Albion's Barnes faces one last yellow peril (From The Argus)

Nice to see they saved the really big news story for Christmas Day.......

A very Merry Christmas to all on here.

Regarding Barnes, I hope that someone gave him a door for Christmas and not a bench. That way he might be able to practice hitting it.

What would be nice is to get the champions league off this site, all the voices are boring!!!

Happy Christmas to all.

Happy Christmas one and all...even to you Gussetsnatcher! SEAGULLS!!!

BobbyLaverick wrote:
A very Merry Christmas to all on here.

Regarding Barnes, I hope that someone gave him a door for Christmas and not a bench. That way he might be able to practice hitting it.

No he got a cows arse and a banjo,missed that as well apparently!

10-10pm for you guys so you will all have had your Christmas dinner, 8 hours behind you here so still waiting for mine.

I think the first half of the season has been interesting. We have shown pure class at times, (Wednesday at home being one) and at other times we have looked good but failed to collect.

Compared to last season we have shown that we can come from behind, even if only to salvage a point, but this season we have gone behind a tad too often.

CMS has scored 10 but could have had 15. We have created so many chances it's unreal but our other strikers have also missed too many.

Our back five have been very consistent but injuries have wreaked havoc with that unit. We still don't see our defenders hitting the net from set pieces.

On the whole our midfield has performed well in defense but we have lacked a strong play maker, a driving force going forward.

Bruno and Orlandi have so far proven to be good assets, Dobbie and Hammond less so. David is starting to come on strong now that he is getting more playing time, Crofts seems to be dropping off a tad.

All in all it has been a mixed first half of the season, we have not played at our best but we retain a decent position in the table. Considering the injuries we have sustained to key players, and the fact that one or two of our forwards at times, have lost their touch, we really should be pleased with our position.

Those that make up most of our first choice players can do better, and that bodes well for the second half of the season. There will be additions to the squad, and some will go. We might lose a player we don't want to lose but that loss, we hope, will be out weighed by his replacement.



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VS points out that David is starting to come on strong now that he is getting more playing time. I think that previously also applied to Orlandi. I hope that Gus gives more playing time to Hoskins and Dobbie, because I think they will both get much better with a few games under their belts. Hoskins has played well in a number of games, but was unfairly (in my opinion) left out of the starting 11 against Millwall. Dobbie could be forgiven for putting 2 fingers up and just picking up his wage packet, because he has been so under-used that he must surely be fed-up with the whole set-up. If Gus keeps rotating the squad, so that some players get one start in three, and are lucky to get more than 10 minutes off the bench, then we will continue to see inconsistent displays, and those players fail to make an impact. Some players like Lua Lua are impact players and can impress in short bursts. I would suggest that Dobbie, Hoskins and Lopez do not fit into that category. They need more playing time, and in Hoskins case, the chance to play alongside CMS, not be a substitute for him.

So you saying Poyet is the wrong man for the job Vince?

So you saying Poyet is the wrong man for the job Vince?

VegasSeagull wrote:
10-10pm for you guys so you will all have had your Christmas dinner, 8 hours behind you here so still waiting for mine.

I think the first half of the season has been interesting. We have shown pure class at times, (Wednesday at home being one) and at other times we have looked good but failed to collect.

Compared to last season we have shown that we can come from behind, even if only to salvage a point, but this season we have gone behind a tad too often.

CMS has scored 10 but could have had 15. We have created so many chances it's unreal but our other strikers have also missed too many.

Our back five have been very consistent but injuries have wreaked havoc with that unit. We still don't see our defenders hitting the net from set pieces.

On the whole our midfield has performed well in defense but we have lacked a strong play maker, a driving force going forward.

Bruno and Orlandi have so far proven to be good assets, Dobbie and Hammond less so. David is starting to come on strong now that he is getting more playing time, Crofts seems to be dropping off a tad.

All in all it has been a mixed first half of the season, we have not played at our best but we retain a decent position in the table. Considering the injuries we have sustained to key players, and the fact that one or two of our forwards at times, have lost their touch, we really should be pleased with our position.

Those that make up most of our first choice players can do better, and that bodes well for the second half of the season. There will be additions to the squad, and some will go. We might lose a player we don't want to lose but that loss, we hope, will be out weighed by his replacement.



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Very good post Vagas seagull.Its clear you have a good understandng of the game my friend.Unlike the people that just want to get more free money for their friends & family

January will give us a clear picture of our short term ambition, are we gonna chase the big bucks next season, or are we going to continue our steady but measured development towards a sustained Premiership tenure ? Where's your money people?

Alfie I think GUS and TB see that there is a good chance this season, possibly a chance that is not wholely deserved. This division is hard to get out of and easy to fall back into but this year, everyone seems to be dropping points.

Our form suggests that we should be lower in the table but our general play has been good. If they believe that all it is going to take is a correction or two up front, I think they will go for it, they will spend the money.

