What a Team We Have, This is Dreamland - Notes for Brighton Monday, 13th Feb 2017 11:30 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Tuesday night’s game at the Amex Stadium by delving into their forums. “So, are we all feeling a little better this afternoon? I know that I am”, “Hopefully that’s our mini-dip over”, “The wobble which we all knew would happen eventually arrived. Luckily this happened when we had a nice cushion over third place”, “The belief is back and calmness has been restored now.” “A good confidence booster for Ipswich on Tuesday.” Brighton’s 4-1 win at home to Burton on Saturday brought an end of a three-game winless run which coincided with the absence of several key players. Many feared that this might echo the dip in form which cost them promotion last year. “Huddersfield are on fire.” Brighton sit second in the table, six points clear of the third-placed Terriers. Fans are taking nothing for granted and many see David Wagner’s team as the biggest threat to their promotion run. “With the form they are in, you just can’t see them dropping any points.” “Much as I would like it to be, this is not over”, “I refuse to contemplate finishing in the top two. We are Brighton, we don’t do straightforward”, “It could very well go down to the wire yet again this season. I hope not. My nerves are still shot to pieces after going through last year’s dramatic finale.” Chris Hughton“Hughton is trying to patch up the team because so many key players are either injured or are not properly match fit. He’s trying to plug holes at a time when there are a lot of games but he hasn’t got the players. Hence the current inevitable slump”, “We are really lucky to have him at the club.”  The 58-year-old has been praised for his tactical judgement and for getting the best out of his squad in a successful campaign which included a 5-0 thrashing of his former club Norwich. “He’s a very good manager and has needed all his strength and ability to navigate us through this tough spell.” “Chris knows how to adjust his tactics depending on the opposition and the absence of important players”, “He is working well with what he has been given this season”, “He hasn’t done that badly so far in his time here”, “I honestly don’t think anyone could have done a better job that this fellow.” “I love Hughton’s complete honesty and integrity”, “He’s impossible not to like. I’m not sure I have ever some across someone so dignified. He’s a remarkable fellow”, “The fact is that we have one of the best managers in the business. He has surpassed all expectations and is doing a miraculous job.” Formation“I love our 4-4-2 but it cannot work against everyone. There is no harm in playing just one up front and three in the middle to bring the wingers into play”, “It worries me that we persist with 4-4-2 whatever the weather. If we get promoted I’m sure Hughton will be more flexible with his tactics.” StockdaleBrunoDuffyDunkPocognoliKnockaertStephensSidwellMarchBaldockHemed
“Good side that, it feels like we are back to full strength.” Seagulls were happy to see a starting XI (above) on Saturday which had midfielder Dale Stephens and striker Sam Baldock restored after both were out injured for several weeks. Centre-back Lewis Dunk returned to the side after suspension. “There is quality all over our squad”, “A side of extraordinary talent.” Chris Hughton has preferred working with a 4-4-2 system in his time at the Amex. Many Seagulls believe the calibre of what is a small playing squad has been as fundamental to the side’s success as any system he has used. Albion’s defence has the joint-second best record in the division, much of which is credited to the consistency of keeper David Stockdale, the physicality of Shane Duffy and footballing ability of Lewis Dunk in the centre. Bruno offers more of an attacking outlet than Sebastien Pocognoli out wide. “We have been awful in midfield recently.” Many linked the side’s recent slump and especially their 3-1 defeat last Thursday week at Huddersfield to the absence of Dale Stephens. The Terriers’ Aaron Mooy “was running rings around our midfield”, “A horrid night, we missed Stephens massively.” Right winger Anthony Knockaert has been the source of a large number of Albion assists, but Solly March has overcome a series of injuries to hit a rich vein of form. Tomer Hemed and Glenn Murray are strong line-leading forwards, while Sam Baldock’s movement importantly adds variety up front. StockdaleBrunoDuffyDunkPocognoliKnockaertKayalNorwoodMurphyMurrayHemed
