence astounds us.
Posted by: Drew, Burgess Hill on 11:51am Sat 29 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Disgusted of T.Wells[/bold] wrote:
Brian..... (Is that Dangerous Brian?) Your eloquence astounds us. [/quote] I wouldn't critizise someone called Brian lest we forget he was once mistaken for the messiah!!!
Disgusted of T.Wells wrote:
Brian..... (Is that Dangerous Brian?) Your eloquence astounds us.
I wouldn't critizise someone called Brian lest we forget he was once mistaken for the messiah!!!
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