Poyet urges fans to make it a special night (From The Argus)

Poyet urges fans to make it a special night

3:30pm Tuesday 16th March 2010 in Albion By Andy Naylor

Gus Poyet wants supporters to get behind Albion tonight

Albion boss Gus Poyet has called on fans to rally behind the team tonight in the quest for a new-high to be reached against Brentford at Withdean.

Victory will leapfrog the Seagulls over Brentford into 14th, their best position all season.

It will also chalk off a quarter of the dozen points Poyet believes Albion still need from their remaining 11 games to be certain of survival.

They are five points and three places clear of the relegation spots following Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by Swindon.

That is still far too close for comfort as far as Poyet is concerned and he wants supporters to help the side put daylight between themselves and the drop zone.

Poyet said: “It’s important and that is why we really need everyone there. We need the supporters and we need to make this game special, because it is very special for us.

“People look at the table and see the five-point difference and think we are okay. We are not clear until we get to 50 or 51 points. As soon as we get to that quantity then yes, I am going to be okay.

“That means we need the three points, so I am really calling for the fans to turn up and help the team, because I know how much they can. When there is a run from LuaLua and it gets everyone excited, the players feel that, so let’s try to make it a special night.”

Adam Virgo is added to the squad after suspension but Diego Arismendi’s debut on loan from Stoke remains on hold.

Poyet played down ice-pack treatment on the defensive midfielder’s troublesome right thigh following training yesterday. He expects his fellow Uruguayan to be available for Saturday’s trip to Oldham.

Brentford have drafted centre half Alan Bennett back from his loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers to cover for the early recall by Ipswich of on-loan New Zealand World Cup hopeful Tommy Smith.