The team which lost at Huddersfield (above) was exposed by the Terriers’ pressing game. Beram Kayal was not match fit and he and Oliver Norwood were unable to control possession or dictate the tempo in central midfield. Murray and Hemed failed to drop back and support the central pairing. The wingers were starved of possession and became peripheral. Stockdale’s distribution suffered as he was unable to play the ball out to his back four or his wide players. Frustrations grew and Lewis Dunk was dismissed for a second yellow card. “It summed up what was a poor, poor performance.” Brighton 4 — 1 Burton“Well that was enjoyable. I love a Saturday afternoon game”, “Burton were there for a whipping but we didn’t push home our advantage. We were far too pedestrian at times, particularly in a first half when it seems the game was being played at walking pace. We need far more urgency in our game.” “Hardly a classic, is it? It feels like Burton are happy to take a narrow loss and Brighton are happy not having to put a shift in.” Brighton opened the scoring on 12 minutes when Hemed connected with a good Knockaert cross. Many became frustrated as their side seemed to cruise to the half-time break. Baldock doubled Albion’s lead on 47 and Hemed added a second from the penalty spot 10 minutes later after Solly March had been fouled. Michael Kightly pulled a goal back for Burton with a fine freekick on 75 before substitute Glenn Murray headed Brighton’s fourth seven minutes from time. “It’s great that three different strikers score in a game. It shows we’re not over-reliant on one player to score the goals”, “I overheard a Burton fan on the bus talking about their team budget and crowd sizes. I’m not being patronising but they are doing brilliantly to be even competitive in this division.” Brentford 3 — 3 Brighton“Oh, my Christ, losing that would have been a killer”, “Thank God that’s over. I couldn’t take much more”, “That could be the point that takes us up”, “You hate football one minute and love it the next”, “Albion are not very good for your health, fact”, “Will somebody fetch me my sedatives.” Brentford went into the half-time break with a 2-0 advantage courtesy of goals by Jota on 15 and a header by Harlee Dean seven minutes later. Stockdale saved a Lass Vibe penalty before substitute Solly March blasted home on 75 and Shane Duffy headed the visitors level three minutes later. Konstantin Kerschbaumer seemed to have won the game for the Bees four minutes into stoppage time but Hemed headed a dramatic 97th minute leveller for Brighton. Although it only salvaged a point, many Seagulls saw their side’s recovery as a huge milestone in the context of their campaign. “That’s the turning point of the season. To come back showed unbelievable spirit”, “It was nice to get a point but they showed real character. That’s what we need”, “I hope future games are built on slickness and confidence rather than pure heroics”, “We do make it hard for ourselves at times.” StockdaleBrunoDuffyHunemeierPocognoliKnockaertSidwellNorwoodSkalakMurphyMurray
“This is what happens when you have the central backbone of your team ripped out.” The line-up (above) missing Dunk, Stephens and Baldock was dominated by the Bees. Stockdale’s penalty save and the introduction of Solly March were widely highlighted as the two turning points in the game. Huddersfield 3 — 1 Brighton“Thank God that’s over”, “I am struggling to say anything positive about that game. We were second best all over the park”, “We were completely outclassed tonight. Huddersfield had sussed us from the kick-off”, “There was no intensity, passing abysmal and too many mistakes all over the park.” Tommy Smith opened the scoring for the Terriers with an angled shot on nine minutes but Hemed drew Albion level rounding the keeper 11 minutes later. Nahki Wells fired into the top corner on 36 to re-establish Huddersfield’s lead and Elias Kachunga headed in a third in first half stoppage time. “Hughton, we have a problem”, “Chris looks furious”, “We need to calm this down. Huddersfield are bloody dangerous.” Half-time discussions focused on damage limitation. “We deserve to be 5-0 down.” There were no further goals but a frustrated Dunk departed on 67 after lunging for the ball. “Easily the worst midfield display I have seen from us in the last few years”, “We tried to be flash when we needed a bit of steel.” Dale Stephens was keenly missed. “Huddersfield’s game depends on dominating central midfield. We lost this hands down and were on the back foot from the start.” Goalkeepers and Defenders“Thank the Lord for David Stockdale.” The 31-year-old ex-Fulham and one-time Town loan signing “is the best goalkeeper I have seen play for us”, “His distribution, shot-stopping, commanding his area, communicating with defenders and penalty record are terrific”, “His character stand out for me.”  