A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

SkyBET Championship

25th April 2014

Brighton and Hove Albion (0)2
LuaLua 78
Lingard 90

Yeovil (0)0

Attendance: 26,901
League Position: 6th

A sometimes nervy but ultimately routine victory over relegation bound Yeovil showed glimpses of what might have been this season if Buckley and Orlandi had both bit fit and on the pitch together more often.

For one of only a few times this campaign Brighton's most creative duo started together and both showed what the team had been missing

Down side of changing trains at Reading

particularly in the first half. Whenever Buckley gets a chance to run down the wing he usually causes problems and Orlandi was the most creative midfield influence. He rarely gives the ball away and keeps it moving at pace around the pitch. A less rusty Orlandi would have converted one of the two gilt edged chances that came his way in the first half but that should not detract from his overall contribution. Without these two the Albion are solid and workmanlike but they bring a creative flair which might have turned many of this season's draws (particularly at home) into victories. Orlandi is the best set piece player and does not suffer from the over and/or under hit disease which affects other players. 

Both sides had opportunities to go in ahead in a pretty even first half. Palazuelos rattled the Albion cross bar with Kuszczak beaten but he recovered to grab the ball before it bounced down and over the line. From a free kick Kuszczak came flying out to punch the ball, missed it entirely but was grateful to a calm Dunk standing on the line who controlled and cleared the ball.

At the other end Orlandi should have converted from near the penalty spot but instead steered

"Hands up those who want me to stay!"

the ball wide of Stech's left hand post and shortly afterwards headed tamely wide from a cross from the left. A good run and shot from Buckley saw Stech collect the ball low to his left.

The Albion slowly but surely gained territorial advantage in the second half and all the chasing and closing down was beginning to take its toll on the Yeovil defenders. Time for LuaLua to come on and do what LuaLua does best. The tiring defenders had difficulty containing him and after 78 minutes he curled in a centre from wide on the left which Ulloa could not reach but did enough to distract Stech who could only watch as the ball arced into the left hand corner of the net. Cue LuaLua's trademark somersaulting celebration.

With March on to use his pace against a flagging defence he went clear in added on time and crossed for Lingard to drive high into the net from near the penalty spot for his third Albion goal.

Yeovil were not the poorest team to visit the Amex this season and much of their approach play was attractive and they defended resolutely but a lack of a goal scorer showed why they have spent most of the

"Gully: what the hell are we going to do for the next 4 months?"

season near the foot of the table.  In a soccer world where the money calls the shots we need more Yeovils so perhaps they will be back soon.

Talking about money it looks like Gus Poyet's fears that FFP deniers and parachute payment rich relegated teams would dominate prize giving this year are coming to pass. The three relegated teams are all now in play off positions and of the three Championship teams that did not sign up to FFP I wonder how many of them lie above the Albion. Diplomatically Paul Barber did not name them in his programme article. It would be good for the Albion to make the play offs on the final day if only to leave either Reading or Wigan to worry about next season's finances with a reduced relegation bonus to play with. 

So that is it! No more regular season games at the Amex with only nails left to bite in the land of Robin Hood next Saturday lunch time. Perhaps the Albion can rob the rich and give to the poor!

REF WATCH: Mr. Madley improved as the game progressed. Low point was refusing to give a free kick when Buckley was fouled but did not go down and then lost possession. High point was booking Davis after letting play go on after the game's only bad foul which led to Stephens limping off.

MAGIC MOMENT: A raking 60 yard pass from Dunk to Buckley standing on the wing. Dunk showed

enough in this game to indicate he may be a first choice central defender next season. Back to form of two years ago when he showed so much promise.

TREATMENT ROOM REVOLVING DOOR: Orlandi did not have a season ticket after all but Crofts must be rather lonely in there now.

MANAGER WATCH: Oscar has worked out the vagaries of an English Spring and dressed accordingly. Gary Johnson had his usual pub bar suit on but he and his team deserved the warm applause from the West Stand many of whom may well have been recalling that the Albion were a Yeovil not many seasons ago.

ALTERNATIVE MAN OF THE MATCH: LEWIS DUNK for that 60 yard pass, clearance off the line and showing rich promise for 2014/15. 

A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

SkyBET Championship

21st April 2014

Brighton and Hove Albion (0)1
Stephens 46

Blackpool (0)1
Dobbie 50

Attendance: 27,610
League Position: 6th

Will the real Oscar Garcia please step forward!

