A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

"And labour shall refresh itself with hope"

FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

23rd February 2013

Brighton and Hove Albion (1) 1
David Lopez 20

Burnley (0)0

Attendance: 25,836

Gus does not make "winning ugly" but if he did it would look like this game. The victory over Burnley was achieved on the back of outstanding goalkeeping, solid defence and a dash of Latin flair. Seagull fans will gain quiet satisfaction from this season's double over Burnley given the trials and tribulations of last year's encounters.

At least they kept warm

The game was played in a subdued atmosphere as most fans concentrated on keeping warm on the Amex's coldest afternoon to date. Most of the excitement came in the first half with both sides coming close on several occasions. 

Burnley showed first with Kuszczak turning a cross come shot over the bar. The Albion began to open up Burnley down the left with Vicente and Orandi combining several times to put Bridge away to deliver tempting crosses. From one of these Orlandi back headed the ball deep into the Burnley area to the unmarked David Lopez who dispatched the ball wide of Lee Grant for his fifth goal of the season.

More crosses followed with Vicente missing a header by a whisker and the same player could not quite get hold of a shot and keep the ball down. Just before half time the hard working Ulloa was guilty of a terrible miss as he somehow put another Bridge cross over the bar from inside the 6 yard box.   

For their part Burnley were denied by yet another Kuszczak world class save as he somehow clawed a Shackell shot from behind him off the line. Shortly after he had reason to be grateful to Dicker for shanking another Shackell shot off the line. 

So a close fought first half ended with the Albion narrowly ahead. They clearly missed Bridcutt and some players were understandably a bit leggy after the tough midweek tussle at Cardiff. While Hammond effortlessly slipped into the holding midfield role Dicker was guilty of giving the ball away on several occasions. Uncharacteristically captain for the day Bruno was likewise guilty of surrendering possession easily. Vicente, although not quite at his best, showed us some several touches of Spanish magic.

The installation of these seats means the Amex now has no gaps

To be honest the second half was a bit of non event. Burnley saw the ball bounce just wide of Kuszczak's left hand post following a goal mouth scramble, Austin headed over and a Vicente free kick was deflected away for a corner.

Poyet's intent was pretty clear on the hour mark when he introduced  Barnes for Orlandi who played more or less as a second left back. Bridge rarely ventured forward in the second half. The Albion packed their midfield and invited Burnley to play in front of them and they duly obliged. In the end the visitors brought on former Albion loanee Vokes and resorted to lumping the ball to the far post. This no longer scares the Albion as it once did with the Stoke City trained Upson in the back line to head the ball away all day.

The fourth official found 4 added minutes and this is usually panic time for an Albion side when narrowly ahead but not today. They spent most of that time down in the right hand corner with CMS and David Lopez winning a succession of corners and throw ins as they successfully kept possession.   

CMS was a bundle of energy when he came on for the exhausted Ulloa and again opened up the intriguing prospect of them playing together.

The North Stand keeps warm on a bitter day

David Lopez was worthy of special note. Some doubted his worth when he first arrived last August but now he has settled into English football he has become indispensable to the side as he can occupy any position down the right and clearly score goals.

So the day's hard labour saw the Seagulls back in a play off place for the first time since the beginning of October and opened fresh hope of a place in the Play Off Final.

MAGIC MOMENT: Has to  be Kuszczak's save from Shackell. The shot appeared to have beaten him until the goalie somehow arched backwards and clawed the ball off the line. 

REF WATCH: Better than in recent weeks as both sides played in the right spirit for the most part. Had a habit of warning players before booking them if they offended again. Did not have any major decisions to make. Harsh on Ulloa given the  battering he received but that is par for the Championship. 

ALTERNATE MAN OF THE MATCH: The stadium award went to Vicente but for me it was ADAM EL-ABD although Upson ran him close. He was constantly heading away dangerous crosses and was usually first to the ball on the ground. With Greer fit Gus now has an embarrassment of riches at centre back.

 

A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

"That haunted us in our familiar paths"

12th February 2013

Football League Chanpionship

Brighton and Hove Albion (0) 1
Vicente 57(pen)

Blackburn Rovers (1) 1
Dann 23

Attendance: 24,759

Three questions about last night's game will remain unanswered until the end of eternity. How did Brighton not win? Why was Danny Murphy still on the pitch at the end of the game? Why were the sprinklers turned on before kick off?

