A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

SkyBET Championship

3rd December 2013

Brighton and Hove Albion (0)1
Upson 63

Barnsley (1)2
McCourt 35
Mellis 50

Attendance: 25,759
League Postion: 11th

One team walked on to the pitch on the back of an unbeaten run of 6 games, just 3 points away from a play off place and seemingly full of confidence. Its manager and goalkeeper up for manager and player of the month awards. The other entered bottom of the league, without an away win all season, only 1 point from their last 8 away games and without a goal since the swallows left. A recently landed Martian would have thought Brighton were the latter and Barnsley the former on the performances on Tuesday evening. 

The first 45 minutes would have been a strong contender for the poorest Seagulls' performance since landing at the Amex and the second half, although much improved, would have made the shortlist.

The visitor's caretaker manager, Mickey Mellon, arrived with a plan and the Albion were totally clueless on how to respond. Barnsley packed the centre of midfield with 5 players against the home team's 3. They consistently crowded out the Albion's midfielders, fed the ball to the always-

I know mate, it was grim!

free Mellis and set about dribbling down the centre of the pitch. Twice Barnsley dribbled all the way to the back of Kuszczak's net. Each time he got a hand to the ball but could not stop it entering the goal. The centre of the Albion's defence took on the consistency of a marshmallow.

Forster-Caskey spent 45 mintes chasing shadows, Bridcutt (understandably) looked short of match sharpness and this coincided with Crofts' first off day of the season. The physical presence of Ince was badly missed as Barnsley won most of the 50-50 balls.

On the evening only Conway and Agustien (who replaced the disappointing David Lopez on 65 minutes) enhanced their reputations. Conway was desperately unlucky not to open the scoring on 20 minutes when a thunderous 30 yard drive was deflected on to the bar by Butland. He provided the cross at the end of Albion's move of the match which saw Butland produce another fine save, this time from Buckley. From the resulting Conway corner Upson headed Brighton back into the game. 

After that chances to equalise and possibly take the lead came and went. Barnes and Greer headed over the bar, Barnes sent an overhead kick just wide and Butland denied Buckley in a one to one. 

Just as Albion were building up a head of steam the ref apparently pulled a hamstring and limped off. The 5 minute delay took the impetus out of the play and the home side never really recovered. In the 7 added minutes the Albion could not conjure a genuine opportunity. 

So the game petered out and the final whistle was meet with booing in some sections of the ground.

Having failed to beat the bottom team the top team are now the next visitors. The Albion owe the fans, and themselves, a stirring performance and an unexpected 3 points. 

MANAGER WATCH: Each goal was met with much man hugging in the visitor's technical area. Oscar, well wrapped against the winter chill looked, for most of the time, as if he wished he could be somewhere else.

REF WATCH: Showed great speed in leaving stage left to be replaced by the fourth official when injured. Both refs wore pencils down booking 4 Barnsley players.

MAGIC MOMENT: Few contenders but Conway's solo run, shot from 30 yards and Butland's deflection on to the bar gets the award.

ATLERNATIVE MAN OF THE MATCH: As usual the stadium award went to the goal scorer but Albion's stand out player was CONWAY. Only player who looked consistently threatening, unluckly not to score and see his cross to Buckley converted.