If we don't make a serious run at the prem this year we will have a problem for next.
If we get promoted there will be a big clear out, so many of our squad are not prem standard, but that's ok because we will be in the prem and we would expect to have a clear out. Money would be there to buy top players who would know how to play in the prem.

If we don't make it this year, we can expect a smaller clear out and we have several players whose contracts are coming up for renewal. If we can't keep the players we want to keep, next season could see maybe one third of the squad gone. Our next squad would have to start the process all over again, and by process I mean, playing the Poyet way, playing good football.

VegasSeagull wrote:
Alfie I think GUS and TB see that there is a good chance this season, possibly a chance that is not wholely deserved. This division is hard to get out of and easy to fall back into but this year, everyone seems to be dropping points.

Our form suggests that we should be lower in the table but our general play has been good. If they believe that all it is going to take is a correction or two up front, I think they will go for it, they will spend the money.

If we don't make a serious run at the prem this year we will have a problem for next.
If we get promoted there will be a big clear out, so many of our squad are not prem standard, but that's ok because we will be in the prem and we would expect to have a clear out. Money would be there to buy top players who would know how to play in the prem.

If we don't make it this year, we can expect a smaller clear out and we have several players whose contracts are coming up for renewal. If we can't keep the players we want to keep, next season could see maybe one third of the squad gone. Our next squad would have to start the process all over again, and by process I mean, playing the Poyet way, playing good football.

Agree, why wait if we get a chance, worry about the squad quality in the close season, however the close season is very short, I believe it kicks off the 3rd of August? So there would need to be some very swift and astute business done, would like to think that some targets are already on the radar.

Alfie the problem I have is that I am not sure how we fix our attack.
If we don't sell do we have the money to buy. If we do sell will we have money to replace those that go and also buy those we need.
If the idea is to sell CMS I think thta would be wrong. Sell one striker to buy another, the one striker who has been scoring this season.

It seems to me that the only real way we can invest is if we do what the fans won't like, sell Bridcutt.
Bridcutt could go, we have Orlandi coming back from injury, one would hope Vicente too. David is starting to find his place within the team, three players that could slot into midfield in the absense of Bridcutt. If Bridcutt were out for a couple of months due to injury one of those guys would be called upon.

I can't see the sale of Hoskins giving us enough money to spend as the lad has yet to find his scoring boots. Buckley could be the one to go but again, we would have to spend to replace him.

For me if we need to sell in order to buy, then Bridcutt is the only option, even if we don't like it.

I wouldn't be surprised if GP leaves Barnesy on the bench against Watford to avoid the risk of suspension.

VegasSeagull wrote:
Alfie the problem I have is that I am not sure how we fix our attack.
If we don't sell do we have the money to buy. If we do sell will we have money to replace those that go and also buy those we need.
If the idea is to sell CMS I think thta would be wrong. Sell one striker to buy another, the one striker who has been scoring this season.

It seems to me that the only real way we can invest is if we do what the fans won't like, sell Bridcutt.
Bridcutt could go, we have Orlandi coming back from injury, one would hope Vicente too. David is starting to find his place within the team, three players that could slot into midfield in the absense of Bridcutt. If Bridcutt were out for a couple of months due to injury one of those guys would be called upon.

I can't see the sale of Hoskins giving us enough money to spend as the lad has yet to find his scoring boots. Buckley could be the one to go but again, we would have to spend to replace him.

For me if we need to sell in order to buy, then Bridcutt is the only option, even if we don't like it.

Bridcutt for me is outstanding in the holding role, I would hate to see him go, he breaks up attacks,sets up our play going forward, for his size unbelievable in the air, only thing lacking is the odd goal. For me bring in one class striker, Graham from Swansea would be top of my list. I think the money is there for one quality purchase if we get an offer for Barnes, Hoskins, Harley just take it. Orlandi is coming back and he is a classy player, one big money striker and we have a real chance.

Alfie I would love to think that you are right, one striker and all our woes will be over.

Bring in a single striker and drop Barnes, I guess that would be the thinking, correct?

If the new striker gets injured we are back to square one.

I am totally convinced we need two new strikers, Wood could be one for 2 million but we would also need one better than him, and thta player would cost more than 2 million.

Wood could give us some much needed airial attack and he could hold the ball up, he is a strong lad. We are still short one clinical finisher. If we have some new money to buy players great, if not, then sadly I see the only sale we could handle would be Bridcutt.

We might lose a little in mid-field if he went but we would gain up front. I see Orlandi becoming very important, could he fill Bridcutt's shoes?

VegasSeagull wrote:
Alfie the problem I have is that I am not sure how we fix our attack.
If we don't sell do we have the money to buy. If we do sell will we have money to replace those that go and also buy those we need.
If the idea is to sell CMS I think thta would be wrong. Sell one striker to buy another, the one striker who has been scoring this season.