The day the Albion filled the away end at Villa Park

Blackburn turned up at the Amex like many teams before them, and no doubt like many more to come, with a very limited game plan - defend in depth, try to hit on the break and hope for a bit of fortune at a set piece. In there more bolder moments Blackburn managed to mount some serious pressure on the half way line!

Since Appleton's arrival Rovers have climbed the table on the back of a succession of 1-0 wins. They score rarely and concede even less often. I once saw the Blackburn of Douglas, Dougan, Dobing and Clayton play and they would have buried their heads in their hands at this negative and defensive display.  

If this is the best that one of countries up and coming managers can do no wonder the national team is in such poor shape long term. This style of play may frustrate other teams but will not get Rovers back in the Premiership.

Some may call Gus naive but at least his sides try and play football and if last night proved anything it was that it is easier to defend a goal than it is to score one. Perhaps the FA should change the rules and award a discretionary point to the team showing the most determined effort to win a game. With a shot count of 16 to 6 it was pretty clear who would have won the point last night.

Some Blackburn fans on Twitter last night were telling me soccer is a results game. Well I disagree! It's part of the entertainment industry and they may wish to reflect on that next time they are staring at the empty seats at Ewood Park.

Taking the field for the cup tie at Stoke City

The result was a travesty; an injustice as the Albion totally dominated particularly in the first half but just could not find the back of the net. Kean pulled off 3 stunning saves and saw the ball whistle past his woodwork on several occasions. The Albion did not miss easy chances but just could not find the back of net. 

The chances were to numerous to describe here but suffice to say, with Vicente's prompting, Ulloa, Hammond and Vicente himself drove narrowly wide early on. Played in by Vicente Buckley stabbed the ball goal wards for Kean, running back , to scoop the ball off the line. A powerful header from Hammond seemed destined for the net but for Kean to stick out an arm and deflect the ball over the ball. A Ulloa header appeared to strike a hand before being cleared.

From an Albion corner Rovers broke away and were stopped by an Upson trip for which he was rightly booked. From the free kick a corner was awarded. Dann lost his marker and headed in at the near post. This was a sickening blow following perhaps the Albion's best opening 20 minutes of the season which could have seen then 5-0 up.

Things got worse shortly after when Hoskins went down in a clash with Kean going for a Ulloa centre. After a lengthy delay for treatment he was carried off. This was his big chance to show he could play with Ulloa so let's hope the injury is not to serious and that he is back soon. 

The restart gave us one of the game's less sporting moments. When the ref blew for Hoskins' treatment the ball was with Ulloa out on the right mid way inside the Blackburn half - a promising position. On the restart the ref ordered the Blackburn defender to give the ball back to Brighton but instead the ball was hit out for a throw in half way inside Brighton's half. The advantage the Albion had was lost, the crowd booed and the ref did nothing!

The pressure was maintained at the start of the second half with Vicente at the centre of everything. The pressure mounted, Rovers became more and more rattled, more of them were finding their name noted by the ref and from a Vicente centre the assistant linesman spotted a handball and Vicente cooly converted from the spot. This lead to time wasting by Kean and more bookings. The ref took 5 Rovers names so his pencil must have been pretty blunt by the end. 

The Cup tie at Watford

How Danny Murphy, once of Liverpool, remained on the pitch is a bit of mystery. He fouled persistently and was eventually booked for a nasty tackle on Bridcutt for which he was lucky not to see red. He celebrated by fouling LuaLua not long after but without further punishment.

Albion strove for a winner to the last with LuaLua driving inches wide just before the end. 

The victory Albion's play deserved just would not come. 

So the Seagulls were frustrated by a visiting team yet again with a familiar game plan. If they keep playing this way and assuming Vicente can hold his fitness and form surely the play off push can be maintained.

MAGIC MOMENT: a mazy dribble by Vicente into the penalty area past several defenders and then used his strength to find space to get a shot away.

REF WATCH: not firm enough on the time wasting and pretty easy going with Murphy give that he booked LuaLua for his first some what innocuous foul. He only allowed 3 added minutes for Hoskins' injury which was totally bizzarre. He needs a new watch.