Stockdale is beaten but goal is ruled offside“Stockdale often has little to do but stays focused”, “That penalty save at Brentford could prove to be a massive moment in our season”, “What a hero”, “Our player of the season, to be honest”, “His distribution suffered at Huddersfield because there were often so few options available for him.” “Bruno is galloping down the right like Nijinsky this afternoon”, “The horse or the ballet dancer?” The 36-year-old ex-Valencia right-back “is getting back to his best, but I do worry a tad about his pace”, “I love him for what he has done for us over the years but his legs have gone these days.” “A slow start again from Bruno which is a worry”, “He has made a few dreadful starts before kicking on in games”, “He has flair, but we all know about that. He does combine well with Knockaert when we are on top”, “He is vulnerable defensively and doesn’t stay close to the opposition left winger.” “Sebastien Pocognoli continues to look solid, he is excellent defensively.” The 29-year-old left-back is on a season-long loan from West Brom. “He is decent at the back but isn’t always able to bomb on”, “He is composed on the ball but I’m not sure he offers the power and strength of Gaetan Bong.”  Cardiff City's Kadeem Harris v Sebastien Pocognoli“Pocognoli struggled with Brentford’s overlapping full-back but showed good character in helping to get us back into the game”, “He has put in some decent defensive displays”, “The improvement in the second half against Burton was massive when he and Solly March found the same wavelength.” With Connor Goldson absent for the season with a heart condition, 31-year-old former Paderborn man Uwe Hunemeier is the current back-up centre-half. “Uwe needs game time. He is not exactly match-ready, diving in to concede the penalty at Brentford and played suicide passes to midfield.” “Shane Duffy wins everything in the air.” The 25-year-old summer addition from Blackburn “was a real attacking threat in the last 15-minute onslaught at Brentford and headed home a terrific goal”, “He is vulnerable when nippy forwards play one-twos around him but he is pretty dependable.” “Duffy is lost without Dunk”, “He was shaky and lacked composure at times without him at Griffin Park, but he was solid in the air, especially for his goal”, “He saved us from humiliation with some great last-ditch defensive work at Huddersfield to stop them creating even more clear-cut chances.” Lewis Dunk“It is Dunk versus Huddersfield at times. He is a machine.” The 25-year-old youth product “works well with Duffy as his is more mobile and his distribution is outstanding”, “A solid defender, he looks to break out of defence when he can with the ball and create a platform for our attacking moves.”  “As much I love Dunk’s passion, he really needs to be sensible and cut out the silly bookings”, “He needs to keep his head in difficult situations”, “His red card at Huddersfield was for a stupid lunge, the red mist descending for the third time in two seasons. It prevents him from being a top player.” Central Midfielders“Why did we sign Oliver Norwood when he clearly is not suited to 4-4-2?” The 25-year-old August arrival from Reading “continually puts us under pressure with his poor passes”, “Despite having a good range of passing, he basically can’t tackle and has hardly won a 50/50 tackle since arriving.”  