Gus: Dobbie will be fantastic (From The Argus)

Have seen enough of Dobbie to recognise he has the potential to shine. There are already signs of him forming an understanding with the midfielders and forwards, with triangles being worked (work in progress) and he certainly has a shot on him - shame defenders have charged down all his efforts so far but a return to a near full strength squad will see him benefit from more space around the edge of the box.

I have high hopes for him.

With regard to Vicente, it's all smoke and mirrors with what is said by the club's management. Top player on big money and GP has no real idea if he will show up for training!! Come on!!!!!!!

Good assessment on Dobbie (should it be anything else!!) I think he has the ability to do great things when there will be CMS's pace on the same park.

Just a shout out to gordongull, I hope all is ok and you are only taking a temporary rest from posting?

Dobbie is clearly a part of Brighton's future as not many come into our team on a three year contract right from the get go.
I really like Lopez and Olandi is all ready showing his class.
Not sure what Gus means when he refers to Vicente, what could happen in three days to stop him from returning to training?

I've seen enough of him to conclude that his movement is well below par, he has good feet but not a good enough brain. Gus you have alot of work to do with him if he is to make an impact.

Boro at home will not be easy. But fingers crossed gus will have a full squad to choose from. I strongly fancy us next week, which because of the players out i hav nt the last two games. Think the next three games, are pivotal to the season, six points from the three games will be fine and dandy.

VegasSeagull wrote:
Dobbie is clearly a part of Brighton's future as not many come into our team on a three year contract right from the get go.
I really like Lopez and Olandi is all ready showing his class.
Not sure what Gus means when he refers to Vicente, what could happen in three days to stop him from returning to training?

I think Gus is referring to the fact that he has been in the situation of expecting Vicente back in training after injury on a few occasions, only to find he had developed some other problem or worsening of his condition.
I feel Vicente is genuinely a bit fragile and this is not him swinging the lead, he had similar difficulties at Valencia in the last 2 or 3 years there, so it would be unfair to attribute the time spent off the pitch to the summer will he, won't he, saga and the eventual use of the option to extend.

Agree with comments, but what is happening with KLL. Surely he should be match fit after his small op and playing more regularly.

Btw I posted this a few threads ago upon my return to posting duties but a bit too late to be read...


Alright chaps?!

I'm back and can confirm I WASNT kidnapped by Vegas as has been suggested! ....actually I've just escaped his cage and stumbled back to civilisation from the desert! ;0)

So we've been on a sticky run of results, but I'm not unduly worried yet. We have had CMS, Bruno and Crofty out in that time, plus other various disruption (Bucker's fragile hammy) and still no "elusive Spanish Pimpernel".

The mini-blip has been frustrating - especially with comeback kings Crippled Phallus on fire at the moment (though not literally I'm afraid!) - but it has been useful in telling us what are shortcomings are while we've been able to sustain a top six spot. We are still nearly on a 2-points-per-game-pr

omotion-gaining-rati
o with a welcome rest week and key players due back.

I also think we perform better against good sides so hold no fear for our upcoming visits to Leicester and the like.

It's no coincidence that Bruno's return to the side has already seen a marked improvement in our team performance at Derby albeit they didn't set up against us quite like Brum and the farm hands.

With players coming back we'll be fine as long as we don't hit a full-on injury crisis thereafter. I've seen quality in Dobbie's play that suggests a very good link-man is on our hands once fully assimilated to our team and expect to see much more from Lopez, who incidentally I've heard recently was once linked with Liverpool in the Rafa days.

This season's fortunes have closely resembled last term it's true but our early performances have been far more convincing than last season's equivalents and we are undoubtedly a better team and stronger squad than at that time. We DO need a couple more players to complete the picture (as discussed ad infinum on here) but a combination of that and the current new players getting into their stride will see us maintain a spot in the play-offs.

I've looked at a few other games and am not convinced there is anything significant to worry about from our rivals.

UTA! COYBs!

VegasSeagull wrote:
Dobbie is clearly a part of Brighton's future as not many come into our team on a three year contract right from the get go.
I really like Lopez and Olandi is all ready showing his class.
Not sure what Gus means when he refers to Vicente, what could happen in three days to stop him from returning to training?

He could easily break a finger nail,stub his big toe....

Aye Aye Capn Haddock, I just thought you were away on a fishing trip.

Yep I agree with what you saying, last year we were making lot’s of mistakes and being our own worst enemy. Torturerous sometimes, and beating ourselves. We have a control about us this year and many teams will setup to defend and try to pinch something, especially at the Amex.
I think we have been pretty solid and not every game is going to be a spectacle, it’s a long season.

