Ulloa ready to live up to top billing

1:00pm Friday 18th January 2013 in Sport By Andy Naylor

Ulloa meets the media at The Amex Ulloa meets the media at The Amex

LEONARDO Ulloa has vowed to live up to the expectations of Albion supporters in his first taste of English football.

The Seagulls have ended their 18-month search for a target man by signing Ulloa from Spanish club Almeria for around £2 million.

The wait for a replacement since the club were priced out, in wage terms, of retaining the services of Crystal Palace marksman Glenn Murray has heightened the focus on Ulloa.

The 26-year-old Argentinian revealed: “I am ready to match the expectations. It is going to take me a while but I think soon I am going to be ready. I’m going to be helping the team and repaying the trust the club and the manager have put in me.”

Ulloa trained for the first time at The Amex on Wednesday and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Birmingham, where he is likely to be on the bench providing Albion receive international clearance by today’s noon deadline.

He admits it may take time to adjust to the cold weather and the Championship but is grateful to be part of Albion’s future under Gus Poyet after agreeing a four-and-a-half year contract.

“My first training was difficult, very cold,” he said. “I think off the pitch I am going to adapt to the cold better than on the pitch but soon I am going to be fine with it.

“I haven’t watched much of the Championship, a few games, but I can tell it is very physical and it is going to be very competitive.

“I think it’s going to be a difficult league to play in but I think I am going to adapt as soon as possible and be ready to play.

“I am very glad to be here and very thankful to the club that they want me. Gus really helped to make my decision. He told me what his aims are for the club and I feel part of the project.”

Poyet believes Ulloa can live up to his billing. He said: “We checked a lot about his character. He wants to keep improving and play at the highest level. If it’s with us great, if not then he needs to get there by himself and that means he needs to perform.

“The hunger and that mentality to keep improving and proving himself is there, which is great for the club.”

Ulloa is guaranteed a swift full debut. Albion, fresh from a hat-trick of victories to kick-off 2013, follow the Birmingham game with a visit to Blackburn on Tuesday and are then at home to Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup a week tomorrow.

Poyet said: “Sometimes the sooner the better. He is a little bit unlucky, because he has come to the club when we have won three in a row and we haven’t done that for a while, so other players have been doing well, but we will manage it the best way we can.

“We have got three unbelievable games coming up and I think it’s a great opportunity to use the squad in the right way.”

Comments(41)

albionfan33 says...
1:24pm Fri 18 Jan 13

does anyone know if the arsnal game is on tv?

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Bob! says...
1:25pm Fri 18 Jan 13

albionfan33 wrote:
does anyone know if the arsnal game is on tv?
Not in the UK

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SMF20 says...
1:29pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I have to say that my 1st impressions of this guy are very positive.

He seems to be saying all of the right things and his body language appears to be spot on.

Welcome to our great club Leo, I hope you'll enjoy us as much as I anticipate us enjoying you.

Uta

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albionfan33 says...
1:45pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Bob! wrote:
albionfan33 wrote:
does anyone know if the arsnal game is on tv?
Not in the UK
there is potential to find a site that might show it then?

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northstand4 says...
2:00pm Fri 18 Jan 13

http://www.thefirstr
ow.eu/sport/football
.html

This is the place for live game streams these days ;-)

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saraman says...
2:12pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Who's the guy on Ulloa's right. A translator maybe?

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Albion23 says...
2:17pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Never streamed before. Could you clue me in to how ift works to get the game. Much appreciated thanks. Agree with the view Alloa looks good to go. U.T. A..

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fratsomrover says...
2:22pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Let's hope he can live up to the hype.
Having lived in Las Palmas for a while I saw several Spanish 2nd division games and to be honest I would say the standard of play was somewhat below that of The Championship. As he also wasn't considered the first choice centre forward for Almeira this season I hope this hype is justified. Maybe best not to expect too much too soon. Not being negative, just realistic but hoping he'll make an impact all the same.