MY PERSONAL ALTERNATIVE MAN OF THE MATCH: Dean Hammond - not quite at the races last Saturday but this was probably his best performance back in an Albion shirt. Unlucky not to score and kept the ball moving.

 

A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

"Now set the teeth, and stretch the nostril wide"

Football League Championship

9th February 2013

Brighton and Hove Albion (0) 1
Vicente 83

Hull City (0) 0

Attedance: 25,367

Are the Seagulls now poised for an end of season run to the play offs? Well if we go by last evening's performance at the Amex they have every chance. The Albion deservedly won a tightly fought game against a hard working but limited Hull side separated by a bit of Spanish flair.

In the 83rd minute Orlandi won a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area when he was barged over. Up stepped Vicente. All 10 visiting out fielders lined up in front of him. The whistle blew and the wall jumped to block Vicente's shot but instead the ball shot along the ground and into the back of the net off an unsighted Stockdale. Did Vicente mean it? Well who cares and I doubt if he did as he galloped in joy towards the corner flag pursued by gleeful Albion players.

Hull's game plan was obvious from the outset and followed the pattern of previous promotion aspirants visiting the Amex. In the first half Hull defended in depth with Manager Bruce conducting defensive operations from the technical area. They showed little intent going forward. Suddenly in the second half they showed more and opened up the game and could have been ahead but for Kuszczak's acrobatics.  They worked the ball wide and launched it towards the far post but more often than not it ended up in the goalkeeper's arms. Bruce's frustration grew. 

Although in terms of chances Hull shaded the second half they were fortunate to be level after 45 minutes thanks to a tale of 3 penalties that were not and 2 fine saves from Stockdale.

Early on Orlandi glided through the Hull defence into the penalty area and went down. The ref waved play on. If it was not a penalty why was not Orlandi booked for diving? A few minutes later Orlandi found himself on the right and drove into the penalty area and over an outstretched foot but again no penalty. The third one looked the best shout. A fine turn and run by Ulloa took him past several lunging defenders and he eventually went down in the area but the ref was of the view the offence took place right on the line.

From the resulting free kick Orlandi hit a fierce swinging free kick goalwards which Stockdale managed to turn over the bar. Shortly before he had beaten away a tremendous drive from David Lopez. 

A fine move down the centre opened up the Hull defence but with Ulloa to his right and the goal in front of him CMS got caught in to 2 minds and shanked the ball goalwards.

Into the second half and Orlandi's South Stand goal jinx continues. A fine move down the left opened up the Hull defence and the ball rebounded to Orlandi in acres of space on the edge of the penalty area with the goal gapping before him. He miss-hit his drive over the cross bar and buried his head in his shirt. Haven't we seen him do that in front of the South Stand before?

The Albion were nearly made to pay for the missed chances but Kuszczak pulled off 3 great saves that should win him a place in the Polish national side.  A deflected shot seemed to be flying in over his head but he got up in the corner to tip the ball wide, he turned a powerful swinging drive over the bar and saved the best to last. Hull appeared to have taken the lead when Koren drove the ball through a tangle of legs towards the inviting open space on Kuszczak's right. When suddenly the goalie went down and flipped the ball around the post. Steve Bruce nearly exploded with frustration.

He really had no complaints as the Albion took control in the final quarter with the arrival of Vicente. Hull were workmanlike, well organised and had a "snatch a goal and defend" plan but the Seagulls had a touch of Spanish flair. In the end flair won the day.

So Tuesday's game in hand against Blackburn takes on great significance.  They are another well organised physical team. Will Spanish flair triumph again?

Gus has a couple of selection dilemmas beforehand.  While Ulloa was a thorn in the side of the Hull defence CMS had, by his standards, a poor game. I suspect Gus has given him the 3 games that Barnes is away to cement a place alongside Ulloa playing that central striker/wide right role. He has not scored for 11 games and some might suggest the ever willing Hoskins should be given a chance.

The other selection issue is Hammond. He again did not appear quite at the races last evening and rarely plays 2 games in a week anyway. Given that Crofts is out of favour will Dicker return or will Gus go for broke from the outset and play Vincente in midfield with only one defensive midfielder plus Orlandi and David Lopez?