Alfie T wrote:

VegasSeagull wrote:
Dobbie is clearly a part of Brighton's future as not many come into our team on a three year contract right from the get go.
I really like Lopez and Olandi is all ready showing his class.
Not sure what Gus means when he refers to Vicente, what could happen in three days to stop him from returning to training?

He could easily break a finger nail,stub his big toe....

...or miss his flight from Valencia or go down with another bout of home sickness ....

I thought MbtS said Vicente was looking sharp in training ... so maybe he has a twin brother who does all the training for him?

Forgot to say that I am reserving judgement on Dobbie. Not very impressed so far but he does need to settle in. Sometimes a lack of movement is the result of not quite knowing what your role is or what runs you should be making. Confidence plays a big part as well.

CAKEBEARD wrote:
I've seen enough of him to conclude that his movement is well below par, he has good feet but not a good enough brain. Gus you have alot of work to do with him if he is to make an impact.

good enough to be promoted with Swansea and Blackpool at this level. Maybe your brain isn't good enough to understand football.

At least we will get to see Dobbie perform and score a few goals. No chance with Vicente, but how I wish.

Captain Haddock wrote:
Btw I posted this a few threads ago upon my return to posting duties but a bit too late to be read...


Alright chaps?!

I'm back and can confirm I WASNT kidnapped by Vegas as has been suggested! ....actually I've just escaped his cage and stumbled back to civilisation from the desert! ;0)

So we've been on a sticky run of results, but I'm not unduly worried yet. We have had CMS, Bruno and Crofty out in that time, plus other various disruption (Bucker's fragile hammy) and still no "elusive Spanish Pimpernel".

The mini-blip has been frustrating - especially with comeback kings Crippled Phallus on fire at the moment (though not literally I'm afraid!) - but it has been useful in telling us what are shortcomings are while we've been able to sustain a top six spot. We are still nearly on a 2-points-per-game-pr


omotion-gaining-rati

o with a welcome rest week and key players due back.

I also think we perform better against good sides so hold no fear for our upcoming visits to Leicester and the like.

It's no coincidence that Bruno's return to the side has already seen a marked improvement in our team performance at Derby albeit they didn't set up against us quite like Brum and the farm hands.

With players coming back we'll be fine as long as we don't hit a full-on injury crisis thereafter. I've seen quality in Dobbie's play that suggests a very good link-man is on our hands once fully assimilated to our team and expect to see much more from Lopez, who incidentally I've heard recently was once linked with Liverpool in the Rafa days.

This season's fortunes have closely resembled last term it's true but our early performances have been far more convincing than last season's equivalents and we are undoubtedly a better team and stronger squad than at that time. We DO need a couple more players to complete the picture (as discussed ad infinum on here) but a combination of that and the current new players getting into their stride will see us maintain a spot in the play-offs.

I've looked at a few other games and am not convinced there is anything significant to worry about from our rivals.

UTA! COYBs!

Nice to have you back Haddock

Dobbie will do the business this year no doubt

Too many doom and gloom merchants around

Reading were bottom of the table at a similar time of the year and we should be worried?

UTA.................
....

Interesting news on the search for a striker front:

http://www1.skysport
s.com/football/news/
11741/8162635/

BobbyLaverick wrote:
Interesting news on the search for a striker front:

http://www1.skysport

s.com/football/news/
What's interesting ?

Me thinks on or two will be eating humble pie ref dobbie come the end of the season. Will it be gus or me? I just don't see dobbie working out on what I have seen, may I be wrong for the club,s benefit.

Hovite wrote:
Aye Aye Capn Haddock, I just thought you were away on a fishing trip.

Yep I agree with what you saying, last year we were making lot’s of mistakes and being our own worst enemy. Torturerous sometimes, and beating ourselves. We have a control about us this year and many teams will setup to defend and try to pinch something, especially at the Amex.
I think we have been pretty solid and not every game is going to be a spectacle, it’s a long season.

Spot on, Hovey!

Far gull wrote:
Me thinks on or two will be eating humble pie ref dobbie come the end of the season. Will it be gus or me? I just don't see dobbie working out on what I have seen, may I be wrong for the club,s benefit.

You may!