OSCAR 1: Arrived at club too late to influence preseason training or import new players. Inherited an ageing squad from previous manager and was immediately hit by long term injuries to key players. In circumstances has done well to be in with shout of a play off place with two games to go.

OSCAR 2: Even after 44 games still has little idea how to see off lower Championship teams whilst team has a style of play which is predictable and easily nullified by the opposition particularly when playing at home. Plan B seems to be resorting to a long ball style of play much better suited to League 1. Team cannot turn chances into goals, generally lacks creativity and substitutions are often made too late to influence outcome of games.

Oscar Garcia is rapidly turning into the "Marmite" coach with both sides having their say following yesterday's frustrating draw against a team who will almost certainly be playing in League 1 next season. A mixture of mild booing and general disgruntlement with applause for players who, despite the result, had put their all into the effort to force to a win.

Not for the first time the Albion were humbled by a ghost from the past when Dobbie rifled in the Amex's goal of the season to equalise Stephens' spectacular opener on 46 minutes. Some sections of the crowd

Stephens and mates celebrate his goal

gave Dobbie a hard time but the reality is if he had been in Albion's midfield in place of the totally ineffectual March the outcome could have been very different. Dobbie found time and space in the gap behind Blackpool's striker and proved to be a right handful throughout the game.

You would have hardly known the importance of the game to both sides in a first half that had all the excitement of drying paint. From the off Blackpool pushed three players well up the pitch to stop the Albion from playing out from the back. The home side were totally clueless on how to cope with this so clearances were thumped down the pitch resulting with the ball being headed back and possession surrendered. 

An atmosphere more suited to the County Cricket Ground was beneficial to the visitors who fiddled away, wasted time and generally frustrated any sense of a free flowing game. Dobbie had a chance when Greer and Upson failed to clear on the edge of the area when he hit the ball just wide of the post. Long distance shots from Stephens and LuaLua were well handled by Gilks and the best Albion chance fell to Ulloa just before half time when he headed just over from a Stephens' corner. 

March, who had a nightmare of a first half, failed to appear after the break and was replaced by Buckley. The change immediately reaped dividends when a Ward cross was headed down by Ulloa into the path of Stephens who made space for himself and hit the ball high into the net beyond Gilks from 20 yards. The best goal seen at the Amex this season only be surpassed by Dobbie just four minutes later. A back heel took Greer out of the game and allowed Dobbie to run free into the area where from an acute angle he curled the ball beyond Kusczcak who could only clutch at thin air. It was the sort of goal the Albion's midfield has been missing this season due mainly to the long term absence of both Orlandi and Crofts.

The Albion's opportunity to take control of the game was lost in four short minutes. Instead their response was to launch a series of high balls for Ulloa and CMS to fight for.

LuaLua's final contribution to the game

Needless to say the more this tactic was used the less it looked like succeeding as the Blackpool defenders dominated in the air and thumped the ball away on every opportunity. Most League 1 teams can cope with a high ball bombardment let alone any team in the Championship.

The best chance fell to Buckley when, from a move down the right, found himself in space on the edge of the area but could not hit the target with only Gilks to beat. Buckley appeared to share the collective sigh of frustration that echoed around the Amex.

The harsh truth is that Gilks had a pretty quiet afternoon given all the Albion possession and the second half aerial bombardment and was not forced into a serious save all game.

So the Albion cling on to a play off place by their finger nails but now need the help of others having tossed away the opportunity to determine their own destiny.

The Albion have one final opportunity to see off a bottom three side at the Amex when the doomed Yeovil visit on Friday evening. If the team collectively fails again I dread how fans will react.

Meanwhile on a planet far, far away Ashley Barnes was heading the goal that took Burnley into the Premiership!

And finally a random thought...............Calderon to retire from playing and replace Nathan Jones as first team coach!!

REF WATCH: Mr. Russell was a return to the usual Championship level of mediocre reffing. From outset thought everytime LuaLua or Lingard hit the turf they were diving. This only served to encourage

Another chance passes by

defenders to push the pair over at every opportunity without fear of being penalised. He did book five Blackpool players for  various offences related to breaking up play.

TREATMENT ROOM REVOLVING DOOR: Buckley out (apparently) with treatment table season ticket passed to Orlandi. That other midfield player whose name I have forgotten as has not been seen for sometime last spotted at casino on Brighton seafront (apparently).

