A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

SkyBET Championship

11th January 2014

Brighton and Hove Albion (0)1
David Lopez 58

Birmingham City (0)0

Attendance: 26,796

League Position: 6th (highest of the season and into a play off spot for first time)

The Amex concourse chatter was all about Barnes going to Burnley and whether Bridcutt would be following but to more prosperous pastures. Bridcutt was missing from the match day squad due, apparently, to a "niggle". I suspect the niggle is more between his ears than anywhere on his body.

What followed was a pretty routine victory which was more comfortable than the scoreline might suggest. Enough players had an

Moon over the Amex on a clear, crisp January day

excellent day to assure victory but there remain matters for Oscar to work on.

On the positive side Kuszczak was largely unoccupied, the back four looked solid with Upson outstanding as always against one of his former clubs, Ince and Andrews were solid in midfield, Crofts had several delightful touches and worked hard, David Lopez arguably his best game of the season and LuaLua was his usual bag of surprises.

One of the more mystifying habits under Oscar is that the team seems unable to take the confidence from a victory in the previous game into the next. This was no exception with a quiet and dithering start. Although the Albion dominated possession it was the boys from Brum who nearly took an early lead. One of those dying swan corners, no doubt meant for the head of the giant Zigic, dropped like an unexploded grenade in the Brighton penalty area and after a brief moment of slow motion play a Birmingham player somehow nudged the ball towards the home goal only for Keith Andrews to hack off the line. 

Apart from this it was the home side who dominated the first half opportunities albeit from distance. Ince stuck out a long leg to dispossess a clearing defender, knocked the ball to David Lopez whose low swerving shot was touched around the post by the diving Randolph.

As half time approached LuaLua had two fine strikes from distance. The first had Randolph diving to divert the goal bound shot around his left hand post. Shortly afterwards another blast from LuaLua swerved its way towards Randolph who somehow managed to knock the ball over the bar. 

The second half continued the general one-way traffic towards Birmingham's goal. Early on Bruno found himself unmarked on the edge of the penalty area, he knocked the ball towards Ulloa who seemed unable to to get his legs sorted out and the chance slipped away.

In the end it was a touch of class that settled the game. The Albion attacked down the right, a thunderbolt from Crofts was beaten away by Randolph, Ulloa's follow up shot was blocked and the rebound fell to David Lopez about 15 yards out. From a tight angle he hit the ball with the outside of his right foot and it flew past Randolph.

An expectant North Stand

After that another Crofts' pile driver was turned aside by Randolph, David Lopez fired narrowly wide and Ince could have settled the nerves in added time when,  put through by Obika, he tried to walk the ball into the net but was dispossessed.

Birmingham enjoyed plenty of possession in the closing stages but the Albion were well prepared for the tactic of going wide and trying to hit the giant Zigic with crosses. 

There are a few things for the Albion to work on, however. Ulloa enjoyed little support and looked strangely out of sorts. He often reminded me of a Toy Story figure trying to get legs in the right place before deciding what to do with the ball. He needs Conway back to create more chances for him. Apart from the goal, the Albion rarely threatened in the penalty area with all the best strikes coming from distance. 

Although he was sound defensively, Greer had a poor game going forward as an old habit from the Gus era re-emerged. He tends to walk forward with the ball and as a result the whole team stops moving. When he does release it the ball often falls short, possession is lost and suddenly the Albion find themselves having to defend. It was from such an incident Crofts was injured as tried to regain possession after Greer had needlessly given it way. He needs to study tapes of Upson who releases the ball earlier, quicker and more accurately and when a pass is not on he makes damn sure the opposition is facing its own goal when they eventually get the ball back.

Obika had a second half run out but it was difficult to come to any judgement as the service he received was poorer than for Ulloa.

The big disappointment of the day was Crofts' injury which will keep him out for the rest of the season. He has been the most consistent performer so far and his boots will be hard to fill. He works hard and is a leader on the pitch. Arguably two of the hardest workers, Barnes and Crofts, have gone from the team for different reasons and if Bridcutt goes as well it just could undermine the play off push.

In the bigger

East Stand gets the Sun in its eyes for the first time in 2014

picture on 12th January last year the Albion defeated Derby County 2-1 at the Amex to go 8th with 40 points. A year later they are 2 places better off with one less point. Given the injuries and back room upheavals that is quite an achievement.

MANAGER WATCH: Oscar, with hands in pocket, calmly watched the whole thing play out in front of him. In contrast Lee Clarke prowled the penalty area kicking every ball and sending his blood pressure soaring.

MAGIC MOMENT: Has to be David Lopez's outside of the right foot volley for the goal.

TREATMENT ROOM WATCH: Buckley: permanently stuck in the revolving door, Crofts in to join CMS who appears to moving towards the exit.

ALTERNATIVE MAN OF THE MATCH: LuaLua received the sponsor's vote no doubt for the first half long distance strikes but my vote goes to David Lopez who was the class show on the pitch. 

REF WATCH: Unlike many refs Mr. East was prepared to book those who foul LuaLua early and frequently but was involved in one strange moment. Crofts appeared to be sent bowling in the penalty area, Mr. East waved play on, the assistant ref waved for a foul so play was stopped for free kick right on the edge rather than a penalty.