Crofts back in contention for Albion (From The Argus)

The competition for places is really hotting up now.

wiseman of hove wrote:
The competition for places is really hotting up now.

You are not kidding. Crofty gets fit and looks to get his place back but Hammond is playing well and Lopez must be itching to play. Barnes, Kazenga and Orlandi another trio to manage.

The first six names to go on the team sheet are easy, the next five, a tad more difficult.

I'd like to see us try and play Hammond and Crofts together. They are both quite similar players but for a team that was lacking some grint in the middle, we also now have the option of mixing it up a bit in midfield particularly with our great creative options.

Team sheet could be interesting for Millwall match. The game against Watford was hard fought and whilst no injuries have been announced I am sure tiredness took it's toll.
Maybe Orlandi goes to the bench.

VegasSeagull wrote:

wiseman of hove wrote:
The competition for places is really hotting up now.

You are not kidding. Crofty gets fit and looks to get his place back but Hammond is playing well and Lopez must be itching to play. Barnes, Kazenga and Orlandi another trio to manage.

The first six names to go on the team sheet are easy, the next five, a tad more difficult.

sure you don't mean the first 7/8 names Vegas?

Hammond and Crofty together ... another Gerrard and Lampard ? Would they play in the centre ? Another decision for Gus but what a lovely problem :) GG

GosportGull wrote:
Hammond and Crofty together ... another Gerrard and Lampard ? Would they play in the centre ? Another decision for Gus but what a lovely problem :) GG

Exactly GG, cannot play Hammond,Croft & Bridcutt together in the starting eleven.Crofty's return is good news though,brings even more competition to this fantastic squad. I know we all play manager on here, keeping them all happy is not going to be easy, lots of squad rotation?

dave from bexill wrote:

VegasSeagull wrote:

wiseman of hove wrote: The competition for places is really hotting up now.

You are not kidding. Crofty gets fit and looks to get his place back but Hammond is playing well and Lopez must be itching to play. Barnes, Kazenga and Orlandi another trio to manage. The first six names to go on the team sheet are easy, the next five, a tad more difficult.

sure you don't mean the first 7/8 names Vegas?

Dave I do think that maybe 7 or 8 names could go on the list easily but choosing our midfield is not easy anymore, thank God.

Back four and keeper and CMS up front all shoeins, that's my six.

Crofts/Hammond?
Barnes/Kazenga/Orlan
di?
Lopez/Dicker/Bridcut
t?

Dobbie?

I guess Bridcutt should join the shoeins.

Who have I forgot?, .

I just read Poyet's pre match comments on the club website, I get the impression that he sees three points up for grabs.

If he was looking for redemption at Watford due to a poor perfomance last year, then on saturday I think he sees this match as unfinished business.

Last year we didn't play well at Watford but against Millwall we did, it was ours for the taking and we didn't take.

The latest on Vicente is that he is still training alone along with the medical team.

Gus is hoping to intensify his training soon and we might see him back with the full squad after the Birmingham match.

Once fit let's hope he can stay that way for the rest of the season and contribute to our promotion drive.

VegasSeagull wrote:

dave from bexill wrote:

VegasSeagull wrote:

wiseman of hove wrote: The competition for places is really hotting up now.

You are not kidding. Crofty gets fit and looks to get his place back but Hammond is playing well and Lopez must be itching to play. Barnes, Kazenga and Orlandi another trio to manage. The first six names to go on the team sheet are easy, the next five, a tad more difficult.

sure you don't mean the first 7/8 names Vegas?

Dave I do think that maybe 7 or 8 names could go on the list easily but choosing our midfield is not easy anymore, thank God. Back four and keeper and CMS up front all shoeins, that's my six. Crofts/Hammond? Barnes/Kazenga/Orlan di? Lopez/Dicker/Bridcut t? Dobbie? I guess Bridcutt should join the shoeins. Who have I forgot?, .

Very difficult to pick the midfield I agree. I would have thought bridcutt would be a definite though. Also, Buckley would be definite starter for me, but he does seem to struggle with injury, so perhaps he might be someone who gets rested regularly maybe.

As previous posters have said, what excellent dilemmas to have.

There is an article on the Millwall club website which is asking home fans to bring food to the ground on saturday to help stock the Pecham Food Bank, which helps feed the poor and hungry.

There will be around 3,000 Brighton fans attending that match, could we help fill that food bank?

