Town boss Paul Jewell felt there was little in his side’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton until the Sussex side’s second goal with the Blues having been the better team in the first half.

Jewell said: “I thought we were the better team for large periods of the game. Certainly in the first half we had some really good play, some good opportunities. Gordon Greer got a terrific shot of Michael Chopra’s off the line, fair play to him.

“In the first half I thought we were the better team, I was a bit disappointed to come in 1-0 down. In the second half we took the game to them, Tommy Smith had a good opportunity from a corner, Michael Chopra’s goal was disallowed, and it was handball, no doubt.”

He was disappointed with the goals conceded, particularly the second which came from a poor Arran Lee-Barrett kick: “The goals we gave away were synonymous with us really — poor goals. But up until the second goal I thought we were well in the game.

“It wasn’t just the goal, it was the manner of the goal, it just deflated everybody. It came out of the blue and it kicks you in the teeth.”

The loss sees the Blues run of four wins on the spin come to an end but the Blues boss says the Seagulls are in good league form themselves: “We’re disappointed to lose the game because we’ve been on a nice little run. But Brighton, it may have gone unnoticed by other people, they’re on a good run as well.

“I thought that if we could get an equaliser we could go on and win the game but it wasn’t to be. The second goal changed the whole complexion of the game and 3-0 flatters them.”

Brighton boss Gus Poyet was pleased to take his side’s undefeated league streak to nine games stretching back to last year: “It was a very good way of continuing with our run of being unbeaten in 2012.

“I think in the first half there was no team which was on top of the other. But I think we used our three or four breaks in the right way and created the better chances.

“They had the ball and they had a few shots from distance, but having said that there weren’t those kind of clear chances for them.

“In the second half we controlled the game and after the second goal it was the kind of game where you could go on and score five or six.

“It was a typical game. You have to earn the right to play and to go on and win it and I think we did that.”

Photo: Action Images

walberswick added 11:37 - Feb 26 6 wins in 21 is not a great run. Shows work needs to be done in key areas. Get Pearce.
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Pettitt10 added 11:52 - Feb 26 4 wins from 5, 12 points from a possible 15, not bad at all imo. just hope this doesnt spiral into 7 straight defeats... carson on bench for leadbitter, only change.
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Fatcatevans added 13:04 - Feb 26 Paul Jewell is deluded if he thinks we were the better team first half. Heres a few ways for the Town to improve. 1/ If you have a defence with no pace dont defend so high up the pitch! The diaganol ball cut us to shreds time after time. 2/ Replace the goalkeeper. He is I'm afraid just not up to the required standard. 3/ Hyam is a red card waiting to happen. He will get taken off most weeks after a stupid yellow. He has to control that aggression. Dury meanwhile looks excellent. 4/ Murphy was almost invisible and is just too inconsistent - 5? In keeping with most peoples views on here - sign a good keeper and 2 central defenders. 6/ Play as if you mean it - at times I thought the Town considered it a testimonial. Over to you PJ

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AndrewPC added 13:05 - Feb 26 The result was 3-0 to the opposition. That is a bad result. It is immaterial that Town may have had some better possession in the first half. The game is played for 90+ minutes. This game was a reality check. Yes, Town went on a 4 game unbeaten run. But now they have leaked 3 very bad goals. I listened to the radio commentary of the game. I think I never heard Murph's or JET's names. So there was little protection today for Cresswell or Edwards up front. The known weaknesses in the defence were today badly exposed. Two left footed centre halves is not ideal especially when they do not talk to one another effectively or act together. And - if Brenner Wolley is to be believed - why did they expect Edwards to be marking CMS when the latter had a free header at goal that came off the crossbar ? He is the main attacking forward so why would he be marked by the right full back ? Last but not least, the jury is still out on PJ. He was utterly bested today tactically by Gus Poyet who knew how to get his side to counterattack effectively against a side holding a high defensive line. Well done Gus ! And why bring on Scotland and Leadbitter ? No improvement accomplished, it just messed up our shape. Message to the players: the game requires 90+ minutes of 100% commitment, teamwork and concentration. Message to the manager: why didn't you get the midfield to get up closer to Razak and stop he making all those incisive passes ?

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Garv added 13:13 - Feb 26 @Fatcatevans please look up 'consistent' in the dictionary because if you knew what it meant you'd know Murphy is and has been one of our most consistent players this season, along with Cresswell and Edwards.
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sheepdags added 15:49 - Feb 26 Disappointed to see some on here putting the blame on ALB - entitled to make one mistake after some of his excellent recent performances and not as big a gaffe as McCarthy's.
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StowTractorBoy added 16:34 - Feb 26 Sheepdags where have you been obviously not watching ITFC ALB makes gaffs every weeks notably last week v. Cardiff he just got away with it. The bloke is I am sorry to say a third choice keeper.
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tractorboy2434 added 17:25 - Feb 26 Re Blu Army, " we should be pushing for the play offs " incredible statement, this team is a million miles from a play off team, no 1st choice keeper, complete lack of cover at FB and CB, and a ponderous midfield, a statement which is absolutely ludicrous and completely baseless argument, sorry, but talk of play offs is pie in the sky, nowhere near good enough, we are mid table at best.

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BigginBlue added 18:16 - Feb 26 Aaran lee Barrett is showing that he is a disgrace week in week out, why not heaton? As Marshall is first choice he may be available. And please for next season pj bring in whittingham. I've said it for years and he continues to shine. Them with pierce to sure up the defence could prove a playoff chasing team. COYB another little run please
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Tractastic added 19:50 - Feb 26 Obviously dissapointed with the result but just shows that we do need to strengthen the defence in particular.Despite our recent good run we still don't seem to have a 'spine' running through the team essential for long term success. We still don't have a quality keeper or centre back and although the current midfield have done well recently i feel we really miss a midfield general and leader to captain and motivate the team on the pitch ala Holland/Magilton. Thank goodness relegation seems to be less of a concern at the moment but it just feels like we are drifting towards another season of mediocrity and under achievement all round. Shame when you look at the seriously avaerage teams at the top of the Championship.

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Surreyexile added 18:05 - Feb 27 Hyam was jaded in the Brighton game and got himself booked for a silly challenge. Agree with the subbing but not sure Leadbitter was the right replacement. Mind you Jason Scotland was not exactly inspiring either!
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bluearmy4life added 21:44 - Feb 27 @Tractorboy2434 'Challenging for a play-off place could and should be a target for NEXT Season'. Simple as that. You have got to be ambitious and realistic and have belief that we can be a force again.
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