Lopez snubbed Spain's top-flight for Albion move (From The Argus)

Excited.

He does not look particularly excited about wearing the glorious blue and white stripes!

Yep - very keen to see this conquistador!

Trouble is that with a few good performances we'll be looking over our shoulders with worry that a "bigger" club will try to tempt him away before that option of a "few more seasons" becomes a reality. Feel as if we've been there before....

It will be interesting to see where he fits in and how much of a role he plays. I'm guessing we have signed him on a one year deal with an option of another year.
Has good expereince and should be an assett, another quality option to increase competition for places. In Gus we trust!

It he has the same impact as his other compatriot Seagulls, I think we all have just cause to be extremely excited about our prospects this season. Strength in depth has never been a term widely applied to the Albion in recent years, but now.........!!

Way to go, Gus.

Next Friday feels like light years away. What a boring weekend this will be.

It's always nice to obtain quality players but when you add quality and experience together then you have someone who can make a difference.

Experience can count for so much on the field of play, the weight of the pass, seeming to have more time on the ball, nothing is rushed, and doing the simple things right. Anticipation can give you a yard start on your opponent and with experience comes anticipation.

Lopez, like a few of our players, could end up having a big impact on our season this year.

I can't wait for next Friday. If the new guys can replicate what they've been doing elsewhere and add it to what we already have it's going to quite a ride this season.

There you go Alfie T; The Argus must have read your request for news on the new lads and their views on team mates and personal ambitions etc...;o)

It's nice to see David already talking about an extended stay. Yes he will have to prove himself and yes we may have to fight to keep him if he does but for now I'll take his enthusiasm and hunger at face value and wish him a happy and successful Albion career. Welcome David, enjoy your stay.

Too many Harveys.

These are very exciting times for the fans of Brighton and I think they are also somewhat concerning times for our opponents.

When opposing managers sit in their offices working on their team sheet for the upcoming match against us just look at what they need to work out.

Where is the weakness in Brighton's back four?
Bridge, Bruno, Greer and El Abd all read the game well, all know how to defend corners/set peices and all are strong and very comfortable when playing the ball out of defense.

How do we take command of the midfield?
We have so many quality options in midfield, players with different skill sets and all experienced enough to be able to switch the pattern of play when called upon to do so.
We have speed in midfield, controlled play makers and thsoe that can bust out deliver fire power. Our midfield also know how and when to get back help defend when needed.

How do we quash the threat from Brighton's strikers?
Well first they need to work out just where our attacks will come from. Will Bridge and Bruno push raid from the back. Will Lopez, Lua Lua or maybe Orlandi go wide or maybe Orlandi will come through the middle. Can they keep pace with CMS, can they snuff out Dobbie and if they do does that only give CMS more room.

Of course if they work out all of the above then they had better consider, Barnes, Buckly, Vicente, Dicker, Hammond just to name a few of our options.

Team sheets get posted just one hour before a match, Brighton can now choose from at least eighteen players and those players can offer many dfferent options as to what pattern we play.

I'd say that that is a headache for any opposing manager.


,

VegasSeagull wrote:
Too many Harveys.

These are very exciting times for the fans of Brighton and I think they are also somewhat concerning times for our opponents.

When opposing managers sit in their offices working on their team sheet for the upcoming match against us just look at what they need to work out.

Where is the weakness in Brighton's back four?
Bridge, Bruno, Greer and El Abd all read the game well, all know how to defend corners/set peices and all are strong and very comfortable when playing the ball out of defense.

How do we take command of the midfield?
We have so many quality options in midfield, players with different skill sets and all experienced enough to be able to switch the pattern of play when called upon to do so.
We have speed in midfield, controlled play makers and thsoe that can bust out deliver fire power. Our midfield also know how and when to get back help defend when needed.

How do we quash the threat from Brighton's strikers?
Well first they need to work out just where our attacks will come from. Will Bridge and Bruno push raid from the back. Will Lopez, Lua Lua or maybe Orlandi go wide or maybe Orlandi will come through the middle. Can they keep pace with CMS, can they snuff out Dobbie and if they do does that only give CMS more room.

Of course if they work out all of the above then they had better consider, Barnes, Buckly, Vicente, Dicker, Hammond just to name a few of our options.

Team sheets get posted just one hour before a match, Brighton can now choose from at least eighteen players and those players can offer many dfferent options as to what pattern we play.