Additional seats in the noth east corner nearly ready

A quick word of praise for David Lopez who played in 3 positions in the game and put in the usual full shift. He started on the right side of midfield and then went to right back when Buckley came on for Bruno followed by a further move to central midfield when Calderon came on for CMS to secure the win in the last few minutes.

Magic Moment: A wonderfully weighted pass inside the full back from Vicente to send Bridge clear for a centre. The  ball moved on to Ulloa and the movement petered out. It deserved a better fate.

Ref Watch: Oh dear! The FA should really remind officials they should quietly get on with their duties and not seek to be the centre of attention. Well into the second half Bridcutt asked to go off to have a cut seen to. He was patched up and a new shirt (numberless) planted on him but the hapless Mr. Attwell would not let him back on for no apparent reason.  Even Steve Bruce was pleading for him to be allowed to return. He also gave Gus a talking to for only wanting Hulll to take a throw in from the right place. It was something of an overreaction by the official.

My Personal Alternative Man of the Match: It surely has to be Tomasz Kuszczak. After a quite first half he pulled off three fine saves in the second, the last of which was quite breath taking. When Hull resorted to hoof ball to the far post he came and claimed the centres. A welcome return to form by the Pole in the goal.

A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

"All things are ready, if our minds be so"

26th January 2013

FA Cup 4th Round

Brighton and Hove Albion (1) 2
Barnes 33
Ulloa 62

Arsenal (1) 3
Giroud 16 and 56
Walcott 85

Attendance: 27,113 (an Amex record)

This was the much anticipated clash between the genuine Arsenal of the Premiership and the wannabe Gunners of the Championship. Although Arsenal edged the match it was to the Albion's great credit that several of their players would not have looked out of place in the Arsenal side - Liam Bridcutt foremost among them.

A packed North Stand for the Amex's record attendance

It was also to Albion's credit that Wenger was forced to bring on the big guns of Walcott and Wilshere to avoid the extra unwanted game of a replay. I feel sure he would have wished to have held them back for greater battles ahead in Europe. 

The fates conspired against the Albion somewhat with hamstring injuries forcing off Greer and Buckley which le,d to rearrangements in formations plus at times it appeared Arsenal had brought their own referee with them as he gave a  number of favourable decisions to players that he is familiar with and spent a lot of the game chatting to. How Santos remained out of the book for his comic combination of fouls on Buckley and play acting only Mr. Oliver knows. He was not so generous to Davd Lopez and Barnes who were both booked for their first fouls of the game. 

The Albion were at their best in the first half with Hammond, Bridcutt and Davd Lopez winning the midfield battle and Buckley, Calderon and David Lopez giving Santos a torrid time down Arsenal left. It was no surprise that both Albion goals came from this source.

Indeed the Albion could have been ahead before Arsenal opened their account. After a confident start, a Buckley centre was knocked in from close range by Ulloa only to be ruled out for offside. Shortly after Barnes could not get a proper connection on a Ulloa flick which allowed Szczesny to turn the ball away for a corner. 

The corner was easily dealt with and within moments the ball was in the back of the Albion net - the first piece of Premiership class from the Gunners. A pass from the otherwise very quiet Podolski found its way to the seemingly surrounded Giroud but with the minimum of back lift he thumped the ball beyond Ankergren from 20 yards.

Fears that Arsenal would now take control were quickly dispelled as the Albion fought back and an equaliser arrived in quite an unusual manner for the home team. A centre from David Lopez on the right was met in the box by Barnes who had managed to get in front of the Arsenal centre backs and goalkeeper to head the ball powerfully into the back of the net.

4,000 Arsenal fans biting their nails

So the first of 2 football cliches on the day had been found to be true. Ulloa was bought to play alongside Mackail-Smith and not replace him so Barnes must be the one earmarked to miss out - so he scores. 

The second half opened with Podolski hitting the bar with a free kick from 20 yards before Arsenal regained the lead. A Diaby pass found Giroud free in the penalty area and his strength shrugged off a challenge from El-Abd as hit the ball powerfully beyond Ankergren.

The second football cliche came to pass in the 62nd minute - expensive strikers score on their debut (unless you are Torres of course). Again a goal very untypical of the Seagulls. A pacy run down the wing from Barnes followed by a sumptuous low swinging centre which Ulloa stooped low to head in.

