Plenty at stake for Albion players as Chelsea visit (From The Argus)

One of several players interesting Leeds? Hmm. I'm sure that Leandro Damiao is one of several players "interesting" Gus Poyet, but i'm not sure that alone is news worthy.

Wahay! Acknowledgement that CMS is being chased by Leeds. If we want to keep him, his old sparring partner Aaron McLean could be available at Hull - now there's a fantasy pairing with a striker proven at this level. When you play a slow measured build-up defences have time aplenty to get back and we invariably face a double line with everyone intent on denyng space. What we lack is someone who will create the gaps for CMS to exploit and someone who has done exactly that before has to be worth a look surely? May not have been on the radar initially but as options reduce he might well be worth a look now?

farside wrote:
Wahay! Acknowledgement that CMS is being chased by Leeds. If we want to keep him, his old sparring partner Aaron McLean could be available at Hull - now there's a fantasy pairing with a striker proven at this level. When you play a slow measured build-up defences have time aplenty to get back and we invariably face a double line with everyone intent on denyng space. What we lack is someone who will create the gaps for CMS to exploit and someone who has done exactly that before has to be worth a look surely? May not have been on the radar initially but as options reduce he might well be worth a look now?

I'm not sure options are reduced I think Gus knows exactly who he wants and is just waiting for things to fall in to place. If it is a swap deal+cash from Leeds then we might be waiting on that cash to get (insert rumoured striker)in from there parent club.

Did anyone attend the fans forum last night and if so were there any interesting insights? Any answers to the Q's that Ballanttrae posed the other day about subjects such as Balmy and Bergkkamp? Thanks

Interesting that the Leeds acknowledgement is a throw-away in the last sentence.
The fact the journalist has got quotes on Chelsea means he had the chance to ask Gus about the Sky Sports story. Gus could've killed it stone dead but he clearly hasn't which must mean there's some sort of fire in that there smoke.. My guess is the club has asked the Argus to leave it alone in terms of club comment because they're not in a position to deny it and don't want to admit publicly it might happen.
Standard and justifiable practice so we'll just have to wait….

I've just been looking at the Norwich Evening News. Norwich fans have only positive things to say about Crofts, and praise for his contribution to their club's success. A lot Brighton fans on this site have seemingly little positive to say about this player. We'll soon have a deserved reputation as total miserablists !

Dr Baldhead wrote:
Did anyone attend the fans forum last night and if so were there any interesting insights? Any answers to the Q's that Ballanttrae posed the other day about subjects such as Balmy and Bergkkamp? Thanks

Thanks Dr B for asking what I was going to.
There has been a lot of mixed views voiced regarding Crofts return.
I think one needs to remember that Crofts is a first rate player with many attributes that the team will benefit from - great energy, gets forward to score goals, leadership.
However I also have sympathy with those who felt 'underwelmed' by his arrival.
This feeling has arisen from the fact that Crofts is not really the type of 'powerhouse/enforcer
' midfielder that Poyet has consistently said he wanted.
As a replacement for Navarro Crofts is great but as an enforcer I have doubts.
I saw a 'rumour' about Bridcutt generating interest elsewhere yesterday and wonder if there is a scenario where Crofts might fit in together with a midfield enforcer. Because Poyet has said he wanted another midfielder I for one thought 'just one more' where he might have been talking (unlikely I know) of an additional player for the squad ie short on numbers. So if Bridcutt were to leave (hope not) we would need 2 midfielders ie Crofts plus AN Other who could be the enforcer envisaged. Pure speculation on my part but who knows.....
Still waiting on the striker and of course news about Hall, Bergkamp and Balmy.

ballantrrae wrote:

Dr Baldhead wrote:
Did anyone attend the fans forum last night and if so were there any interesting insights? Any answers to the Q's that Ballanttrae posed the other day about subjects such as Balmy and Bergkkamp? Thanks