I'd say that that is a headache for any opposing manager.


,

At that rate they needn't bother to get on the bus

Pte.

Yep that is exactly what we want them to think, they are beat even before they get here. This year we will see teams playing at home and setting their stool out for a draw when they play us.

When you have the time check out some of the other clubs squads and compare players. In my opinion three quarters of those clubs have squads nowhere near the quality of ours.
Some of the remainder have some quality but not in the depth we have. A small number will pose a threat, their squads contain some quality but player for player we still come out on top.

Last year. at the start of the season I thought Leicester would have a good year, I had them down for promotion, but they didn't deliver, they could be tricky this year. Blackpool look capable as do Blackburn but I think Blackpool might end up as Leicester did last year a lot of promise but at the end of the day not enough delivered.
Huddersfield were busy in the market but for me not enough strength.

This is our year, well on paper it is..

Lopez is bringing so much to our club, let's hope we see all his qualities on the pitch. I can see fighting for automatic rather than play-offs.

Cannot wait to play Sheffield Wednesday, UTA.

Our next four matches.

Home to Wednesday, away to Watford and away to Millwall and then home to Birmingham, I can honestly see 12 points.

Wednesday have conceded four goals on the road, zero wins, one loss and one draw.

Watford in the their two home games have only managed to score two goals and they have conceded one.

Millwall have also played two home games, they scored a total of three goals in those games but also let in three.

Birmingham have lost two road game and conceded five goals when doing so, they scored two.

These four teams should not have the fire power to beat us and their defenses don't appear to be good enough to keep us out.

12 points.
.

Although the tactical nuances are on a game to game basis. i Believe that on current evidence that teams will be forced to attack us more this season. Push up on our full backs and try to take the game to the final third. Basically keep our full backs defending and our forward players isolated. But our new found 'flexibility' (i.e last seasons missing 'plan b') will add some risk to this tactic, not to mention that sustaining this is not possible over the 90 minutes.
Last season teams just pushed up and pressed us in our own half to prevent our passing game, West Ham at home was a prime example. We have more quality and a far more flexible midfield this season. We appear to be able to defend and attack as a team. Everyone aware of thier responsibilities and the ability to cover if others (full backs especially) are caught out of position.
If teams are forced to come at us, i am confident we will have a very good season. If they choose to defend, we appear to have the skill and hopefully application to prosper. There is still a danger that we get 'bullied' out of games. Refreeing decisions will play their part...

Our average home crowd numbers are 16th best in all divisions in England, we just missed 15th spot.

VegasSeagull wrote:
Our next four matches.

Home to Wednesday, away to Watford and away to Millwall and then home to Birmingham, I can honestly see 12 points.

Wednesday have conceded four goals on the road, zero wins, one loss and one draw.

Watford in the their two home games have only managed to score two goals and they have conceded one.

Millwall have also played two home games, they scored a total of three goals in those games but also let in three.

Birmingham have lost two road game and conceded five goals when doing so, they scored two.

These four teams should not have the fire power to beat us and their defenses don't appear to be good enough to keep us out.

12 points.
.

If football was that easy to predict we wouldn't have fallen in love with beautiful game! There's bound to be a few surprises along the way.

VegasSeagull wrote:
Our next four matches.

Home to Wednesday, away to Watford and away to Millwall and then home to Birmingham, I can honestly see 12 points.

Wednesday have conceded four goals on the road, zero wins, one loss and one draw.

Watford in the their two home games have only managed to score two goals and they have conceded one.

Millwall have also played two home games, they scored a total of three goals in those games but also let in three.

Birmingham have lost two road game and conceded five goals when doing so, they scored two.

These four teams should not have the fire power to beat us and their defenses don't appear to be good enough to keep us out.

12 points.
.

If football was that easy to predict we wouldn't have fallen in love with beautiful game! There's bound to be a few surprises along the way.

Murrays Mint.

Surprises along the way, yes no doubt, but not with the upcoming next four matches.

The next four teams we will face did not, in my humble opinion, strengthen their starting eleven options to such a degree as we have. For that reason I don't see them instantly improving but I can see us doing so.