Oliver Norwood playing for former club Reading against Jonathan Kodjia“Norwood gives the ball away in dangerous situations in every game, a complete and utter liability who is always poor”, “He feels like the obvious weak link in the side”, “He is slow and games pass him by”, “A boy in a man’s game, I don’t know what he does”, “Please don’t start with Norwood.” “Beram Kayal is not at the races.” The 28-year-old Israel international and former Celtic man has been building match-fitness after being out for several months with an ankle injury. “A lack of game time means he is miles off the midfield gladiator we saw last season”, “He’s not yet up to speed.” “Burton was the perfect game for Kayal to get some minutes”, “He didn’t look a patch on Stephens, giving the ball away and make some unnecessary fouls. We know how good he can be so he’s worth the wait”, “He’s way off his best, but he will come good at the most important stage of the season.” “Steve Sidwell gives us organisation and stops opponents passing through our midfield.” The 34-year-old ex-Stoke man “gives us a bit of bite when we need it and uses his experience throughout the game, a great player”, “He’s so assured and clean in the tackle and distributes the ball well.” “Sidwell dominated the midfield and kept us on the front foot against Burton”, “You have got to love him, he’s all heart and commitment”, “His anticipation and breaking up play and commitment are sensational”, “It makes the decision to start Norwood ahead of him recently all the more baffling.” Dale Stephens“Without Stephens, we are like a yacht without a sail.” The 27-year-old ex-Charlton man returned against the Brewers having missed the previous three games with a calf injury. “He’s exactly the kind of player to break up attacks”, “We are bullied in midfield without him”, “No Stephens, no midfield.” “We are so much better when Stephens plays. He makes us tick”, “He’s a player that almost covers two positions. He’s absolutely vital”, “He takes games by the scruff of the neck and makes us play”, “He makes 10 yards of space after doing one little turn with a man on his back, time and time again.” Wide Midfielders“Jiri Skalak gets a lot of stick but he can deliver a mean dead ball.” The 24-year-old ex-Mlada Boleslav left winger “can hit the odd freekick but he can’t defend and doesn’t bother tracking back”, “He’s not the winger or attacking player we thought he would be, but plays some good balls and set pieces.”  Jiri Skalak “I can understand Skalak’s selection but he hasn’t done much this season”, “He works hard, is neat and can put in a glorious cross but he’s not quick enough”, “He had a disappointing first 45 minutes against a very attack-minded Brentford right-back”, “He simply doesn’t help the defence enough.” “Is Jamie Murphy up to it? I have been wondering this all season.” The 27-year-old former Blade “is arguably the quickest player in the team”, “He has a few nice turns and is quite creative but he does little going forward”, “He tracks back but he doesn’t get stuck into his opponent when he does.” “I was stunned to see Murphy selected at Brentford to play off the striker. He had good moments but was imprecise with his finishing. He looked like he could break their back line”, “He has to show more confidence getting down the line”, “He seems to have no bottle to use the skill he clearly has.” “Solly March gave Burton nightmares in the second half, he was unplayable for 25 minutes.” The 22-year-old youth product “started quietly but his second 45 minutes was a tour de force of football”, “There is the most effortless poise about him as he glides past players. He is very special indeed.” “March seems to know when to take on the opposition, when to pass, shoot or attack the line”, “He changed the Brentford game. When he connects with a ball, there is not much a keeper can do. His pace and balance are something to behold”, “It looks as if it is in slow motion as it is so controlled.” Anthony Knockaert“Knockaert played a big part in all three of our goals at Brentford, carrying the ball a long way and delivering two fine crosses”, “It’s obvious that he has been told to cross it more. It’s working”, “His crossing has been excellent lately”, “He is quiet for periods but he comes up with so many assists.”  Knockaert playing for former club Leicester“We need to have a grip in midfield for him to have an impact.” The 25-year-old one-time Leicester right winger “was isolated at Huddersfield and hardly saw the ball”, “It was his worst game by some distance. He was frustrated, he tried too hard, his passing was erratic and his first touch was poor.” Strikers“Chuba Akpom looks quick and strong and puts some effort in.” The 21-year-old arrived last month on loan from Arsenal having been on loan at Hull last season. “He’s not only rapid but he’s tall and strong”, “He puts himself about and is more energetic than Hemed. He will be very useful to us.” “Akpom was lively against Burton. It looked like his team-mates were trying to tee him up at times”, “I like the look of him. He seems to be a handful in the box. He will cause problems for defenders running at them”, “He still looks a touch off the pace but he looks bright and I like his aggression.” “Tomer Hemed is on fire at the moment.” The 29-year-old Israel international and ex-Mallorca man “has delivered every time he has been called upon”. “If he was a stride quicker, he would be as good as anyone we have ever had”, “He can turn well and he can move with the ball quickly into space.”  