Thanks Dr B for asking what I was going to.
There has been a lot of mixed views voiced regarding Crofts return.
I think one needs to remember that Crofts is a first rate player with many attributes that the team will benefit from - great energy, gets forward to score goals, leadership.
However I also have sympathy with those who felt 'underwelmed' by his arrival.
This feeling has arisen from the fact that Crofts is not really the type of 'powerhouse/enforcer

' midfielder that Poyet has consistently said he wanted.
As a replacement for Navarro Crofts is great but as an enforcer I have doubts.
I saw a 'rumour' about Bridcutt generating interest elsewhere yesterday and wonder if there is a scenario where Crofts might fit in together with a midfield enforcer. Because Poyet has said he wanted another midfielder I for one thought 'just one more' where he might have been talking (unlikely I know) of an additional player for the squad ie short on numbers. So if Bridcutt were to leave (hope not) we would need 2 midfielders ie Crofts plus AN Other who could be the enforcer envisaged. Pure speculation on my part but who knows.....
Still waiting on the striker and of course news about Hall, Bergkamp and Balmy.

I realise I left out something in my posting. When I said 'just one more' I intended posting 'just one more particular kind of midfielder' part of the phrase went 'missing' - apologies. My comment might make a little more sense now.

The game is being streamed live but you need to search for football streaming sites to find it.

I have a feeling that Gus is still looking for a tall, physical midfielder and frontman - i think getting Crofts was probably sheer, but excellent, opportunism. I can also only see CMS going to Leeds if McCormack comes to us + a cash adjustment. But even if this happens its a like-for-like replacement and we'll still be looking for a centre forward and midfield enforcer

fretlessbass wrote:
I've just been looking at the Norwich Evening News. Norwich fans have only positive things to say about Crofts, and praise for his contribution to their club's success. A lot Brighton fans on this site have seemingly little positive to say about this player. We'll soon have a deserved reputation as total miserablists !

Fortunately the positive comments shone through the negative ones in yesterday’s thread. Personally I think we should always welcome new players with open arms and without negative pre-judgment, especially when openly published for them to read.

farside, I think that because McLean is only 5ft 6in he would not be the target man we are looking for.

Maurice Edu rumours about.

Hovite wrote:

fretlessbass wrote:
I've just been looking at the Norwich Evening News. Norwich fans have only positive things to say about Crofts, and praise for his contribution to their club's success. A lot Brighton fans on this site have seemingly little positive to say about this player. We'll soon have a deserved reputation as total miserablists !

Fortunately the positive comments shone through the negative ones in yesterday’s thread. Personally I think we should always welcome new players with open arms and without negative pre-judgment, especially when openly published for them to read.

farside, I think that because McLean is only 5ft 6in he would not be the target man we are looking for.

Totally agree,if Crofts was a second rate player,but with the obvious love that he has indicated for our club,you would still have to admire his commitment.But he is an first rate midfielder who will give us his all,unless as you rightly say we dont appreciate him,in which case the poor bloke might wonder what he has done coming home!

Dr Baldhead wrote:
Did anyone attend the fans forum last night and if so were there any interesting insights? Any answers to the Q's that Ballanttrae posed the other day about subjects such as Balmy and Bergkkamp? Thanks

It's supposed to be on the official site recorded but when I click the radio nothing happens

Rhodes Seagull wrote:
The game is being streamed live but you need to search for football streaming sites to find it.

Firstrowsports,is normally easy and safe.

tug509 wrote:

Hovite wrote:

fretlessbass wrote:
I've just been looking at the Norwich Evening News. Norwich fans have only positive things to say about Crofts, and praise for his contribution to their club's success. A lot Brighton fans on this site have seemingly little positive to say about this player. We'll soon have a deserved reputation as total miserablists !

Fortunately the positive comments shone through the negative ones in yesterday’s thread. Personally I think we should always welcome new players with open arms and without negative pre-judgment, especially when openly published for them to read.

farside, I think that because McLean is only 5ft 6in he would not be the target man we are looking for.