Gus likes his side to, 'own the ball,' if they don't have it they can't score. We have added yet more quality to the team and more fire power and we will own the ball even more than we have. I just don't see enough changes in the four teams to suggest that they can take control of the game and break us down. I guess a couple of points could be dropped with a 0-0 draw, (Millwall) but that would mean that our strike force was put to sleep and I just don't see that happening.

It's a funny old game.

VegasSeagull wrote:
Our average home crowd numbers are 16th best in all divisions in England, we just missed 15th spot.

And there are 20 teams in the Premiership - what a contrast from a little over a season ago! I'm getting giddy!!

VegasSeagull wrote:
Our next four matches.

Home to Wednesday, away to Watford and away to Millwall and then home to Birmingham, I can honestly see 12 points.

Wednesday have conceded four goals on the road, zero wins, one loss and one draw.

Watford in the their two home games have only managed to score two goals and they have conceded one.

Millwall have also played two home games, they scored a total of three goals in those games but also let in three.

Birmingham have lost two road game and conceded five goals when doing so, they scored two.

These four teams should not have the fire power to beat us and their defenses don't appear to be good enough to keep us out.

12 points.
.

i was also thinking along those lines for next four games vegasseagull. Ten points would be fine and dandy though. Feel also that the relegated teams this year have added pressure with managers that maybe dont have great backing from there fans. my prediction is we will be fighting it out with blackpool and forest for the automatic places at the end of the year. HOPEFULLY!

VegasSeagull wrote:
Our next four matches.

Home to Wednesday, away to Watford and away to Millwall and then home to Birmingham, I can honestly see 12 points.

Wednesday have conceded four goals on the road, zero wins, one loss and one draw.

Watford in the their two home games have only managed to score two goals and they have conceded one.

Millwall have also played two home games, they scored a total of three goals in those games but also let in three.

Birmingham have lost two road game and conceded five goals when doing so, they scored two.

These four teams should not have the fire power to beat us and their defenses don't appear to be good enough to keep us out.

12 points.
.

i was also thinking along those lines for next four games vegasseagull. Ten points would be fine and dandy though. Feel also that the relegated teams this year have added pressure with managers that maybe dont have great backing from there fans. my prediction is we will be fighting it out with blackpool and forest for the automatic places at the end of the year. HOPEFULLY!

Seagulls Over Surrey.

The difference is night and day, who would have thought it. It just goes to show what a debt the fans owe to Dick Knight and Tony Bloom, Brighton could have so easily folded but they were dedicated enough to keeps us afloat and eventualy bring us to our world beating stadium.

In my head promotion is a done deal but that's just the way I am. When we make it to the top flight we will be mixing it with clubs that can, and do, spend the sums of money it took to build our new home on just two or three players.
Brighton will sign it's first ten million pound player.
I will be able to sit in my home in Vegas and see our team live on my tv, that's all crazy if you look back just two or three years.

30 years old - Must have had a long hilly paper route as a kid??

Shippers4

Translate mate.

Hovite wrote:
There you go Alfie T; The Argus must have read your request for news on the new lads and their views on team mates and personal ambitions etc...;o)

Yes Alfie,perhaps a career change is on the cards for you? On the main topic, 30 years old,Lopez must have had a very heavy paper round!!

VegasSeagull wrote:
Shippers4

Translate mate.

He looks old for a 30yr old, I think he looks near 40!

Dear Old Vegas, take a deep breath, scroll back to the top of the page and take a look at the mug shot. That is not the face of a 29 year old just hitting 30... he gives the impression he has been through the mill a few times... According to she who rules (but admittedly knows nothing - look at me!) he saw 40 some time ago... But as far as I am concerned he can rely on a zimmer frame as long as he does the bizz...

I would, however, love to be a fly on the wall when players are negotiating their possible future at the Amex. Who said what to convince all the Spanish guys, CMS and Wayne Bridge that the future is Bright, the future is Brighton. OK, I know - but I don't need convincing and would believe anything... what story did these guys get... It's good here isn't it!!!

I guess I can see what you mean but if I compare his looks to my lad, well they are about the same age and he does look a tad older I suppose.
To me Mexicans always look older than they are, I think the amount of exposure to the sun does it.

I recall Nobby Styles looking older than he was, loss of teeth and hair, and the the Charlton brothers, both of them looked like pensioners by they time they retired.