The replay the Albion and their enthusiastic supporters fully deserved was denied them in the 85th minute by a combination of a goalkeeping error and a deflected shot with an element of fortune.

Ankergren chose to punch away a Wilshere corner but could only find Walcott lurking in his "Sweden" position on the edge of the penalty area. His powerful shot took a big deflection off El-Abd and flew wide of Ankergen. Not for the first time this season the Albion became victims of a deflection.

CMS came on for the tiring Ulloa and a fine centre from LuaLua flew between him and Barnes when a mere touch might have sent the ball into the back of the net.

At end the Albion players must have had a feeling of joy over how well they had played and disappointed not have got the replay they deserved. 

Wenger in his lizard outfit

Ulloa grew into the game on debut and, although he has yet to face the more agricultural defending of the Championship, very much looked the part. His early contributions were adding much needed height when defending set pieces as twice he headed away corners. He held the ball up well, had the usual Latin touch with the ball at his feet and took his goal really well. When was the last time the Albion scored twice in a game from headers?

So are things ready for a push on the Championship play off places? Is Ulloa the missing piece in the jigsaw and will the Albion now be able to score that extra goal they always appear to need to put a game to bed?

Gus is clearly spoilt for choice in midfield and up front but at the back things look a little threadbare. If Greer is going to be out for some weeks with a hamstring injury and with Dunk otherwise occupied the Albion might be vulnerable to the Championship's lump it tendency.  Perhaps before Thursday defensive reinforcements will arrive.

And finally it would not surprise me if Ryan Harley does not have a wry smile on his face. There is no place for him in the Seagulls nest but yesterday he scored one of the goals in MK Dons' fantastic win at QPR and marches proudly into the 5th round.

Moment of the match: A cheeky back heel from Ulloa which completely wrong footed the Arsenal defence.

My personal alternative man of the match: El-Abd got the stadium award but given that his place is under threat my award goes to Ashley Barnes. He took his goal well and set up the second. He was Mr. Everywhere Man - upfront as a striker, helping out in defence and sprinting down the wing. So if Ulloa has been signed to play alongside CMS who misses out?

A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

"For now sits expectation in the air"

12th January 2013

Football League Championship

Brighton and Hove Albion (2) 2
Barnes 2
Orlandi 25

Derby County (0) 1
Hendrick 70

In many ways this game summed up the first part of Albion's season. We totally dominated the first half and at times our play was exquisite. The team crafted two outstanding goals that were clinically finished. In the first 20 minutes of the second we created more opportunities to score than in the whole of the first and failed to convert. Derby scrambled a goal which led to a nervy last 15 minutes as Albion held on in a game in which they should have been 3 or 4 goals clear. 

Let's play "The Spot Vicente" game

The first half was played in appalling conditions as the rain poured down and the cold wind from the east blew. I just hope somebody assured the prospective striker sitting in the Director's Box that the weather in Sussex is usually better than this!

The Seagulls got off to a dream start with a goal after just 2 minutes made in Spain and finished in England. Calderon and David Lopez created space for a centre from the right which Barnes swept in from close range for his first Amex goal since September. The Albion then played the ball around with supreme confidence with Derby hardly able to get a touch until the 25th  minute when the second richly deserved goal arrived. This time it was made and finished in Spain. Again Calderon and David Lopez combined down the right and from the centre Orlandi got in front on his marker to power a header into the roof of the net. 

Orlandi clearly likes the south end goal as that is his third strike and second goal in two games.

The Albion started the second half with clear intent to add more goals but the old bugbear of failing to finish returned. Derby pressed up and often just played three at the back playing into Albion's hands on the break.

Chances came and went with Buckley, Barnes, Calderon and Orlandi missing opportunities to bury the visitors. Buckley got away down the left but with only Legzdins to beat drove the ball into the goalie's legs. He got away again in similar circumstances and played the ball across to  Barnes but a defender deflected it away for a corner. Barnes got completely clear of the defence but instead of laying the ball off, turned into the mass of retreating Derby defenders, was bundled off the ball and beat the turf with frustration. Orlandi found Calderon in space from a well struck corner but the defender did not connect properly and the ball flew over the bar. The best opportunity fell to Orlandi who saw Legzdins pulll off a fine save from close range, the rebound fell to him and he tapped the ball towards the welcoming goal line only to see Keogh come from nowhere to sweep the ball away.

