From Northampton Today
Vultures hovering as Town head to Brighton
Andy Kirk is hoping to play at Brighton
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View GalleryBy Jeremy Casey
Less than a week into the new season it's not just seagulls that are hovering over the Withdean Stadium, there are a few vultures as well.
Two defeats from two difficult away fixtures at Crewe and Cardiff City to start of the season may not on the face of it be a cause of chagrin for the Brighton supporters – especially as they took the Bluebirds to extra-time before losing 1-0.
But throw into the mix that the Seagulls haven't won a competitive game since their 2-0 win against the Cobblers at Sixfields back on March 31, and their concerns may be better understood.
Indeed, Brighton have lost seven of their last eight matches, with the only respite a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham on the final day of last season – and they haven't won at home since a 2-1 triumph over Nottingham Forest on February 17.
Manager Dean Wilkins insists he is under no pressure, saying: "We have lost on the road at Crewe and we have lost to a Championship side, so I don't think we should sensationalise the first two games."
But the fact is that all is far from rosy on the south coast, despite the feelgood factor of the club being given the go-ahead to build a new stadium and get away from their temporary home at the Withdean.
There may be more pressure on the home side tomorrow than would normally be expected for the first home game of a new season, but Northampton Town boss Stuart Gray isn't reading anything into Brighton's apparent troubles, and he doesn't buy into the theory that this is a good time to play the Seagulls.
"It doesn't matter because at the end of the day you have to play all of the teams," said Gray. "The most important thing for us is that we are unbeaten in two this season, and we had a good result at Doncaster at the end of last season.
"But this is going to be a difficult game. We played Swindon last Saturday and I knew that would be hard because they are a promoted team, and promoted teams are always full of confidence because they have been winning games."
Indeed, Gray feels the dawn of a new season coupled with the news of the new ground will see a positive vibe among the home fans on the south coast tomorrow.
Gray is likely to stick with the side that beat Millwall 2-0 in the Carling Cup first round on Tuesday night, although he revealed that striker Andy Kirk may be struggling.
"Andy has a little bit of a groin problem, so we just need to see how he is.
"He has been playing with it for a couple of games, and that is why we ended up bringing him off against Millwall. But fingers crossed he will come through and be okay."
If Kirk, who has scored two goals in the opening two games, doesn't make it then he will most likely be replaced by Colin Larkin who would fit in up front alongside Poul Hubertz.
Kirk and the long-term injury concern Giles Coke apart, everybody else is fit and well for Town's first seaside trip of the season.
Vultures hovering as Town head to Brighton
Andy Kirk is hoping to play at Brighton
« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »
View GalleryBy Jeremy Casey
Less than a week into the new season it's not just seagulls that are hovering over the Withdean Stadium, there are a few vultures as well.
Two defeats from two difficult away fixtures at Crewe and Cardiff City to start of the season may not on the face of it be a cause of chagrin for the Brighton supporters – especially as they took the Bluebirds to extra-time before losing 1-0.
But throw into the mix that the Seagulls haven't won a competitive game since their 2-0 win against the Cobblers at Sixfields back on March 31, and their concerns may be better understood.
Indeed, Brighton have lost seven of their last eight matches, with the only respite a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham on the final day of last season – and they haven't won at home since a 2-1 triumph over Nottingham Forest on February 17.
Manager Dean Wilkins insists he is under no pressure, saying: "We have lost on the road at Crewe and we have lost to a Championship side, so I don't think we should sensationalise the first two games."
But the fact is that all is far from rosy on the south coast, despite the feelgood factor of the club being given the go-ahead to build a new stadium and get away from their temporary home at the Withdean.
There may be more pressure on the home side tomorrow than would normally be expected for the first home game of a new season, but Northampton Town boss Stuart Gray isn't reading anything into Brighton's apparent troubles, and he doesn't buy into the theory that this is a good time to play the Seagulls.
"It doesn't matter because at the end of the day you have to play all of the teams," said Gray. "The most important thing for us is that we are unbeaten in two this season, and we had a good result at Doncaster at the end of last season.
"But this is going to be a difficult game. We played Swindon last Saturday and I knew that would be hard because they are a promoted team, and promoted teams are always full of confidence because they have been winning games."
Indeed, Gray feels the dawn of a new season coupled with the news of the new ground will see a positive vibe among the home fans on the south coast tomorrow.
Gray is likely to stick with the side that beat Millwall 2-0 in the Carling Cup first round on Tuesday night, although he revealed that striker Andy Kirk may be struggling.
"Andy has a little bit of a groin problem, so we just need to see how he is.
"He has been playing with it for a couple of games, and that is why we ended up bringing him off against Millwall. But fingers crossed he will come through and be okay."
If Kirk, who has scored two goals in the opening two games, doesn't make it then he will most likely be replaced by Colin Larkin who would fit in up front alongside Poul Hubertz.
Kirk and the long-term injury concern Giles Coke apart, everybody else is fit and well for Town's first seaside trip of the season.