Once Lopez gets a few pints of Harveys down his neck he will look better, or maybe when we have, he will look different to us, just like so many women have in our pasts. ,

Probably thinking that he might have to pay towards Spain's national debt if he earns enough

VegasSeagull wrote:
I guess I can see what you mean but if I compare his looks to my lad, well they are about the same age and he does look a tad older I suppose.
To me Mexicans always look older than they are, I think the amount of exposure to the sun does it.

I recall Nobby Styles looking older than he was, loss of teeth and hair, and the the Charlton brothers, both of them looked like pensioners by they time they retired.

Once Lopez gets a few pints of Harveys down his neck he will look better, or maybe when we have, he will look different to us, just like so many women have in our pasts. ,

At least he doesn't look like Wayne Rooney

Guys, lots of people are worried that bigger clubs may tempt our best players, thing is,every week, the list of bigger clubs grows shorter!!!! Food for thought.

Murray's Mint wrote:

VegasSeagull wrote:
Our next four matches.

Home to Wednesday, away to Watford and away to Millwall and then home to Birmingham, I can honestly see 12 points.

Wednesday have conceded four goals on the road, zero wins, one loss and one draw.

Watford in the their two home games have only managed to score two goals and they have conceded one.

Millwall have also played two home games, they scored a total of three goals in those games but also let in three.

Birmingham have lost two road game and conceded five goals when doing so, they scored two.

These four teams should not have the fire power to beat us and their defenses don't appear to be good enough to keep us out.

12 points.
.

If football was that easy to predict we wouldn't have fallen in love with beautiful game! There's bound to be a few surprises along the way.

Ok we`ll get 13 points!

VegasSeagull wrote:
Too many Harveys. These are very exciting times for the fans of Brighton and I think they are also somewhat concerning times for our opponents. When opposing managers sit in their offices working on their team sheet for the upcoming match against us just look at what they need to work out. Where is the weakness in Brighton's back four? Bridge, Bruno, Greer and El Abd all read the game well, all know how to defend corners/set peices and all are strong and very comfortable when playing the ball out of defense. How do we take command of the midfield? We have so many quality options in midfield, players with different skill sets and all experienced enough to be able to switch the pattern of play when called upon to do so. We have speed in midfield, controlled play makers and thsoe that can bust out deliver fire power. Our midfield also know how and when to get back help defend when needed. How do we quash the threat from Brighton's strikers? Well first they need to work out just where our attacks will come from. Will Bridge and Bruno push raid from the back. Will Lopez, Lua Lua or maybe Orlandi go wide or maybe Orlandi will come through the middle. Can they keep pace with CMS, can they snuff out Dobbie and if they do does that only give CMS more room. Of course if they work out all of the above then they had better consider, Barnes, Buckly, Vicente, Dicker, Hammond just to name a few of our options. Team sheets get posted just one hour before a match, Brighton can now choose from at least eighteen players and those players can offer many dfferent options as to what pattern we play. I'd say that that is a headache for any opposing manager. ,

Well when you put it like that!

;0)

danb666 wrote:
Guys, lots of people are worried that bigger clubs may tempt our best players, thing is,every week, the list of bigger clubs grows shorter!!!! Food for thought.

I like the way you think!

Why do players of the quality and experience come to Brighton, what is it that makes them want to pull on the stripes? Before offering my humble opinion as to why they do, I would suggest the one thing it is not, money. Brighton have made it very clear that we do not have deep pockets.

If you look at who has signed just about all of them have premeirship level histories and some international honors too.
The other thing that they have in common is that to a man they have all been told, in one way or another, that their careers at the top are over.

These players are winners, or at least they were. The winning I am talking about is in the form of being at the top and not silver ware, but for some that's there too.

They all know how it feels to have a full stadium call their name, they all know of the adoration in which they have been held. When their clubs let it be known that they had no future all that adoration felt each week came to an end.

By joining Brighton they were all given the chance to be winners again and they knew that when the approach was made. It is not hard to see the abitions of our club, any seasoned pro would recognize it in a heart beat. It was also easy for any of them to know that with us they would once again become important, important to us the fans, the adoration returns and once again their names will roared out by 25, 000 loving fans. They become winners again.