;0)

Hiya Cap'n, say what you like I still maintain you share a secret life with Vegas as you tend to disappear together... Oh well, back to the article and the little slip by GP when talking of Vicente. In the same breath he actually mentioned the word Hoskins...! Which means at least two things... One: he still remembers who he is and two: the lad has been spotted in training. Great news. A fully fit Hosko will undoubtedly put more pressure on Dobbie to perform. For the moment I reserve judgement on the latter - I have a conspiracy theory that the Albion have negotiated a lucky dip policy with Swansea. Sometimes you win - Orlandi - and sometimes you lose - Harley... I'm not sure which pot Dobbie will fall into but as you can all imagine, fingers remain firmly crossed.

Jonathan Mouette wrote:
Hiya Cap'n, say what you like I still maintain you share a secret life with Vegas as you tend to disappear together... Oh well, back to the article and the little slip by GP when talking of Vicente. In the same breath he actually mentioned the word Hoskins...! Which means at least two things... One: he still remembers who he is and two: the lad has been spotted in training. Great news. A fully fit Hosko will undoubtedly put more pressure on Dobbie to perform. For the moment I reserve judgement on the latter - I have a conspiracy theory that the Albion have negotiated a lucky dip policy with Swansea. Sometimes you win - Orlandi - and sometimes you lose - Harley... I'm not sure which pot Dobbie will fall into but as you can all imagine, fingers remain firmly crossed.

Early bird JM, explain to me what a fully fit Hosko is, never heard of this? Not long now until we return to our theatre of dreams, let's hope it's not a nightmare against Borough. Personally, I think we will win and get back on the promotion trail. A fit CMS and Crofts hopefully, other than that I don't think there will be many surprises on the player front.

Alfie T wrote:
BobbyLaverick wrote:
Interesting news on the search for a striker front:

http://www1.skysport


s.com/football/news/

What's interesting ?Matt Green - Mansfield striker.

Yogi wrote:
Alfie T wrote:
BobbyLaverick wrote:
Interesting news on the search for a striker front:

http://www1.skysport



s.com/football/news/


What's interesting ?Matt Green - Mansfield striker.Apparently most of the Championship clubs are tracking him.

I think how good Dobbie turns out to be depends a lot on how he is used.We`ve got a lot of good midfielders which gives Gus a lot of formation options.Its been said before (myself included) that he is probably best suited in the middle behind the striker/s,if he is played too far forward ,i think he will be wasted.UTA

Bored on a Sunday afternoon, so just interested in my fellow supporters opinion on the Albions new and emerging status. How big a club are we currently,and how big realistically could we become?

Alfie T wrote:
Bored on a Sunday afternoon, so just interested in my fellow supporters opinion on the Albions new and emerging status. How big a club are we currently,and how big realistically could we become?

I was thinking about this only yesterday,and it occurred to me that St Mary`s cost The Saint`s £32m to build in 2001-2002,and we are building a training facility for £29m,that put it in perspective for me!..UTA

Alfie T wrote:
Bored on a Sunday afternoon, so just interested in my fellow supporters opinion on the Albions new and emerging status. How big a club are we currently,and how big realistically could we become?

Hi Alfie - having watched the F1 and Grosjean managing to avoid hitting anyone I am equally bored. So, in my humble opinion -often gently berated by you and fellow contributor Tug as being rather negative - here is my forecast. We shall, by hook or by crook, sneak promotion this season. We shall keep GP for at least 2 years in the PL finishing 12-14 the 1st year and 10-12 the 2nd. After that I'm not sure - the crystal ball is rather cloudy - but by landing the FA Cup we will also get a little European Cup run which will keep us all happy regardless of the outcome. There will be a number of ups and downs but we need the fairweather supporters, for whom there are many, to keep the faith. Playing in a half empty Amex would be soul destroying. Voila, those are my collected and rather unashamedly positive thoughts on the future upto 2015. I won't put any money on this but I will nevertheless continue to dream albeit with fingers firmly crossed.

Jonathan Mouette wrote:

Alfie T wrote:
Bored on a Sunday afternoon, so just interested in my fellow supporters opinion on the Albions new and emerging status. How big a club are we currently,and how big realistically could we become?

Hi Alfie - having watched the F1 and Grosjean managing to avoid hitting anyone I am equally bored. So, in my humble opinion -often gently berated by you and fellow contributor Tug as being rather negative - here is my forecast. We shall, by hook or by crook, sneak promotion this season. We shall keep GP for at least 2 years in the PL finishing 12-14 the 1st year and 10-12 the 2nd. After that I'm not sure - the crystal ball is rather cloudy - but by landing the FA Cup we will also get a little European Cup run which will keep us all happy regardless of the outcome. There will be a number of ups and downs but we need the fairweather supporters, for whom there are many, to keep the faith. Playing in a half empty Amex would be soul destroying. Voila, those are my collected and rather unashamedly positive thoughts on the future upto 2015. I won't put any money on this but I will nevertheless continue to dream albeit with fingers firmly crossed.