It seems to me that the only real way we can invest is if we do what the fans won't like, sell Bridcutt.
Bridcutt could go, we have Orlandi coming back from injury, one would hope Vicente too. David is starting to find his place within the team, three players that could slot into midfield in the absense of Bridcutt. If Bridcutt were out for a couple of months due to injury one of those guys would be called upon.

I can't see the sale of Hoskins giving us enough money to spend as the lad has yet to find his scoring boots. Buckley could be the one to go but again, we would have to spend to replace him.

For me if we need to sell in order to buy, then Bridcutt is the only option, even if we don't like it.

As I said on a different tread ( re Poyet warning other clubs off CMS, Buckley etc) Poyet is faced with a dilemma as you point out VegasSeagull.
How does he finance the freshening up of the squad he is on record as saying is needed and the buying of another striker in particular ?
Whilst I hope CMS remains it is only by selling him or possibly Buckley that might generate sufficient funds. Of course one doesn't know how much money is available in the budget already so it is feasible that no 'high profile' sale would be needed. Given our excellent gates so far this season the budget might be in better shape than one might suppose.
Since the Transfer Window opens in less than a week no doubt all will be revealed soon.
Happy New Year.

Vince wrote:
VS points out that David is starting to come on strong now that he is getting more playing time. I think that previously also applied to Orlandi. I hope that Gus gives more playing time to Hoskins and Dobbie, because I think they will both get much better with a few games under their belts. Hoskins has played well in a number of games, but was unfairly (in my opinion) left out of the starting 11 against Millwall. Dobbie could be forgiven for putting 2 fingers up and just picking up his wage packet, because he has been so under-used that he must surely be fed-up with the whole set-up. If Gus keeps rotating the squad, so that some players get one start in three, and are lucky to get more than 10 minutes off the bench, then we will continue to see inconsistent displays, and those players fail to make an impact. Some players like Lua Lua are impact players and can impress in short bursts. I would suggest that Dobbie, Hoskins and Lopez do not fit into that category. They need more playing time, and in Hoskins case, the chance to play alongside CMS, not be a substitute for him.

An excellent Post to start the post Christmas period with.

VegasSeagull wrote:
Alfie I would love to think that you are right, one striker and all our woes will be over.

Bring in a single striker and drop Barnes, I guess that would be the thinking, correct?

If the new striker gets injured we are back to square one.

I am totally convinced we need two new strikers, Wood could be one for 2 million but we would also need one better than him, and thta player would cost more than 2 million.

Wood could give us some much needed airial attack and he could hold the ball up, he is a strong lad. We are still short one clinical finisher. If we have some new money to buy players great, if not, then sadly I see the only sale we could handle would be Bridcutt.

We might lose a little in mid-field if he went but we would gain up front. I see Orlandi becoming very important, could he fill Bridcutt's shoes?

If we get the right man, then I'm convinced we will see the best in Macca, Orlandi in the holding role, no doubt he could do it, but he is more of a flair player, I wouldn't want to see him restricted.

Buckley is the one leaving according to someone I spoke to at lunchtime.

sussexram40 wrote:
Buckley is the one leaving according to someone I spoke to at lunchtime.

Oh well, must be true then....

ballantrrae wrote:

Vince wrote:
VS points out that David is starting to come on strong now that he is getting more playing time. I think that previously also applied to Orlandi. I hope that Gus gives more playing time to Hoskins and Dobbie, because I think they will both get much better with a few games under their belts. Hoskins has played well in a number of games, but was unfairly (in my opinion) left out of the starting 11 against Millwall. Dobbie could be forgiven for putting 2 fingers up and just picking up his wage packet, because he has been so under-used that he must surely be fed-up with the whole set-up. If Gus keeps rotating the squad, so that some players get one start in three, and are lucky to get more than 10 minutes off the bench, then we will continue to see inconsistent displays, and those players fail to make an impact. Some players like Lua Lua are impact players and can impress in short bursts. I would suggest that Dobbie, Hoskins and Lopez do not fit into that category. They need more playing time, and in Hoskins case, the chance to play alongside CMS, not be a substitute for him.

An excellent Post to start the post Christmas period with.

Nail on the head!. UTA

I find it hard to think that Brighton will do much trading in the window. Will some of the fringe players go, well yes if we get offers that we can accept but I don't think they will be allowed to go for peanuts, let them go just to get rid. Loan deals for the fringe is my bet.

Trading for players to get us promoted, of course that's the aim but again maybe not too much movement. I think it could be just one out and two in.

The window is a short one and we would hope that talks are already on going. I am not so sure that our inbound players will be that big, in terms of stature, maybe two such as, Wood and Crouch. Buy Wood and borrow Crouch, both would compliment CMS and Hoskins. I could see Dobbie feeding of either of them if he played slightly further forward, and CMS would love the extra service they could provide and they both can score goals themseleves.