When they pull on the stripes each week the take the field knowing that the team is capable of winning every week, we fear no other. Winners like to win. As we proceed through the season and if all goes to plan we will challenge for the top, winners live for a challenge. If as we so hope we get promoted they will know that they played a vital role in that success, again they become winners. It might be that a few of them will get a chance to play at the top level once again, the ultimate prize for a winner.
Owen made it clear that he would not drop down to our level, I guess he felt that he was too good to lower his standards, well I wish him good luck but he will never be a winner there.

None of our signings came to us for money and if any of those that we tried to get but said no because of money, well we are better off without them because they are not the kind of winners we want.

VegasSeagull wrote:
Pte. Yep that is exactly what we want them to think, they are beat even before they get here. This year we will see teams playing at home and setting their stool out for a draw when they play us. When you have the time check out some of the other clubs squads and compare players. In my opinion three quarters of those clubs have squads nowhere near the quality of ours. Some of the remainder have some quality but not in the depth we have. A small number will pose a threat, their squads contain some quality but player for player we still come out on top. Last year. at the start of the season I thought Leicester would have a good year, I had them down for promotion, but they didn't deliver, they could be tricky this year. Blackpool look capable as do Blackburn but I think Blackpool might end up as Leicester did last year a lot of promise but at the end of the day not enough delivered. Huddersfield were busy in the market but for me not enough strength. This is our year, well on paper it is..

"Setting their stool out"?!! Blimey that's disgusting! ;0)

That aside you may be bang on the money, Vegas, and I hope you are.

What I'm really liking is the way we are still going completely under the media radar. Suits us fine .... Except re: lack of tv income.

VegasSeagull wrote:
I guess I can see what you mean but if I compare his looks to my lad, well they are about the same age and he does look a tad older I suppose. To me Mexicans always look older than they are, I think the amount of exposure to the sun does it. I recall Nobby Styles looking older than he was, loss of teeth and hair, and the the Charlton brothers, both of them looked like pensioners by they time they retired. Once Lopez gets a few pints of Harveys down his neck he will look better, or maybe when we have, he will look different to us, just like so many women have in our pasts. ,

Mr Vegas,

Through other peoples recommendations, I watched my first MLS game on ESPN last night between Portland and Colorado and the standard of football was pretty poor. I would say Average League 1 maybe even League 2 standard. Would this game of been a fair reflection of MLS in general or was I watching two very average teams?

Neither team attempted to keep the ball and some of the passing was really bad.

MarkyMark.

If you were to take the best teams in the MLS and play them against a middle of the table Championship club they would probably hold their own.
If you were to take the best players in the MLS and formed a team, then they would certainly hold their own in our devision.

Consider the national team, yes some of the starting line up do play in europe but many are in the MLS. The national team is not at all shabby, think back to the world cup.

I would suggest that you continue to watch MLS, some of the passing will make you cringe, but you will see some very good build up play also. Some of the defending will not pass muster but some of the goals will be pure football.

All of the americans playing in europe came from the MLS, it is producing players and is getting better each year but sadly, european money lures away the best and so reduces the quality. The flip side of that is that european players are coming here and improving the skills of those they play with. Both Kean and Beckham work with the Galaxy younger players to improve their game.

Teams to watch. Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Seattle, Utah and some others.

One thing you have to understand before passing judgement on MLS football by just watching one game at this moment in time.
Right now the teams are playing in the Concacaf competition and whilst these matches are played their regular season games are not called off. Galaxy had to field ten development squad players and just one regualr last in last week's Concacaf match, Beckham was on the bench. Two days later Galaxy had a league match. When international matches are played the season is not suspended, they have to field second eleven players.

It might be worth checking out to see if either of the teams you watched had cup matches in the same week or had any african players tied up in international matches.

Bish May Turn wrote:

Hovite wrote:
There you go Alfie T; The Argus must have read your request for news on the new lads and their views on team mates and personal ambitions etc...;o)

Yes Alfie,perhaps a career change is on the cards for you? On the main topic, 30 years old,Lopez must have had a very heavy paper round!!

What should I request next?