There is not a lot of time but surely with the help of the club and this newspaper, something could be put together.

Bish May Turn

I know we all play manager on here, keeping them all happy is not going to be easy, lots of squad rotation?

This is going to be a major problem for Gus this season, although as any manager will tell you, it's a nice problem to have.

I'm sure Barnes wasn't too happy being left out at Watford. Now Hammond could find himself in the same boat at Millwall if Gus decides to bring Crofty straight back rather than put him on the bench.

Bridcutt and Buckley are automatic choices in my book, along with the back five and McSmudge. That leaves only three spots up for grabs when everyone is fit. I'm hoping Crofty will become a "must pick" too.

It's up to the other guys to take their chance when it comes along. Doesn't sound as though Orlandi did that on Tuesday.

Seagull83 wrote:
I'd like to see us try and play Hammond and Crofts together. They are both quite similar players but for a team that was lacking some grint in the middle, we also now have the option of mixing it up a bit in midfield particularly with our great creative options.

I too would like to see Crofts and Hammond together. Bridcutt and Buckley are automatic choices. Orlandi will not disappoint when he settles in. and I'm sure that Dobbie will show in due course. Lopez is unknown to me. For me, as things stand, both Barnes and Lua Lua are on the fringe.

GosportGull wrote:
Hammond and Crofty together ... another Gerrard and Lampard ? Would they play in the centre ? Another decision for Gus but what a lovely problem :) GG

have to agree with you gosportgull dont think crofty , hammond and bridcutt can be on the same sheet. But hey what choices gus has now!

VegasSeagull wrote:

dave from bexill wrote:

VegasSeagull wrote:

wiseman of hove wrote: The competition for places is really hotting up now.

You are not kidding. Crofty gets fit and looks to get his place back but Hammond is playing well and Lopez must be itching to play. Barnes, Kazenga and Orlandi another trio to manage. The first six names to go on the team sheet are easy, the next five, a tad more difficult.

sure you don't mean the first 7/8 names Vegas?

Dave I do think that maybe 7 or 8 names could go on the list easily but choosing our midfield is not easy anymore, thank God.

Back four and keeper and CMS up front all shoeins, that's my six.

Crofts/Hammond?
Barnes/Kazenga/Orlan

di?
Lopez/Dicker/Bridcut

t?

Dobbie?

I guess Bridcutt should join the shoeins.

Who have I forgot?, .

Yep, agree with your six and Bridcutt Vegas, but Buckley would more or less be a cert for me. Bit early yet to judge the newer boys, although Crofts or Hammond are great returns to the club (not discounting how some remain unhappy with Hammond)

Have to think that Dobbie was bought as a possible replacement for CMS, now don't beat me up, the thinking is simple, just as I am.

CMS is on fire and I don't see any reason why he should not remain so, good service has been resumed

If he continues the way he is now it is a certainty that big bids will come in for him early next year. If the bid and the club making the bid is big enough Gus and the board would have to say yes. Dobbie was signed on a three year contract, he is clearly a major part of future plans.

I would be surprised if Hammond does not join us once his loan period is over as Bridcutt could also be the target of a decent offer.

Our place in the table come Christmas might influence how any of our stars might jump if deals are offered. If we look good for promotion it might be that they say no thanks but it would be hard for them to turn down a big named club, and Gus wouldn't stop them from progressing.

The tough decisions that Gus if facing now with regards to team selection could actually help him if one or two players leave.
..

Bish May Turn wrote:

GosportGull wrote:
Hammond and Crofty together ... another Gerrard and Lampard ? Would they play in the centre ? Another decision for Gus but what a lovely problem :) GG

Exactly GG, cannot play Hammond,Croft & Bridcutt together in the starting eleven.Crofty's return is good news though,brings even more competition to this fantastic squad. I know we all play manager on here, keeping them all happy is not going to be easy, lots of squad rotation?

Actually BTM I would be quite interested in seeing a midfield of Bridcutt (holding) and both Hammond and Crofts ie no Dicker with Buckley playing wide.
Both Hammond and Crofts like to get forward whereas Dicker rarely makes forward runs into the box. With the option of either Hammond or Crofts getting forward when we attack there would be more consistent support for CMS up front. Depending on which of the two makes a forward move the other can always hold back so we don't become vulnerable to a counter attack.
On Saturday I suspect Poyet will play safe and not risk Crofts starting but include him on the bench.
Regarding the other selections either Dobbie or Barnes could play the supporting striker role behind CMS. As others have said the back 5 currently select themselves.
Another close encounter away from home looks likely.