With the Albion failing to finish Derby off with a third the visitors saw a chance to get back into the game and a goal duly arrived in the 70th minute when from a Ward free kick struck low into the penalty area Hendrick deflected the ball home. Derby then huffed and puffed with the able assistance of a referee who gave them plenty of dubious free kicks but the nearest they came to scoring was when a deflected header from El-Abd was grabbed under the bar by the ever reassuring Kuszcak.

The Albion hung on comfortably enough for 4 added minutes which grew into 6 for reasons only known to the ref.

A side show at the game was the hapless performance by the officials. Mr. Williamson seemed to be convinced that the Albion were a team of divers while at the same time chopping Derby players down all over the pitch. The free kick from which Derby scored looked dubious but the best comic capers came just after when Orlandi gave away a very soft free kick out on Derby's right wing. It hardly warranted the description foul although technically it was. The linesman waved his flag as if he had just witnessed a mugging and Mr. W sprinted over and booked Orlandi. For this the ref was treated to deserved rousing chorus of "you don't know what you're doing!"

However, LuaLua was clearly balked when going clear but the ref waved away protests.

Mr. W was very excitable, stopped play when he should not and allowed it to run when he should have stopped it. He gave free kicks that were not and ignored incidents that were. He constantly told players to take throw ins from the right spot but they just ignored him and encroached up the field. Some players knew he was weak and tried to take full advantage.

The Mrs. meets Sally Gully

The fourth official could only see the need for 4 added minutes after 45 minutes play. In those 4 the ref found the need to add 2 more. Bridge was booked in the 6th added minute. Some fans saw a parallel with the Bolton game with a ref applying the "play until the visitors score" rule. 

In the end it turned out all right for the Albion and expectation of a play off place is clearly back on. This was our first home win this season against a top 10 team. We created plenty of chances in open play with David Lopez's passing skills behind many of the better moves. The prospect of Ulloa arriving from Spain to add some cutting edge to the attack and Vicente on the bench bodes well for the coming months.

MY PERSONAL ALTERNATIVE MAN OF THE MATCH: Ashley Barnes. Ash gets this for his display over the first hour in the lone striker role. Scoring so early on clearly gave him confidence and he brought the ball down well and played colleagues into space. He survived quite a battering from the Derby defence and gave as good as he got. He was unlucky not to add a second early in the second half. 

 






 

A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

"This story shall the good man teach his son;"



5th January 2013
FA Cup - 3rd Round

Brighton and Hove Albion (1) 2
Orlandi 33
Hoskins 87

Newcastle United (0) 0

Attendance: 21,740

The gentle classical music from the alarm clock drifted across the room. It was 7.30am and still dark. Why was the alarm sounding on a Saturday morning? In a haze I recalled it was a 12.30pm kick off at the Amex and a 2 hour motorway drive lay ahead. Fleetingly I thought "why not stay here and enjoy the game on the telly in comfort and warmth?"

Smile please

Boy! Am I glad I resisted that temptation. I have followed the Albion for over 54 years and yesterday's performance at the Amex I would place in the top 6. It ranked alongside those famous 1980's Cup victories over Liverpool and the brave display against Spurs, again in the Cup, a few years ago.

Make no mistake this was Gus play at its grandest. The 63% possession figure does not lie as Hammond, Bridcutt and Dicker gained an early dominance of midfield which they never relinquished. This released the creative skills of Bridge, David and Orlandi in wide areas. 

With the media's obssession with the Premiership it was envitable the national press and TV would mostly focus on Alan Pardew's plight. Yes, the Toon had lost Ba in acrimonious circumstances and other key players through injury but a Prem team should have enough depth to see off a midtable Championship side that has only won 4 of its last 18 games and failed to win at home on a Saturday for nearly 4 months. This was Newcastle's last chance for a bit of glory this season through a run in the FA Cup but all the Tyneside fans have to look forward to now is a struggle against relegation. The ever cruel world of soccer treated Pardew to a rendition of "You Are Getting Sacked in the Morning" sang tunefullly by the North Stand Choir in full voice.