VegasSeagull wrote:
MarkyMark. If you were to take the best teams in the MLS and play them against a middle of the table Championship club they would probably hold their own. If you were to take the best players in the MLS and formed a team, then they would certainly hold their own in our devision. Consider the national team, yes some of the starting line up do play in europe but many are in the MLS. The national team is not at all shabby, think back to the world cup. I would suggest that you continue to watch MLS, some of the passing will make you cringe, but you will see some very good build up play also. Some of the defending will not pass muster but some of the goals will be pure football. All of the americans playing in europe came from the MLS, it is producing players and is getting better each year but sadly, european money lures away the best and so reduces the quality. The flip side of that is that european players are coming here and improving the skills of those they play with. Both Kean and Beckham work with the Galaxy younger players to improve their game. Teams to watch. Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Seattle, Utah and some others. One thing you have to understand before passing judgement on MLS football by just watching one game at this moment in time. Right now the teams are playing in the Concacaf competition and whilst these matches are played their regular season games are not called off. Galaxy had to field ten development squad players and just one regualr last in last week's Concacaf match, Beckham was on the bench. Two days later Galaxy had a league match. When international matches are played the season is not suspended, they have to field second eleven players. It might be worth checking out to see if either of the teams you watched had cup matches in the same week or had any african players tied up in international matches.

Thanks Vegas, I will continue to watch and hope for better things!

saraman wrote:
Next Friday feels like light years away. What a boring weekend this will be.

I totally agree, we were on a roll as well. Brighton Bill Yorkshire Seagull.

VegasSeagull wrote:
Why do players of the quality and experience come to Brighton, what is it that makes them want to pull on the stripes? Before offering my humble opinion as to why they do, I would suggest the one thing it is not, money. Brighton have made it very clear that we do not have deep pockets. If you look at who has signed just about all of them have premeirship level histories and some international honors too. The other thing that they have in common is that to a man they have all been told, in one way or another, that their careers at the top are over. These players are winners, or at least they were. The winning I am talking about is in the form of being at the top and not silver ware, but for some that's there too. They all know how it feels to have a full stadium call their name, they all know of the adoration in which they have been held. When their clubs let it be known that they had no future all that adoration felt each week came to an end. By joining Brighton they were all given the chance to be winners again and they knew that when the approach was made. It is not hard to see the abitions of our club, any seasoned pro would recognize it in a heart beat. It was also easy for any of them to know that with us they would once again become important, important to us the fans, the adoration returns and once again their names will roared out by 25, 000 loving fans. They become winners again. When they pull on the stripes each week the take the field knowing that the team is capable of winning every week, we fear no other. Winners like to win. As we proceed through the season and if all goes to plan we will challenge for the top, winners live for a challenge. If as we so hope we get promoted they will know that they played a vital role in that success, again they become winners. It might be that a few of them will get a chance to play at the top level once again, the ultimate prize for a winner. Owen made it clear that he would not drop down to our level, I guess he felt that he was too good to lower his standards, well I wish him good luck but he will never be a winner there. None of our signings came to us for money and if any of those that we tried to get but said no because of money, well we are better off without them because they are not the kind of winners we want.

Vegas Seagull, I think you make an excellent point. It may also explain why players like Emile Heskey are still without a club. They have an over-inflated opinion of their worth. Lets face it even the salaries payed at the Albion are significantly more than the average fans salary. And please don't come up with the 'it's only a short career'. When they finish in the game they could still work if they needed to.

Keswick I wouldn't dream of saying "it's only a short career.'

I would like to see retired players enter into refereeing, they know the game and they know the tricks. We constantly hear players complaining about referees so why don't they train and become refs and bring their experience as players into play.

Players such as Beckham, Rooney, Gerrard and dare I say, Bridge, have or will all make enough money in their, "short career," to never worry about making a buck ever again. I would really love to see them give something back to the game, maybe through local community organizations servng the youth.

Those players that never made it to the top but had enough to bank a few bucks could work for the likes of Beckham, Rooney, Gerrard and Bridge, maybe as coaches.

Yes its going to be a boring weekend because of the crappy international matches,how many players from the Championship are actually involved.It should be a minimum of two players in any team to cancel a game.Get a grip FA,or should it be F.U.

VegasSeagull wrote:
Too many Harveys.

These are very exciting times for the fans of Brighton and I think they are also somewhat concerning times for our opponents.

When opposing managers sit in their offices working on their team sheet for the upcoming match against us just look at what they need to work out.

Where is the weakness in Brighton's back four?
Bridge, Bruno, Greer and El Abd all read the game well, all know how to defend corners/set peices and all are strong and very comfortable when playing the ball out of defense.