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championshipgull says...
2:44pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Brighton Have Bid Rejected For Newcastle And Sunderland Target Virgil Van Dijk
http://tyneandwear.s
ky.com/sportsnews/ar
ticle/53338

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championshipgull says...
2:46pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Gus has gone 5th in line with Sky bet to be the next permanent Chelsea manager after Benitez.
Jose Mourinho 7/4
Jurgen Klopp 4/1
Guus Hiddink 8/1
Michael Laudrup 10/1
Gus Poyet 12/1
A long way from going yet but it shows how highly our manager is regarded in the football world .

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mikeygit says...
2:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Gus's work is not finished here by a long way--HANDS OFF---but cannot seriously think that Gus is a contender--and would he want to work under a'dodgy' Russian??

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albionfan33 says...
3:05pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Albion23 wrote:
Never streamed before. Could you clue me in to how ift works to get the game. Much appreciated thanks. Agree with the view Alloa looks good to go. U.T. A..
go on the link 2 up from here click on the game u want to watch and off you go try to avoid the ads etc they are nonsense

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Hector66 says...
3:14pm Fri 18 Jan 13

thanks for that link

there is another, from sport or something like that, shows loads of live sport not just footie

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Hector66 says...
3:14pm Fri 18 Jan 13

www.fromsport.com

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Alfie T says...
3:15pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I hope he doesn't go and I don't think he will, not just yet anyway. But to those who think his lack of experience would be an issue, I disagree. Gus is very talented, lives and breathes the game and has a belief in how the game should be played. I cannot see his philosophy changing at Brighton or Chelsea. There is not another side in the Championship who play the way we do, and that's why I think we frighten other sides. I have never enjoyed a style of football more than than what I am witnessing from this team, and long may it continue.

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Jonathan Mouette says...
3:18pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Interesting footnote from GP on this article...
'We have got three unbelievable games coming up and I think it’s a great opportunity to use the squad in the right way.'
Does this mean we will have CA between the sticks again for the cup tie...? Hope not. (Sorry Casper.)

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Hovite says...
3:35pm Fri 18 Jan 13

He did alright between the sticks against NFC and we tend to use our 2nd GK in FA Cup ties, like most clubs.

However, I think Kusz may draw the line against Arsenal.

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albionfan33 says...
3:52pm Fri 18 Jan 13

we have had an official bid rejected for van dyke from fc gronigen 6ft4 cb dutch under21 player i doubt he was a marine though hehe

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VegasSeagull says...
3:53pm Fri 18 Jan 13

To those wondering if the game will be seen via a web site.
It is my understanding that unless the game is being televised it is impossible to see it on the web. If UK tv companies are not broadcasting the match then I doubt there is any chance of seeing it on the web.

There has to be a live feed for web sites to show the match and I can't see foreign tv companies sending a crew to cover it.

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AZChas says...
3:59pm Fri 18 Jan 13

VegasSeagull wrote:
To those wondering if the game will be seen via a web site.
It is my understanding that unless the game is being televised it is impossible to see it on the web. If UK tv companies are not broadcasting the match then I doubt there is any chance of seeing it on the web.

There has to be a live feed for web sites to show the match and I can't see foreign tv companies sending a crew to cover it.
The match is being shown live on Fox Soccer Channel in the US, so there probably will be a live stream available on the internet.

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wiseman of hove says...
4:34pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Hovite wrote:
He did alright between the sticks against NFC and we tend to use our 2nd GK in FA Cup ties, like most clubs.

However, I think Kusz may draw the line against Arsenal.
Agreed. I would think TK would be pretty hacked off if he did not make the team for such a glamour tie - particularly as his international rival is between the posts at the other end!
I personally hope that the manager picks what he considers to be his strongest team although I appreciate that others prefer some key players to be 'rested'. Who would want to miss out on this one?

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Hovite says...
5:03pm Fri 18 Jan 13

If the game is off tomorrow I think we will def start as per usual in the FA Cup with Vicente and Leo on the bench.

Depends if they and we have a game tomorrow?