Totally agree,if Crofts was a second rate player,but with the obvious love that he has indicated for our club,you would still have to admire his commitment.But he is an first rate midfielder who will give us his all,unless as you rightly say we dont appreciate him,in which case the poor bloke might wonder what he has done coming home!

Having said that, SMF20 did get a hard time on here yesterday and his comment wasn't aimed at putting Crofts down. It was shabba123 that really put the boot in.

Hovite wrote:

tug509 wrote:

Hovite wrote:

fretlessbass wrote:
I've just been looking at the Norwich Evening News. Norwich fans have only positive things to say about Crofts, and praise for his contribution to their club's success. A lot Brighton fans on this site have seemingly little positive to say about this player. We'll soon have a deserved reputation as total miserablists !

Fortunately the positive comments shone through the negative ones in yesterday’s thread. Personally I think we should always welcome new players with open arms and without negative pre-judgment, especially when openly published for them to read.

farside, I think that because McLean is only 5ft 6in he would not be the target man we are looking for.

Totally agree,if Crofts was a second rate player,but with the obvious love that he has indicated for our club,you would still have to admire his commitment.But he is an first rate midfielder who will give us his all,unless as you rightly say we dont appreciate him,in which case the poor bloke might wonder what he has done coming home!

Having said that, SMF20 did get a hard time on here yesterday and his comment wasn't aimed at putting Crofts down. It was shabba123 that really put the boot in.

Just to put this to bed finally. I rate Crofts, I like what he does, his commitment is 2nd to none and his engine is phenomenal. I'm very pleased he is back with us. My comment was purely one to suggest that he was not what I was expecting. I wasn't expecting a Modric, Essien or indeed a proven Premiership player but I was expecting a Trotter type. This was not unrealistic and seemed to be what a lot of people desired. I have not forgotten where we came from either.mi played for our great team for a number of years and so am more than aware at the strides that have been made. I support our team like everyone else here. I welcome every new player and in Crofts case as I have stated, I'm glad he is back. I simply expected someone different due to all of the hype.
On a different note. It's a strange transfer window this one. The cost of players to buy seems to have dropped a considerable amount with the salary being paid now seemingly the all important factor. UTA

On the seagulls site when interviewed Andrew Crofts said that He had known of Brightons interest for a couple of weeks so it goes to show that things are happening behind the scenes all of the time.On a more serious note when asked about CMS going Gus touched His nose?I hope it wasn't a tell.

The club has always said that everyone has a price. I think we are quite happy for other clubs to make us offers so we can put a value on our players, this is the poker playing side of the club. CMS will be staying just like Noone, Bridcutt, Greer and Dunk. I am not surprised that Gus touched his nose as this is all part of the hype.

Now if it had been "Bennett" coming back then you would have been excited.

Camicus wrote:

farside wrote:
Wahay! Acknowledgement that CMS is being chased by Leeds. If we want to keep him, his old sparring partner Aaron McLean could be available at Hull - now there's a fantasy pairing with a striker proven at this level. When you play a slow measured build-up defences have time aplenty to get back and we invariably face a double line with everyone intent on denyng space. What we lack is someone who will create the gaps for CMS to exploit and someone who has done exactly that before has to be worth a look surely? May not have been on the radar initially but as options reduce he might well be worth a look now?

I'm not sure options are reduced I think Gus knows exactly who he wants and is just waiting for things to fall in to place. If it is a swap deal+cash from Leeds then we might be waiting on that cash to get (insert rumoured striker)in from there parent club.

We had Paul Barber and Paul Camillin at Seagulls Over London the other day. They said there are excellent options in hand but it's inevitably a waiting game for the footy food to come down the chain only when the "Lions" have fed and spat out their unrequired excess! (My analogy, not theirs!)

....in other words we are relatively well fed Hyenas who are nonetheless hanging about for a couple more bites of the antelope carcass.