How do we take command of the midfield?
We have so many quality options in midfield, players with different skill sets and all experienced enough to be able to switch the pattern of play when called upon to do so.
We have speed in midfield, controlled play makers and thsoe that can bust out deliver fire power. Our midfield also know how and when to get back help defend when needed.

How do we quash the threat from Brighton's strikers?
Well first they need to work out just where our attacks will come from. Will Bridge and Bruno push raid from the back. Will Lopez, Lua Lua or maybe Orlandi go wide or maybe Orlandi will come through the middle. Can they keep pace with CMS, can they snuff out Dobbie and if they do does that only give CMS more room.

Of course if they work out all of the above then they had better consider, Barnes, Buckly, Vicente, Dicker, Hammond just to name a few of our options.

Team sheets get posted just one hour before a match, Brighton can now choose from at least eighteen players and those players can offer many dfferent options as to what pattern we play.

I'd say that that is a headache for any opposing manager.


,

And quite a headache for Poyet too.

Billyboyarnold wrote:

saraman wrote:
Next Friday feels like light years away. What a boring weekend this will be.

I totally agree, we were on a roll as well. Brighton Bill Yorkshire Seagull.

Are you down for the game Billy?

It is frustrating having to wait for Brighton's next winning performance but it does mean that Crofts is two weeks closer to recovery, it also gives Vicente another couple of weeks to recover.

Two weeks for the new players to fit in, two weeks to plan new attacking patterns.

Two weeks for Gus to get loan deals put together, be they in or out.

Two weeks for the few in the team that don't speak spanish to get some lessons. :-))

Two weeks for those of us on here to try and come up with something new to talk about, well ok, one week down one to go.
.

oh where is my one and only resident when there is so much positivity about the albion

HOVEPARKPRESIDENT. wrote:
oh where is my one and only resident when there is so much positivity about the albion

welcome back hove park bench. Must have got bored with the charlton sites. But good luck to you south london boys with your relegation battle.

HOVEPARKPRESIDENT. wrote:
oh where is my one and only resident when there is so much positivity about the albion

Perhaps he knows when he's beaten, however a pointless,riposte could be on its way.

IRISHGULL wrote:

HOVEPARKPRESIDENT. wrote:
oh where is my one and only resident when there is so much positivity about the albion

welcome back hove park bench. Must have got bored with the charlton sites. But good luck to you south london boys with your relegation battle.

This is Hove Park Pres,not Res, similar but very different.

Stoke are making 5 players available for loan,any of them good for us?.

I would like those who compile and contribute to this site to interview Gus regarding any forth coming departures from Brighton.
Would you ask about Sparrow and Vincelot and also ask if Bergkamps leaving on a loan deal signals the end of his association with Brighton.
Does Gus have any plans for other players to go out on loan.

Could you perhaps get Gus to shed some light as to what, if any, negotiations transpired whilst the transfer window was open. We have been told how close we came to losing CMS, were we also that close to signing someone else but didn't.

Further questions I would like to ask Gus.

If we deliver a solid performance against Wednesday, a performance that brings about an emphatic win, 2-0 or 3-0 would he still feel the need for a target man up front.

The quality in depth that the squad now has might suggest a good run in the F.A. Cup, is that one of his goals for this year.

On a more personal note, what are his (Gus) thoughts about his time with Brighton.

How does Gus see the set up at Brighton when it is compared to premiership clubs. By set up I don't mean the players but everything else from the medical facilities and staff to the grounds keeping crew right through to commercial side of the club. Is Brighton as a club ready for promotion.

Ok Andy, time for you to get to work and set up the interview.

pjwilk wrote:
Stoke are making 5 players available for loan,any of them good for us?.

Kenwynne Jones would certainly fit the bill but apparently Wolves are likely to secure him on loan.

Our new signing Lopez looks like a smoker (thus the 'looks older than he is' image). Be interesting to find out if it's true.

(The aforementioned Rooney smokes apparently.)

Alfie T wrote:

Bish May Turn wrote:

Hovite wrote:
There you go Alfie T; The Argus must have read your request for news on the new lads and their views on team mates and personal ambitions etc...;o)

Yes Alfie,perhaps a career change is on the cards for you? On the main topic, 30 years old,Lopez must have had a very heavy paper round!!

What should I request next?

An interview with Orlandi tomorrow?