Personally JM i always consider your posts to be amongst the better informed on this site.As for suggesting you were a bit negative,what do you expect when you dont even mention our treble winning first premeirship season.UTA

Jonathan Mouette wrote:

Alfie T wrote:
Bored on a Sunday afternoon, so just interested in my fellow supporters opinion on the Albions new and emerging status. How big a club are we currently,and how big realistically could we become?

Hi Alfie - having watched the F1 and Grosjean managing to avoid hitting anyone I am equally bored. So, in my humble opinion -often gently berated by you and fellow contributor Tug as being rather negative - here is my forecast. We shall, by hook or by crook, sneak promotion this season. We shall keep GP for at least 2 years in the PL finishing 12-14 the 1st year and 10-12 the 2nd. After that I'm not sure - the crystal ball is rather cloudy - but by landing the FA Cup we will also get a little European Cup run which will keep us all happy regardless of the outcome. There will be a number of ups and downs but we need the fairweather supporters, for whom there are many, to keep the faith. Playing in a half empty Amex would be soul destroying. Voila, those are my collected and rather unashamedly positive thoughts on the future upto 2015. I won't put any money on this but I will nevertheless continue to dream albeit with fingers firmly crossed.

I don't consider you negative JM, I think like many true supporters posting here you are still perhaps in a mild state of shock as to how fortunate we now are compared to the years and years of suffering. I think maybe most of us want to run before we can walk,which I suppose is natural. European football at the Amex, now wouldn't that be something!

Thinking on where we might be next year, and next year is the only one worth considering right now, I am not totally convinced it will be in the premier division.

This year, more than last year, looks to be one of the toughest years due to the competition. Results appear to be somewhat eratic for several teams so far. Yes we have a good squad, maybe one of the best but we are short on cover up front. Finding cover up front is almost impossible due partly to our financial restraints and the purchasing power of some of the other teams. When we have our best eleven on the park and our best subs on the bench we can take on anyone any where but, take out three players and we struggle to win.

Like any good squad, with some stand out players within it, we will attract the attentions of clubs with money to spend so keeping those that could get us promoted will be hard. The last three matches have shown how much we have missed the services of CMS, could we finish the season strongly without him, finish strong enough to get promoted, I am not sure that we could.

By january we have to be in the top three to have a chance, and not only in the top three but safely there with points to spare over those behind us. Gus bought Dobbie and gave him a three year contract, I feel that Gus sees the goals we hope Dobbie will deliver will replace those of CMS if we lose him and if we do, then we will have big money in the bank for next season and still have Dobbie. Bruno might also be the target of a big offer and Tom our shot stopper too.

To get promoted we will need to keep all our players and I firmly hope we can. If it should happen that we can't one thing for sure is that we will have a whole lot of money to rebuild for next year. We were not ready for promotion last year and we are better prepared this year, it might be that we need one more year to be fully prepared. We need to get to the top, get a points cushion large enough to suggest automatic promotion is possible for then we will have a good chance to beat off those that would take our best assets away.

I am not putting us down, I am not casting doubts on our players or being defeatest I am just facing the facts as I see them and I know that most will not agree with my thoughts. .

Do we not all just reckon Vicente has been in Spain for the past few weeks? Not seeing or really knowing how your most influential player is as he's been in the medical centre all seems most odd - perhaps Facebook could help???? Once we have at least 90% of our top players (this seems an absolute rarity) on the pitch we are VERY capable of beating anyone in The Championship, not just on our day, but on any day - add in THAT target man and ............

Keep shooting!!

Class Tug, sheer class!!! I never thought a midtable PL finish would be considered negative... Sometimes we are better than Live at the Apollo. Shame it doesn't happen more often.

VegasSeagull wrote:
Thinking on where we might be next year, and next year is the only one worth considering right now, I am not totally convinced it will be in the premier division.

This year, more than last year, looks to be one of the toughest years due to the competition. Results appear to be somewhat eratic for several teams so far. Yes we have a good squad, maybe one of the best but we are short on cover up front. Finding cover up front is almost impossible due partly to our financial restraints and the purchasing power of some of the other teams. When we have our best eleven on the park and our best subs on the bench we can take on anyone any where but, take out three players and we struggle to win.