Gus has always picked Dicker and he presumably does so for a reason. To my mind we would be better fielding Crofts, Bridcutt, Hammond, Orlandi as our starting midfield. The rest of the team picks itself.

Howie2 wrote:
Gus has always picked Dicker and he presumably does so for a reason. To my mind we would be better fielding Crofts, Bridcutt, Hammond, Orlandi as our starting midfield. The rest of the team picks itself.

All credit to Dicker this season - back from a long injury and he has performed creditably but I agree with your starting midfield.

Well who knows how the midfield conundrum will unfold, one thing is for sure, all of the players we have debated today would walk into most if not all Championship sides and a few Prem sides as well. Good comments on this thread,nice to see genuine fans on here, wait for it....

Don't rock the boat Gus. Consider Crofts for our next home game or on the bench for Millwall. Barnes to start for me and Orlandi on the bench.

Orlandi to be rested saturday, he had a tough match against Watford.

I would not be surprised to see Dicker rested too.

Watford found a way of disrupting our normal game, Gus might want to change things up a little.

Not so sure Barnes will start either.

Whilst I am not surprised that Gus has yet to sign his two desired players, I am somewhat surprised that Sparrow and Vincelot have not found a new home on loan.

Both are decent players and maybe Vincelot the better of the two. I would have thought that a div one team would have come for Sparrow and that Vincelot might even have found a championship team.

In the situation that both players find themselves in I can't think that neither of the players wants to play somewhere. I would not have thought that wages would be an issue as I doubt either of them is on big money.

VegasSeagull wrote:
There is an article on the Millwall club website which is asking home fans to bring food to the ground on saturday to help stock the Pecham Food Bank, which helps feed the poor and hungry.

There will be around 3,000 Brighton fans attending that match, could we help fill that food bank?

There is not a lot of time but surely with the help of the club and this newspaper, something could be put together.

What a superb idea! Anybody listening out there?

Whilst I am not surprised that Gus has yet to sign his two desired players, I am somewhat surprised that Sparrow and Vincelot have not found a new home on loan.

So am I. They'll need half a dozen injuries to get back into first team contention so it looks like being a wasted season for them. Maybe they are content just drawing their wages, but I sure hope they don't rock the boat. Both Sparrow and Vincelot have always given 100% when called on - in Sparrow's case, sometimes to his own detriment - so I wish them well and hope they can find new clubs.

VegasSeagull wrote:
There is an article on the Millwall club website which is asking home fans to bring food to the ground on saturday to help stock the Pecham Food Bank, which helps feed the poor and hungry.

There will be around 3,000 Brighton fans attending that match, could we help fill that food bank?

There is not a lot of time but surely with the help of the club and this newspaper, something could be put together.

Vegas
Have you ever been to New Cross or
Peckham Rye on any match day let alone the Albion

I suggest you take your offerings to the Bushwackers pub I am sure you will get a great reception

UTA,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
,,,,,,,

VegasSeagull wrote:
There is an article on the Millwall club website which is asking home fans to bring food to the ground on saturday to help stock the Pecham Food Bank, which helps feed the poor and hungry.

There will be around 3,000 Brighton fans attending that match, could we help fill that food bank?

There is not a lot of time but surely with the help of the club and this newspaper, something could be put together.

Vegas
Have you ever been to New Cross or
Peckham Rye on any match day let alone the Albion

I suggest you take your offerings to the Bushwackers pub I am sure you will get a great reception

UTA,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
,,,,,,,

VegasSeagull wrote:
Orlandi to be rested saturday, he had a tough match against Watford.

I would not be surprised to see Dicker rested too.

Watford found a way of disrupting our normal game, Gus might want to change things up a little.

Not so sure Barnes will start either.

I am wondering how you in Vegas has generated his opinion on how tough a game Orlandi had, or what Watford did on Tuesday.
I don't mind a bloke having an opinion, but it would seem to be someone else's opinion regurgitated, if you are 6000 miles away, in Vegas.

You don't half pontificate about the team for someone who I would imagine sees 10 minutes of highlights at most.

Baldseagull.

