I'm not saying the relegation dogfight is getting to me but at 3.23pm on Saturday I was sitting in the Press box at Portman Road when my mobile went off.

"The Americans have almost liberated Basra," said the voice at the other end of the line.

I replied: "Very commendable but how are Grimsby and Stoke getting on?"

The run-in is a bit like one of those close Oxford and Cambridge boat races, nip and tuck all the way.

I think the once mighty Sheffield Wednesday have gone but am not convinced the other two clubs joining them in Division Two next season will necessarily come from Albion, Stoke and Grimsby.

Derby County are in freefall. Their woeful form suggests they will struggle to win another game. It's quite possible Albion, with another three wins, could overtake them.

However, most fans are resigned to a final conflict in Cleethorpes against Grimsby on May 4, although what kind of game will it be if Grimsby and Albion only need a draw to send Stoke and Derby down?

Hawesy would have to prove he is the finest commentator Southern Counties Radio has ever had to make a game like that sound entertaining.

What do Portsmouth, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Wolves have in common?

The answer is they all beamed back their matches against Brighton at Withdean on to a big screens for fans at home.

Grimsby have only given Albion 1,800 tickets and if the match is not on Sky, the club must think about beaming the game back to Brighton.

Albion need look no further than Brighton racecourse as a potential venue. I know racecourse manager Phil Bell, a big Seagulls fan, is more than happy to help.

He has an indoor venue that could cater for more than 1,000 people and there is room for an open air screen outside.

I hope the club will contact Phil and explore the possibilities. It would be a big hit.

I had the privilege of interviewing Gordon Smith on my retro show last weekend and, needless to say, that Cup final chance came up in conversation.

Gordon, who is back in Brighton tomorrow with the rest of the 1983 team helping raise money for the Martlets Hospice and the Chris Adams benefit, said he had learned to live with it.

I'll always remember Smudge for scoring the first goal against Manchester United at Wembley.

Apart from the births of my two children, it was one of the greatest moments of my life. Not enough was made of Gary Bailey's brilliant save in the 120th minute which denied Albion victory.

Hart, get a grip, praising a Manchester United goalie. Whatever next?

Mind you, it's probably just as well Smith's shot was saved if the experience of former Watford striker George Reilly is anything to go by.

Reilly, whose strike for the Hornets at Villa Park in the 1984 semi-final knocked out Plymouth Argyle, was attacked in a pub last week because of his goal 19 years ago.

A disgruntled Plymouth fan with a very long memory attempted to bite off Reilly's ear. Thankfully, some customers intervened and big George can still wear his sunglasses unaided.