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saraman says...
5:29pm Fri 18 Jan 13

The Adkins sacking has attracted over 600 postings on The Daily Echo site. Must be a record. Boy are the Saints fans angry. A few of the WUM's are having a field day. What a load of plonkers The Saints board must be.

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SMF20 says...
5:55pm Fri 18 Jan 13

albionfan33 wrote:
we have had an official bid rejected for van dyke from fc gronigen 6ft4 cb dutch under21 player i doubt he was a marine though hehe
Isn't it great that we are even mentioned alongside some of the big boys from the premiership.
This bid may well have been rejected but who would have thought we would be bidding 2 million for a young centre back only days after spending the same amount ish on a new striker.
If any needed proof as to the managements intent for this season, I don't think they will need it any further.
I have to chuckle though in that within the space of a week, our club go from talking about an 8/16 million pound loss to trying to spend 4 million.

Only at the Albion :)

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saraman says...
6:06pm Fri 18 Jan 13

As I posted before, £8m is chicken feed within the great scheme of things. It will be returned 10 or 20 fold.

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Hovite says...
6:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

This £8m also takes into account paying back the loan to pay for the Amex. This has to be at least £10m a year. Obviously an interest free loan was agreed, but this would probably have consequences if it is not paid back within the agreed period.

Does anyone know how much time TB has to pay this £100m back?

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saraman says...
6:27pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Hovite wrote:
This £8m also takes into account paying back the loan to pay for the Amex. This has to be at least £10m a year. Obviously an interest free loan was agreed, but this would probably have consequences if it is not paid back within the agreed period. Does anyone know how much time TB has to pay this £100m back?
I suppose if it's his own money there is no time limit. As TB is an Albion supporter he will not press the issue to put the club he loves in danger. We are the same by investing in our season tickets and trusting we will be rewarded by greater status in the future. What price do we place on glory?

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Hovite says...
6:35pm Fri 18 Jan 13

saraman wrote:
Hovite wrote:
This £8m also takes into account paying back the loan to pay for the Amex. This has to be at least £10m a year. Obviously an interest free loan was agreed, but this would probably have consequences if it is not paid back within the agreed period. Does anyone know how much time TB has to pay this £100m back?
I suppose if it's his own money there is no time limit. As TB is an Albion supporter he will not press the issue to put the club he loves in danger. We are the same by investing in our season tickets and trusting we will be rewarded by greater status in the future. What price do we place on glory?
TB didn't loan the money to the club, He borrowed £100 million from an outside source.

He has to pay this back, but he has an interest free arrangement, however there would be a payment time clause where there will be massive penalties if it is not paid back within an arranged time period.

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Baldseagull says...
6:45pm Fri 18 Jan 13

saraman wrote:
Hovite wrote:
This £8m also takes into account paying back the loan to pay for the Amex. This has to be at least £10m a year. Obviously an interest free loan was agreed, but this would probably have consequences if it is not paid back within the agreed period. Does anyone know how much time TB has to pay this £100m back?
I suppose if it's his own money there is no time limit. As TB is an Albion supporter he will not press the issue to put the club he loves in danger. We are the same by investing in our season tickets and trusting we will be rewarded by greater status in the future. What price do we place on glory?
I believe the loan will convert to shares if not paid back within a certain time, don't know how long that is, but it is not an open ended deal.

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tonytowner1 says...
7:19pm Fri 18 Jan 13

“My first training was difficult, very cold,” he said. “I think off the pitch I am going to adapt to the cold better than on the pitch but soon I am going to be fine with it.

Best leave him till mid March onwards then!!

Just kidding - he is going to be the panacea we have seeked - gut feel!!

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hannover seagull says...
8:13pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Hovite wrote:
This £8m also takes into account paying back the loan to pay for the Amex. This has to be at least £10m a year. Obviously an interest free loan was agreed, but this would probably have consequences if it is not paid back within the agreed period.

Does anyone know how much time TB has to pay this £100m back?
100 Poker games?