Its looking good for us to secure a high position in the Championship but lets keep our feet on the ground,should we gain promotion unless we can find millions of £`s we would be fighting relegation from the Premiership and would find ourselves in the same position as when we broke into the old Division 1,match after match we played with our backs against the wall, little to enjoy and of course attendances declined.
Lets be satisfied with our success and ensure that what has been achieved can be maintained.

SicklySeagull.

When, not if, we get promoted we will get a nice chunk of money from the FA, television rights alone comes to millions.

I would guess that we would have maybe twelve from our existing squad that could be part of our premier squad, so we would be looking for maybe tweleve more.

Of the existing twelve I would guess maybe eight could hold their own at the higher level, at least for one season, and the other four would be back up.

Tweleve new players of whom at least eight would have to be good enough to go straight into the starting line up.

At an average price of say six million each that's seventy two million, we wouldn't have that money.
We would have to enter into some season long loan deals.

More revenue would come from enhanced sponsorship and of course the price of a season ticket would climb.

The club would obviously sell several of our existing squad so some money would come in from that source.

Gus has always bought wisely, he and the board know how to stretch the resources, I would expect them to continue in that manor.
It might be that should promotion be gained we might have to sell one of our most valuable assest, CMS. If that were to happen the price tag by then would be pretty steep.


I could be very wrong but something in the back of my head tells me that get promoted in first place and th epay off from the F.A. ia bout 50 million, I could be wrong and probably am
.

Do you remember a couple of years ago, Gus said something like, players should have confidence in themselves. Some of them, I'm guessing Murray here, want long term security. He always said, have confidence in yourself, do you want a League ! contract or a Championship one. I thought it was a great attitude and am guessing he has said much the same to the players we have signed recently. Come here for a year, next summer we will talk. We will offer you the best deal we can depending on what league we are in. If someone else offers you better terms then it's up to you what offer you take. He appears to be very much a players man, which will generate huge loyalty.

He also seems to have a great relationship with Tony Bloom, which is essential. Probably the most important thing to take Brighton forward. They both have the dream!

Tony Bloom has made an enormous commitment to Brighton and Hove Albion and seems, to me, to be a shrewd operator. I am just so glad he was prepared to make that commitment.

Some may wonder why I am still awake at this time of night. It's the Port Fiesta and nobody sleeps, including me. Times like this I am glad of t'internet. and can talk rubbish to the world.

Alfie T wrote:

IRISHGULL wrote:

HOVEPARKPRESIDENT. wrote:
oh where is my one and only resident when there is so much positivity about the albion

welcome back hove park bench. Must have got bored with the charlton sites. But good luck to you south london boys with your relegation battle.

This is Hove Park Pres,not Res, similar but very different.

I disagree. Dr Jekyll to Mr Hyde.

Interesting interview and insight with Dobbie on the Football League podcast about how his transfer to the Albion happened at the 11th Hour; including airplane dash from Wales, family considerations and the fact that Gus stayed behind to tie up the deal, rather than traveling up to Burnley with the squad on the Friday.

dave from bexill wrote:
Interesting interview and insight with Dobbie on the Football League podcast about how his transfer to the Albion happened at the 11th Hour; including airplane dash from Wales, family considerations and the fact that Gus stayed behind to tie up the deal, rather than traveling up to Burnley with the squad on the Friday.

Ooo, look forward to hearing that. Am a big fan of that podcast (along with The Albion Roar, The Football Ramble, 5 Live's World Football Podcast and Sky's The Footballer's Football Show).

Crikey Capt, I've never heard of a couple of those, thanks a lot. Must admit I do like Sky's The Sunday Supplement with some good journo's including Henry Winter, Martin Samuel and Matt Dickinson.

Too many Harveys wrote:

Alfie T wrote:

IRISHGULL wrote:

HOVEPARKPRESIDENT. wrote:
oh where is my one and only resident when there is so much positivity about the albion

welcome back hove park bench. Must have got bored with the charlton sites. But good luck to you south london boys with your relegation battle.

This is Hove Park Pres,not Res, similar but very different.

I disagree. Dr Jekyll to Mr Hyde.

Too many Harveys...
Although nobody can be certain of who is who on the internet, I am certain in my mind that HPP and HPR are different people.

HPP appeared sometime after HPR and subtly took the p*** out of the original p*** taker.

Also their writing styles are different - study the difference when HPR is pretending to be sensible.

Result we got another ..elderly latino