MANAGER WATCH: The warmer afternoons have seen Oscar don a South Railways ticket inspector uniform. Meanwhile Barry Ferguson looked on hardly believing how easy it is to a take a point away from the Amex.

ALTERNATIVE MAN OF THE MATCH: STEPHEN WARD - at least he was his usual dependable self and put over a couple of crosses that deserved a better fate.

A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

SkyBET Championship

12th April 2014

Brighton and Hove Albion (2)3
Lingard 11
Ulloa 43
Forster-Caskey 90

Charlton Athletic (0)0

Attendance: 28,770
League Position: 6th

The Albion have struggled to see off the Championship's lower teams at the Amex this season but not yesterday as a confident display saw the Seagulls into a play off spot and left Charlton still worrying about relegation. 

With Lingard and LuaLua playing in the front three the Albion have the much needed attacking pace that has been lacking this season.

Charlton defend a free kick

The pair terrorised the visitor's defence in the first half with both goals coming as a result of their speed and direct approach. 

After 11 minutes LuaLua dispossessed Poyet, Lingard picked up the loose ball, ran straight at the Charlton defence and showed great skill to steer the ball wide of Hamer. Shortly afterwards LuaLua nearly scored his first of the season as the visitor's defence retreated in front of him but the shot was well saved by Hamer.

The game went beyond Charlton in the few seconds just before half time. On one of few visits to the Albion penalty area a Sordell shot took a massive deflection off Greer and a bemused Ankergren could only turn and watch the ball rattle the cross bar. Upson thumped the ball down the pitch where it found its way to Lingard who drifted past a couple of challenges, fed Ulloa who drove the ball beyond Hamer. 

Ulloa chose substitute Calderon to celebrate the goal with. Was that perhaps a hint about a new contract next season for the popular Spaniard? He could count himself unlucky to be the only player dropped after the midweek victory at Leicester.

Given Oscar's Spanish credentials the Albion were never going to go for high scoring glory in the second half. There was a lot of possession play leaving the Charlton players to huff and puff to no particular effect. The best chance fell to Lingard whose pace once again took him beyond the defence but he placed the  ball over the bar when clean through on goal. He brought a fine diving save from Hamer at a free

Remember me?

kick and from the resulting corner March had Hamer back peddling to flip the ball over the bar. 

There was ironic cheering from the visiting supporters when Charlton managed to force a corner and again when a passing movement from deep in Brighton's half ended up back with Hamer. 

As always there is still room for improvement as the Albion sometimes gave the ball away when not under pressure which would have been punished  by more proficient opponents. March struggled to pick up his game twice in a week but that will come with time. 

The final goal came deep into added time when Rodriguez played the ball back to Ward and his pass forward was headed back to Forster-Caskey who advanced to the edge of the penalty area where he placed the ball wide of the diving Hamer at his near post. 

The cherry on the cake would have a little cameo from CMS. He ran up and down the line a lot to remind Oscar but it was not to be as it was Spanish Rod who got final sub nod.

Ankergen, on what might have been his final Amex appearance, could not have asked for a quieter afternoon only slightly blotting his

Buckley gets performance of the month

copybook once with a spilled cross which was cleared by the defence. 

Overall the back four were outstanding, although rarely placed under pressure, and Stephens and Andrews dominated midfield and the pace of Lingard and LuaLua complementing Ulloa upfront. 

So the Albion are into the play off positions and, if Leicester can maintain their record of gifts to the Albion at Reading on Monday night, the Seagulls' place in the post season lottery will, for the first time this season, be in their own hands. 

After 42 games last season the Albion were 5th with 65 points and this year they are 6th with 64 points. Not bad considering the pre-season turmoil and the long injury list.

TREATMENT ROOM REVOLVING DOOR: Buckley and Orlandi now with full non-time limited membership, Crofts long term but time limited membership but otherwise room appears to have been cleared apart from the bug struck Kuszczak.

MAGIC MOMENT: Almost any time Lingard got the ball.

REF WATCH: Did we have one today? The best type.

MANAGER WATCH: An aggressive flick of the wrist by Oscar every time a player's technical ability let him down. They may not have much of a team but Charlton's manager had a finely cut grey suit which made Oscar look positively scruffy.

ALTERNATIVE MAN OF THE MATCH: Has to be Lingard with a goal and an assist and being at the heart of much of what was good about

the Albion going forward. An honourable mention for Stephens - is he the new Brian Horton?