Overall a fair result, may be a wake-up call for Town. Did perform much better in second half and Freddie Sears is a great player for us skill as well as commitment. Least we have the international break now and we came back strong from that last season and we start back from a better position too, so while it hurts today far from hopeless. Come on TOWN!
As I said, someone will undo us. Lousy luck with our injuries and lack f options! Good break, re-group...not a bad place to be. Not too unhappy...but I did like the sound of Emmanuel making attacking triangles up the right. Hope he gets more chances. Our change of formation did not help.
What a match that was. Terrible first half performance but much better in the second. Gerken was crap, held onto the ball too long on too many occasions and really slowed the game at times. A shame to go into the international break on the back of a defeat but we really need this time off to get some key players back.
Looked steady enough and better able to deal with their physical presence.As others have said,p#%s poor first half,BHA doing what we were good at last year,closing down very quickly and hitting us hard when they had the ball. Much better second half with a bit more composure on the ball thanks to Dids quality.Didnt really deserve anything from the game though if I'm honest. Edit.Having seen their third goal again,we really didn't ought to be conceding goals from those sort of positions.I hope MM was seething.
Frustrated, as I would expect to be after any loss. The 'post mortem' will always flag up our chosen style of play. Are we missing murphy to chase the 'hoofs'? But I can't say I'm overly concerned with being 3rd at the international break. Something in the defense does need looking at though. Don't feel as confident we won't concede as I have been up to now under McCarthy. Hopefully Berra won't be out for too long and Petr can shore us up.
Abit off topic but anyone seen what Bradford have done with their season tickets the past few seasons?
I love Freddie Sears, such a good little player. His movement is superb!! Still feel we need a bit of a battering ram upfront in Murphys absence!!
**** happens, brighton looked quite good, we didn't look as sharp at the back, I would defo bring barty back in goal.
It was always going to be tough with so many first choice players missing, Bart, Berra, Murphy, and Bru are not easy to replace, on top of this Parr, Bishop, and Hyam have yet to play this season through injury. So what did we learn? The two teenagers were unsurprisingly overwhelmed and Gerken will always be reserve Keeper, im sure Bart would have saved two of their goals and not put so many kicks straight into touch, also without Bru the Mid Field looks uncompetitive against good sides. McG really got us back in the match with his movement and all round skills and Sears was buzzing as usual, I don't think Malacyk?? knew what hit him having only arrived in the Country the previous day but time will tell whether hes up to it or not. Without a doubt the best side won and our defenders looked really slow against them with nobody looking comfortable on the ball, lets face it they could have scored six or seven if it wasn't for the post and last ditch blocks, I suppose its better to have a wake up call now and not in April.
Had a feeling that would be a hard game, always frightened we'll concede at least two without Berra. My mate went, said we were appalling and Brighton could have had 8! Great time for the break, we need Murphy/ Parr/ Bishop / Bru back. Hopefully McGoldrick's injury isn't too bad too. Bart has to play, Gherken isn't good enough i m o. Excited we're added Oar / Polish defender too. Hope some of the young lads get loan spells now- Kenyu / Donnolly / McDonnel / Emmanuel / Yowerth ( spelling ) all need a good month away, will do them a lot of good. Hoping one or two may get a league 2 club before the weekend to get an extra fixture in. Cracking start to the season, very happy with 10/15. Shame to lose at home, but the way it goes at times. I think the best squad we've had at this stage in the season for years - remember last season!? Bishop / Bru hadn't even become established until Derby away, we were painfully short in attack/ wide positions. This gives Oar / Malarczyk / Toure / Coke / Alabi / Douglas the chance to get fully fit also. Must be the end of the road for Henshall I would add now we have four wide boys, not withstanding Tabb ( He's fantastic is Tabby ) so for his sake go out and make a career for yourself. Looked bright at Derby second half last season ( I do bang on about this fixture I must confess ) but clearly behind the scenes there is a reason he's not doing much. Any late business coming in? Can't see it - but I must confess if a top keeper / awesome quick powerful ball playing CB / MAYBE rb at a push ( assume Malarczyk may be that role / signing so that leaves the other two ) I really would perhaps break the bank to get them. Berra is a must, but with the onus on more passing quick tempo play - Chambers/ Smith do not offer very good distribution. Could we get better? Who knows. This season has a good feel to it, and I think we can go all the way. COYB!
Agree with what you've said Westy but you ask the question " could we get better? " I don't know either but Brighton certainly have and they did it by buying quality players and paying quality money for them, I agree you can unearth some diamonds now and again but if you want quality you have to pay for it, compare Brighton last season to this season the difference is glaring.
Trouble is if we sign someone for £2 / 3 mill with our transfer / wage policy they'd probably be akin to Sereni / George and team spirit/ everything may be unsettled very quickly. Could be wrong. Well Brighton have got a real manager who is doing a good job. They'll be top 10 no problems.
Good posts FM and Westy. We missed half the team and had a reserve goalie meeting the Seagulls flying high and their pricey talent on show and clearly doing the business.I am too am very optimistic that this break has come at just the right time and we will push on. Such a shame that the injuries happened to the best of last seasons performing nucleus.
I agree that injuries affected the team at the weekend. We had our second-choice keeper between the sticks, who I've never really rated and he did nothing to dissuade me of that opinion. While it's good to see young players blooded and they have to be given the chances to prove their talent, it was certainly a day to forget by Emmanuel. He was torn to pieces down that flank and MM was wise to bring him off when he did. Not a lot of players could come out with their head held high after that terrible first-half performance. Just a shame to see some elements of the crowd booing. Yes it was a bad half, but worthy of a boo after our form so far this season? Some fans need to get a sense of perspective. Yes, we've got a good squad but we're not going to win every game and I do feel there has been an element of overestimating ourselves. But hey, early days. Malarczyk and Oar look like good signings who will improve the squad and bring some much-needed competition. However, as I think somebody mentioned earlier, Malarczyk came on and played in the centre with Chambers shifted to the right. I think we have to be resigned to the fact that Chambers will likely start as our first-choice right-back. The whole doing promotion with cash/on a budget has been a widespread debate lately, but Brighton look like one of those clubs that have got the management and scouting systems sorted. The fact they have money to spend will evidently help them as they are able to purchase players from a larger pool than clubs like ourselves. Not necessarily a guarantee of promotion, of course, but I think it certainly provides an advantage. We can't exactly complain though. Unlike the last few years, we've actually spent money this summer (albeit thanks to the Mings sale) and from what I've seen of the new boys so far, it seems they've been inspired buys. Players like Oar shows that you can buy proven ability for nothing.