When you commented on how good were the players that Gus signed you did so without seeing them play.
Your opinion was based on their past history, a history that you read about.

There are a miriad of resources to tell anyone, anyone that wants to look, how well or bad Brighton played on any given occasion.

If a person avails him or herself of all the information that is out there one can form a valid opinion. Jurys do this all over the world every day of the week.

Yes I am 6,000 miles away but that doesn't mean that I can't find out what happened during the match. Players, managers, tv reporters, print reporters, fans that were there from Brighton, opposition fans, and radio shows such as talk sport, they all give information. The day after a match there are loads of match statistics that also tell a tale.

I can listen to radio shows prior to the match and post match.

If people on here say that Lopez was a good singing before they see him play are they wrong, no because their opinion is based on what they have read about the player's career, they didn't have to go to Spain and watch him to have a valid opinion. I seem to recall that you were happy about our foreign inports, happy before you saw them play.,

VegasSeagull wrote:
Baldseagull.

When you commented on how good were the players that Gus signed you did so without seeing them play.
Your opinion was based on their past history, a history that you read about.

There are a miriad of resources to tell anyone, anyone that wants to look, how well or bad Brighton played on any given occasion.

If a person avails him or herself of all the information that is out there one can form a valid opinion. Jurys do this all over the world every day of the week.

Yes I am 6,000 miles away but that doesn't mean that I can't find out what happened during the match. Players, managers, tv reporters, print reporters, fans that were there from Brighton, opposition fans, and radio shows such as talk sport, they all give information. The day after a match there are loads of match statistics that also tell a tale.

I can listen to radio shows prior to the match and post match.

If people on here say that Lopez was a good singing before they see him play are they wrong, no because their opinion is based on what they have read about the player's career, they didn't have to go to Spain and watch him to have a valid opinion. I seem to recall that you were happy about our foreign inports, happy before you saw them play.,

Well you did say you liked cruel Vegas!!UTA

have to chuckle Tug and yep, I said it.

I wasn't going to bother answering his post, this from a guy that doesn't want Hammond to wear the shirt no matter how well he does for our promotion drive.

I failed to mention that after every game I do call four of my pals that attend every match, I get really good feed back from them.

Bring on the cruel. LMAO

Well said Vegas. It doesn't matter where you are in the world, there are ways & means of finding info on the Albion & you can build a pretty good picture. A very similar picture to one who attends every game I should imagine. I live in Sussex, attend approx 25% of home games, listen to every other match on bbc radio sussex, follow threads etc etc and am delighted at what is happening.

So a composite regurgitated opinion then Vegas.
Which is fair enough to have, but a bit weak to be espousing to and informing the rest of us with.

I had seen quite a bit of Dobbie and was pleased to have signed him, I have no opinion on Lopez other than he looks like Iggy Pop, nor an opinion on Orlandi who I had seen little of.
I have a strong opinion about Hammond both as a player and as a person, and to be fair my opinion on him as a person is unbalanced given that I have not actually met him, but when a bloke is frothing at the mouth and calling me a c**t, I tend to go off him.
I was happy with the pedigree of the players signed, but I am certain I would not have offered an opinion on how good they were.
Your recollection is flawed.

Baldseagull wrote:
So a composite regurgitated opinion then Vegas.
Which is fair enough to have, but a bit weak to be espousing to and informing the rest of us with.

I had seen quite a bit of Dobbie and was pleased to have signed him, I have no opinion on Lopez other than he looks like Iggy Pop, nor an opinion on Orlandi who I had seen little of.
I have a strong opinion about Hammond both as a player and as a person, and to be fair my opinion on him as a person is unbalanced given that I have not actually met him, but when a bloke is frothing at the mouth and calling me a c**t, I tend to go off him.
I was happy with the pedigree of the players signed, but I am certain I would not have offered an opinion on how good they were.
Your recollection is flawed.

Just stop reading his long rambling waffle. That's what I've done.

VegasSeagull wrote:
have to chuckle Tug and yep, I said it.

I wasn't going to bother answering his post, this from a guy that doesn't want Hammond to wear the shirt no matter how well he does for our promotion drive.

I failed to mention that after every game I do call four of my pals that attend every match, I get really good feed back from them.

Bring on the cruel. LMAO

I would not wan't John Terry or Joey Barton in the side either, though I am sure they would improve the strength of the team and aid promotion.