Captain Haddock wrote:
....in other words we are relatively well fed Hyenas who are nonetheless hanging about for a couple more bites of the antelope carcass.

Excellent analogy all it leaves me to say is Raaaooooor!!!

Captain Haddock wrote:
....in other words we are relatively well fed Hyenas who are nonetheless hanging about for a couple more bites of the antelope carcass.

Lets hope its not the bare bones!......I dont think we will be dissapointed,IMHO Gus is up there with Peter Taylor and my personal favourite Alan Mullery.UTA

tug509 wrote:

Captain Haddock wrote: ....in other words we are relatively well fed Hyenas who are nonetheless hanging about for a couple more bites of the antelope carcass.

Lets hope its not the bare bones!......I dont think we will be dissapointed,IMHO Gus is up there with Peter Taylor and my personal favourite Alan Mullery.UTA

Praise indeed and I'd go SAFARI as to say he's capable of eclipsing them given time and if he stays on for a period. He's certainly been a ROARING success so far!

Captain Haddock wrote:

tug509 wrote:

Captain Haddock wrote: ....in other words we are relatively well fed Hyenas who are nonetheless hanging about for a couple more bites of the antelope carcass.

Lets hope its not the bare bones!......I dont think we will be dissapointed,IMHO Gus is up there with Peter Taylor and my personal favourite Alan Mullery.UTA

Praise indeed and I'd go SAFARI as to say he's capable of eclipsing them given time and if he stays on for a period. He's certainly been a ROARING success so far!

Just read on the BBC website we are looking for a Striker.I thought the whole World Knew that a couple of months ago.Mind you they got that info from the Fans Forum.As a certain perso once said "Are You keeping up".

Captain Haddock wrote:

tug509 wrote:

Captain Haddock wrote: ....in other words we are relatively well fed Hyenas who are nonetheless hanging about for a couple more bites of the antelope carcass.

Lets hope its not the bare bones!......I dont think we will be dissapointed,IMHO Gus is up there with Peter Taylor and my personal favourite Alan Mullery.UTA

Praise indeed and I'd go SAFARI as to say he's capable of eclipsing them given time and if he stays on for a period. He's certainly been a ROARING success so far!

I just GNU you would say that, but i am hoping for a real SHARK in the box,...oops sorry good captain!!

tug509 wrote:

Captain Haddock wrote:

tug509 wrote:

Captain Haddock wrote: ....in other words we are relatively well fed Hyenas who are nonetheless hanging about for a couple more bites of the antelope carcass.

Lets hope its not the bare bones!......I dont think we will be dissapointed,IMHO Gus is up there with Peter Taylor and my personal favourite Alan Mullery.UTA

Praise indeed and I'd go SAFARI as to say he's capable of eclipsing them given time and if he stays on for a period. He's certainly been a ROARING success so far!

I just GNU you would say that, but i am hoping for a real SHARK in the box,...oops sorry good captain!!

Oh deer, oh deer, Tug. I like to think your having giraffe, but it ant too clever so far. A meerkatastrophe in fact!

Captain Haddock wrote:

tug509 wrote:

Captain Haddock wrote:

tug509 wrote:

Captain Haddock wrote: ....in other words we are relatively well fed Hyenas who are nonetheless hanging about for a couple more bites of the antelope carcass.

Lets hope its not the bare bones!......I dont think we will be dissapointed,IMHO Gus is up there with Peter Taylor and my personal favourite Alan Mullery.UTA

Praise indeed and I'd go SAFARI as to say he's capable of eclipsing them given time and if he stays on for a period. He's certainly been a ROARING success so far!

I just GNU you would say that, but i am hoping for a real SHARK in the box,...oops sorry good captain!!

Oh deer, oh deer, Tug. I like to think your having giraffe, but it ant too clever so far. A meerkatastrophe in fact!

Thanks for the laugh,cheered my day up,speak again good captain.UTA

Yes indeed, Tug.

Enjoy the game tomorrow if you are going.