Like any good squad, with some stand out players within it, we will attract the attentions of clubs with money to spend so keeping those that could get us promoted will be hard. The last three matches have shown how much we have missed the services of CMS, could we finish the season strongly without him, finish strong enough to get promoted, I am not sure that we could.

By january we have to be in the top three to have a chance, and not only in the top three but safely there with points to spare over those behind us. Gus bought Dobbie and gave him a three year contract, I feel that Gus sees the goals we hope Dobbie will deliver will replace those of CMS if we lose him and if we do, then we will have big money in the bank for next season and still have Dobbie. Bruno might also be the target of a big offer and Tom our shot stopper too.

To get promoted we will need to keep all our players and I firmly hope we can. If it should happen that we can't one thing for sure is that we will have a whole lot of money to rebuild for next year. We were not ready for promotion last year and we are better prepared this year, it might be that we need one more year to be fully prepared. We need to get to the top, get a points cushion large enough to suggest automatic promotion is possible for then we will have a good chance to beat off those that would take our best assets away.

I am not putting us down, I am not casting doubts on our players or being defeatest I am just facing the facts as I see them and I know that most will not agree with my thoughts. .

I too have a slight concern that Tomasz might be the subject of a bid. Happened on the Sports Section of the Independent on Sunday this afternoon, to see a big article on Polish football with a big picture of our superb keeper. Reference to Brighton having the tightest defence in the Championship. I suppose it's a bit difficult to keep it a secret!

Jonathan Mouette wrote:

Alfie T wrote: Bored on a Sunday afternoon, so just interested in my fellow supporters opinion on the Albions new and emerging status. How big a club are we currently,and how big realistically could we become?

Hi Alfie - having watched the F1 and Grosjean managing to avoid hitting anyone I am equally bored. So, in my humble opinion -often gently berated by you and fellow contributor Tug as being rather negative - here is my forecast. We shall, by hook or by crook, sneak promotion this season. We shall keep GP for at least 2 years in the PL finishing 12-14 the 1st year and 10-12 the 2nd. After that I'm not sure - the crystal ball is rather cloudy - but by landing the FA Cup we will also get a little European Cup run which will keep us all happy regardless of the outcome. There will be a number of ups and downs but we need the fairweather supporters, for whom there are many, to keep the faith. Playing in a half empty Amex would be soul destroying. Voila, those are my collected and rather unashamedly positive thoughts on the future upto 2015. I won't put any money on this but I will nevertheless continue to dream albeit with fingers firmly crossed.

It would appear that you are a Telegraph crossword solver Jonathan. VOILA or Mot juste yesterday. That was the only clue I didn't solve. Thanks a lot, I know who to call when I'm stuck.

I think Gus needs to lay off the superlatives with Dobbie. He made the same mistake with another Swansea reject, Harley, who shares the same apparent lack of interest or effort as Dobbie (pronounced Dobbie unless he changes it to Dobie by deed poll). My judgement remains reserved at the moment, but he looks like we were the club who wanted him rather than the club he wanted to join.

Good morning all.
Interesting piece in the Mirror this morning via the BBC sports site football gossip column regarding Tomasz Kuszczak's efforts to leave Man Utd.

Blimey JM!

That WAS positive. Now, how do you reckon our first Champions League campaign will go?

Vegas,

I don't think people generally disagree with you at all (except perhaps re: Vicente) ...they were critical during that mad overkill posting session you had for a few days but I think by and large your contributions are succinct and often bang on the money.

(Now are you Wedge's brother or is that "the other" Vegas-based Seagull??!!)

Dobbie plays too deep and too central to be a regarded as a striker. On the other hand, Barnes plays much wider and makes his runs from deeper angles which is why he gets on the end of things. When Dobbie plays, he clogs up the middle and forces the central midfield deeper. Plus we don't get enough balls into the area from wide - which is how we score most of our goals. KLL was poor v Ipswich but so too was Orlandi yet he was praised to the rafters. Ashley B is much criticised but he does a Dirk Kuyt job for us. No coincidence that minus his and CMS movement we stop unsettling defences and the goals dry up. Need to start them both v Boro.

Captain Haddock wrote:
(Now are you Wedge's brother or is that "the other" Vegas-based Seagull??!!)

Well I have a brother who is a season ticket holder but I have never heard of him being called, 'Wedge.' Would be good to know who the other Vegas Seagull is, it would be cool to share a beer.