Tomer Hemed “Hemed is so mobile for such a big unit. He’s not your typical ‘big lump’ at all, a box he is often put in”, “He leads the line so well, makes some really good runs and his finishing is great. He can’t stop scoring at the moment”, “More pace and mobility than Murray and deserves to start ahead of him.” “Welcome back Sam Baldock.” The 27-year-old ex-Bristol City striker returned against Burton after a five-game absence with a calf injury. “He showed how much we missed him. He is always stretching play”, “It was great to have him back, good link-up play, a well taken goal and loads of running.” “Our 4-4-2 with Baldock works as he makes it a 4-5-1 without the ball. He instantly puts pressure on defenders and his runs open up spaces”, “The man who makes our system work when we don’t have the ball”, “He is so energetic that he seems almost capable of being on the end of his own passes.” Glenn Murray“Murray seems to have gone off the boil lately.” The 33-year-old ex-Palace frontman “is our best striker by miles. He upsets defenders, holds the ball, tracks back and is our best finisher”, “We need to keep him out of our penalty box, he has done nothing but cause us problems there in recent games.”  Glenn Murray v Forest's Damien Perquis“I would rather we started with Murray at home. His record at the Amex is incredible”, “He looked thoroughly unhappy about being on the bench against Burton”, “He is brilliant in the air and is made for Knockaert’s crosses”, “The right place at the right time to plant a lovely header against Burton.” Seagulls’ Views on ITFC and the Game“Beware of Mick McCarthy. He will put out a side that will make it difficult for us despite any injury concerns they have”, “It will be another hard game on Tuesday, you can be sure of that”, “Mick McCarthy should do the decent thing and let his best mate Chris Hughton have the three points.” “McCarthy has said he will do what is necessary to stay in the Championship, so expect extreme negativity”, “Their goal is likely to be goal of the season then as I don't see them venturing over the halfway line too often”, “Mick McCarthy is better at building walls than Donald Trump.” “A win and nothing less will do.” Forecast polls are predictably bullish with 94 per cent expecting a home win and just three per cent forecasting a Town upset. A 2-0 home win is the most popular predicted score while nobody has forecast Ipswich to keep a clean sheet at the time of writing. “It will be a difficult match for us as Ipswich seem to be getting some form back. They beat us at the Amex in a night-time match around Christmas”, “One of three nightmare home defeats that cost us automatic promotion at the end of last season”, “Anything less than a win would be disappointing.” “Ipswich are not the team they have been. They are there for the taking”, “Their form has picked up since their shambles at Lincoln. McGoldrick and Lawrence are a decent strike force”, “We should win, but they'll be tougher than Burton”, “Our form is picking up since our shambles at Lincoln too.”  “We just need to stop Tom Lawrence. David McGoldrick is back from injury and together they make a dangerous pairing”, “He seems to score spectacular goals week after week at the minute. Ipswich certainly seem to be slightly better since the transfer window but Skuse won’t be a loss for them.” “No silly banners from the Ipswich fans”, “Oh dear God, fingers crossed either we get promoted or Ipswich get relegated. Anything to stop us having ‘this’ banner thread twice a season”, “Alright, the banner was a bit of an embarrassment to them at the time but isn't it about time we moved on?” “If my memory serves me right this is a special day in the calendar for the romantics amongst us all. What do I decide?”, “I have been with my wife, a warm and kind person for many years. Football is merely a game, a hobby and has no relevance to real life, love and happiness. 7.45pm, isn't it?” WebsitesThe busiest Albion message board is the friendly and knowledgeable North Stand Chat.
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