My Grandson in Canada already for the game at 7.30am

The Seagulls could have taken the lead before they actually did. Hammond drove over early on from the edge of penalty area and a long cross from the right found Dicker's head and his looped attempt was cleared off the line by Perch. David almost fooled Elliot when he drove the ball goalwards when a centre was expected forcing the goalkeeper into a hasty save. 

Then in the 33rd minute Greer drove a long high pass towards Bridge wide on the left. Bridge had much to do as he had to use all his pace and skill to stop the ball going out for a goal kick. He controlled the ball deep in the corner and sent a cross over towards Orlandi who had moved towards the centre of the goal as Greer's pass came over. Orlandi, with his back to the goal, controlled the ball with his right foot and with the outside of his left flicked the ball wide of Elliot into the goal. It was a goal of great skill and momentarily stunned the Amex into silence. A passing movement between a Scotsman, an Englishman and a Spaniard supervised by a Uruguayan and finished in sublime manner had "Made by the Modern Brighton and Hove Albion" stamped all over it.  

Newcastle threatened little in the first half and most of their possession in Brighton's half came on the few occasions the midfield over elaborated and gave the ball away.  Ankergren palmed away one stinging drive but otherwise was rarely troubled.

The second half followed the pattern of the first with Newcastle ringing the changes but to little effect. Ameobi committed 2 silly fouls and found himself in the early bath. In fact the Toon's best period came just after Ameobi tramped off. Ankergren treated to us to one of his trademark flaps at a cross but made amends when a shot from the remaining Ameobi came off Greer's knee and appeared to be heading goalwards until Casper put out a big left hand and diverted fhe ball away.

Unlike Newcastle's the Albion's substitutions did have an impact on the game. LuaLua came on for Orlandi and reminded the visitors of what they had lost when he drove a shot just wide of Elliot's right hand post. Crofts came on for Hammond and immediately won three crunching tackles in midfield in quick succession. Hoskins came on for CMS and in the 87th minute was played into space by an exquisite pass from David which Hoskins gleefully drove through the goalie's legs into the back of the net. 

For Hoskins there was extra joy in the crowd's applause. It was his first goal for the Albion since their visit to Cardiff in August of last season. Let's hope the striker has now found his range and this will be the first of many goals for the Seagulls.

The sponsor's man of the match was Wayne Bridge. In truth the Albion had 14 men of the match. Nobody let the side down and everybody put in a shift. The game plan worked to perfection and Newcastle had no answer and little appetite.  The Albion played with control and pace. The ball was moved around the pitch quickly and the side was driven forward by the energetic midfield trio. David, Bridge and Orlandi were outstanding in the wide areas and space created by the midfield. 

Hoskins and Dicker take the applause at the end

Will the return to form and fitness of key players and possible return to the squad of Vicente plus the striker from Spain be a launching pad for a second half of the season push for the play offs? Only time will tell but the tea leaves look good.

The coaches from Newcastle left at 2am and the train at 4.45am. Can you imagine what a long miserable day it must have been for the visitor's supporters? That is at least the fourth time the Albion have knocked Newcastle out of the Cup - they must hope they never draw the Albion again. 

 MY PERSONAL ALTERNATIVE MAN OF THE MATCH: It must again go the David Lopez. Our penalty king was again asked to play out of position with Bruno and Calderon injured. He never looked out of place in the  back four and he rarely wasted a ball. He has great ability to find colleagues with passes - no big boot down the field for him. His pass for Hoskins' goal was sheer delight. When they are all fit how will Gus deploy his Spanish delights in the team? 

 

A VIEW FROM WEST STAND LOWER

"But that the scrambling and unquiet time"

Brighton and Hove Albion (0) 1
Lopez (pen) 65

Watford (0) 3
Deeney 54
Vydra 68 and 69  

Attendance: 26,727


Just as the Albion appeared to be pulling themselves back in the game a cruel deflection took it away again and eventually they were well beaten by a fine Watford side.

An excited Albion gnome checks out the weather on the motorway

If ever Gus Poyet or Tony Bloom needed a lesson on how to put an effective team together on limited resources then visiting manager Gianfranco Zola provided it last night at the Amex. Watford enjoy few of the advantages available to the Albion in terms of support and stadium facilities but without spending vast fortunes appear to have  put together a team that may well take them to promotion this season. Watford were possibly the best team to visit the Amex this season but were helped  by a pretty inept performance by the home side.

