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Poyet: Now we must take next step

9:30am Wednesday 10th March 2010 in


Gus Poyet has challenged Albion to take the next step on the road to recovery by beating his old club Swindon.

The Seagulls have been picking up points away from home against the League One promotion contenders but they have yet to beat any of the teams in the top half of the table at Withdean.

They claimed an overdue victory against Exeter in their last home outing and Monday's goalless draw at fourth-placed Colchester has set them up for Saturday’s visit by Swindon.

Poyet, who had a spell as assistant manager at the Wiltshire club under Dennis Wise, said: "I need us to take the next step.

“We got away from a big problem by winning (against Exeter), now we must keep going.

“There is a belief in the way we are playing and in our system. It was difficult for Colchester to come and press us.

“They were dropping and yet we were away from home. That is a good feeling for the players.”

Poyet was particularly satisfied by the big presence at the Weston Homes Community Stadium of towering Slovakian goalkeeper Peter Brezovan, with rival Michel Kuipers ruled out for the rest of the season by a broken finger.

The Uruguayan said: “That was Peter at his best, the Peter I knew, the Peter I called when I had a problem in goal, the one who is coming for crosses between six or seven six-foot-plus bodies and collecting and helping you and making things look easy.

“People don’t realise that he is coming for difficult balls sometimes and that for defenders is a great relief.

“I’m pleased for him. I think he is a great lad to have around. He is very happy at the club.

“I think the defenders know what they have got and it is good for everyone, especially not having Michel. That is a big blow for us.”

Comments(10)

wiltshire seagull says...
11:06am Wed 10 Mar 10

6' 4" James Tunnicliffe scores for MK Dons against Swindon........don't let him go, Gus.

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Big Fan says...
11:27am Wed 10 Mar 10

wiltshire seagull wrote:
6' 4" James Tunnicliffe scores for MK Dons against Swindon........don't let him go, Gus.
Agreed. Perhaps only as back up so far though... Defence is settled and performing so I am happy!

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mark by the sea says...
11:37am Wed 10 Mar 10

question is will virgo get back in side? as a top wage earner his position for next season must be under scrutiny, now saying he is not playing well, but if he keeps elphick , elabd and tunni, and i am sure he will sign a centreback.. will he keep virgs? its nice to think a player who is doing well might be released.. rather than listing the dross we have to release each year!

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Jimmy Langley says...
12:09pm Wed 10 Mar 10

Why is it "nice to think a player who is doing well might be released"?

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fred binney says...
12:16pm Wed 10 Mar 10

Its what is going on behind the scene that is impressing me. Gus is setting up a boot room, bringing in a nutrionalist and getting the players kit laundered instead of having to cart it home. On tunni he was told to improve his fitness levels and strengthen up. I do not agree with a lot of marks but i do feel virgs days may be numbered.

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Perkino says...
12:17pm Wed 10 Mar 10

It depends on the realistic ambition that the club has.

I think the 4 CB's are good enough to start in a team that can get us promoted, so I would expect to keep them unless Gus sees someone of considerably higher ability who will sign for 3 or 4 years.
The future is bright.

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kentseagull says...
12:30pm Wed 10 Mar 10

I think our 4 cbs - virgo, elphick, el abd and tunnicliffe have shown that they are good enough for next year, as have crofts, dicker, bennett and Murray. We will need to tie up Calderon, and get a left back if we can't keep Painter, a left winger, another striker and probably another central midfielder. As we may be in the market for another keeper as well I would guess that 5 signings of first team promotion pushing standard would be enough for the summer - we don't want to waste the first few months of the season for the team to settle.

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namgo49 says...
12:33pm Wed 10 Mar 10

It is no good speculating on whether Virgo can go and Tunnicliuffe return all the time we have Painter just on loan and Calderon on a short term contract.

Painter may well return to Swansea and I am sure Calderon must be attracting the attention of Championship sides as he definitely has the quality to play at that level. He is the old fashioned marauding full back in the Gary Neville style, strong when defending but equally skilful going forward.

McNulty is just too much of a lighweight at the moment and Whing does not have the quality.

Needs sorting.

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Tommy11 says...
1:04pm Wed 10 Mar 10

We need to sort out the Calderon and Painter deals out now. Both great fullbacks. With them in place and a few others on board next season, we could be play off contenders.

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Baldseagull says...
11:16pm Wed 10 Mar 10

Tommy11 wrote:
We need to sort out the Calderon and Painter deals out now. Both great fullbacks. With them in place and a few others on board next season, we could be play off contenders.
Your aim is low, automatic promotion next season will be the target.

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