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hannover seagull says...
8:17pm Fri 18 Jan 13

hannover seagull wrote:
Hovite wrote:
This £8m also takes into account paying back the loan to pay for the Amex. This has to be at least £10m a year. Obviously an interest free loan was agreed, but this would probably have consequences if it is not paid back within the agreed period.

Does anyone know how much time TB has to pay this £100m back?
100 Poker games?
And by the way

I thought we owed him the money

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WisdomSpeaks says...
8:33pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Seems to have been a favourite of all aged supporters!!! - Looking forward to seeing him operate for us.

http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?feature=fvw
p&v=v72m7Wo0AKM&NR=1

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Tony the tiger eastbourne says...
8:35pm Fri 18 Jan 13

saraman wrote:
The Adkins sacking has attracted over 600 postings on The Daily Echo site. Must be a record. Boy are the Saints fans angry. A few of the WUM's are having a field day. What a load of plonkers The Saints board must be.
Totally agree with you on that. I thought Atkins has done a good job at Saints, and again due to foreign investment, he's had to go. Glad we have a chairman that's Albion through & through.

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VegasSeagull says...
8:47pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Hovite I have always been under the impression that Tony Bloom dipped into his own pocket to the tune of around 80 million, I am sure that I read this somewhere some time last season.

To who ever it was that posted that the cup game is being shown on Fox Sports USA, that's great news for me. What I don't get though is that Fox Sports is owned by Rupert Murdoch who also owns Sky so surely if the game is being covered by Sky then why would it not be on UK Sky Sports channel.



,

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Hovite says...
9:01pm Fri 18 Jan 13

hannover seagull wrote:
hannover seagull wrote:
Hovite wrote:
This £8m also takes into account paying back the loan to pay for the Amex. This has to be at least £10m a year. Obviously an interest free loan was agreed, but this would probably have consequences if it is not paid back within the agreed period.

Does anyone know how much time TB has to pay this £100m back?
100 Poker games?
And by the way

I thought we owed him the money
No I'm pretty sure he owes the money.

Vegas, TB has money but was never that rich.

If anyone else can clear this up, it would be good to hear?

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Alfie T says...
9:16pm Fri 18 Jan 13

VegasSeagull wrote:
Hovite I have always been under the impression that Tony Bloom dipped into his own pocket to the tune of around 80 million, I am sure that I read this somewhere some time last season.

To who ever it was that posted that the cup game is being shown on Fox Sports USA, that's great news for me. What I don't get though is that Fox Sports is owned by Rupert Murdoch who also owns Sky so surely if the game is being covered by Sky then why would it not be on UK Sky Sports channel.



,
Correct, the stadium is funded by Bloom, the Albion will pay back this lone on an interest free basis over a number of years. TB's wealth is not common knowledge, however it is believed to be very significant.

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hannover seagull says...
10:07pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Hovite wrote:
hannover seagull wrote:
hannover seagull wrote:
Hovite wrote:
This £8m also takes into account paying back the loan to pay for the Amex. This has to be at least £10m a year. Obviously an interest free loan was agreed, but this would probably have consequences if it is not paid back within the agreed period.

Does anyone know how much time TB has to pay this £100m back?
100 Poker games?
And by the way

I thought we owed him the money
No I'm pretty sure he owes the money.

Vegas, TB has money but was never that rich.

If anyone else can clear this up, it would be good to hear?
Hovite

TB has significant wealth in Australia and Far East
It is in fact an interest free loan but I do feel one day (as much as I hate to think this) he will have to seek other investors if we get to the so called promised land of the Premiership

I know that he and his family are like Brighton Rock and love the club to the core, but the next level is Billionaires playground.

UTA.................
.............

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Hovite says...
10:34pm Fri 18 Jan 13

I wouldn't rule this out in the future, even if he only sells 51% of it.

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VegasSeagull says...
10:50pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Well Hovite we got thru another day with our players intact. Sad about the Dutchman but we can everything, can we.

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Hovite says...
11:49pm Fri 18 Jan 13

Yep at least we tried

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