Gus appeared to have fielded the wrong side in 2 successive home games. Bruno, Orlandi and Crofts did not look fit and whatever David Lopez's best position is it is not wide on the right. He spent most of the first half either falling over or giving the ball away. It was a pity after such a commanding performance against Millwall. He redeemed himself somewhat with a finely struck penalty on 65 minutes.

Gus's game plan is clearly score early; put the emphasis on the other team to change their tactics; take control then pick them off. This works if you can score but the familiar scourge of missing takeable chances returned. This time it was Andrew Crofts' turn to hang his head in embarrassment as, after fine work down the left by LuaLua, he failed to find the target from 12 yards and instead mishit the ball over the bar when unmarked.

LuaLua, who had an outstanding first half, stung Almunia hands with a fierce drive and Orlandi hit a 25 yard free kick just the wrong side of the post. The Albion were unfortunate when after more fine work down the left a defender deflected the ball away for a corner with Lopez waiting to tap the ball in.

If only we could pass like this in the game!

However, as half time approached Watford came more into the game. A full back got clear in the penalty area only to head the corner over the bar. Kuszczak saved well diving to his left and Vydra missed a simple header from close range.

The Albion could not contain Watford's speed on the breakaway or break up their close control in midfield. From a pretty soft free kick in their own penalty area Watford broke quickly and after some fine interpassing Deeney drove the ball past Kuszczak after 54 minutes.

The Albion pressed for an equaliser without creating much until the 65th minute when LuaLua's pressure following a pass back won him a penalty after he was unended. At least the penalty gips are behind us Lopez (as long as he is on the field) gave Almunia no chance from the spot. 

The joy was short lived as 3 minutes later a Vydra shot took a wicked deflection off El-Abd and gently looped over the helpless Kuszczak. It got worse. Within minutes Vydra outpaced a cumbersome Albion defence from the half way line, went clear and steered the ball past an exposed keeper. 

The Seagulls were just unable to find a way back into the game even though they had plenty of time. They simply had no plan B!. There was lots of passing across the field but as soon as they pressed forward they lost possession in the usual tangle of legs on the edge of the penalty area. The aimless passing around just gave Watford time to bring everybody behind the ball which then became the set up to hit us on the break.

The players appeared to be expecting somebody else to provide the spark and drive that might put Waford under pressure. After the game my wife and I tried to find words to describe what we had seen and the best we came up with were "languid" and "pedestrian".

From my seat in the West Stand I felt the Watford defence could be fragile if it were put under pressure - after all they had lost their main central defender, Fitz Hall, to injury in the first time. But the Albion's slow build up mitigated against that. Personally I felt we needed the drive and pace that Hoskins and Calderon could have provided and indeed Hoskins did show one or two nice touches but was not on long enough to make a real impact. 

Sometimes it is better to watch the Moon rise over the Amex

Despite all the second half possession the Albion created little. Apart from the penalty I recall a header by El-Abd and a shot by Hoskins. 

Before the game all the talk was about the striker Gus wants to bring in to ignite a play off push. This game was a reality check big time. Even Van Persie would have struggled with the poor service the Albion provided yesterday up front. 

4 homes wins in 13 games is more like relegation form and indeed following 4 successive victories in September the the Albion have only won 3 times 17 games.

My fear is that other Championship teams have worked us out. They load the side of field our one winger plays on (LuaLua often faced 3 defenders yesterday) and push up on Bridcutt to block the outlet ball from the back.

If the season is not to descend into the quiet back waters of the lower reaches of the Championship it is not just a change of personnel the Albion need now that the transfer window is just about to open but more flexible tactics.

Given that the Nottingham Forest manager was sacked after winning 4-2 and sitting handily for the play offs I wonder how Gus felt this morning?

MY PERSONAL ALTERNATIVE MAN OF THE MATCH: Kazanga LuaLua LIAN BRIDCUTT quite rightly received the Stadium award. He looked the only player capable of changing the course of this game and applied himself in a way that was an example to some of his colleagues. However, until the general malaise that over took most of the team reached him in the last quarter LuaLua was a constant thorn in the visitors side. One, if not 2 of his fine crosses in the first half, should have been converted and it was his persistence that won the penalty.