Comment: Ranters should get real (From The Argus)
Albion's goalless draw against Luton on Tuesday provoked a ridiculous over-reaction in some quarters.
John Baine was on the radio like a shot after the final whistle to rant and rage – and he is part of the club’s public address team at Withdean!
Baine and other fans calling for Micky Adams’ head have short memories. The situation was not much better this time last year under Dean Wilkins.
Luton are not really bottom of League Two. Without their 30 point deduction for their financial problems they would be just below halfway.
A year ago Albion lost at home to Mansfield in the FA Cup. Yes, that’s right, the same Mansfield who went on to be relegated and are now playing in the Blue Square premier.
I recall Wilkins complaining at the time that his depleted squad for that match, containing eight youth team products, looked weak.
Adams found himself in a similar situation against Luton. He had to rely on seven youth team products in the starting line-up, with two more on the bench.
Jake Robinson, making his first start since May, has not scored since March. The squad was also ravaged by injuries.
Tommy Elphick, Adam Virgo and Tommy Fraser were all carrying knocks. By the end the side included Kerry Mayo, who has played one game in the reserves after three months out, and David Livermore on his comeback from knee surgery.
The Mansfield defeat came during an eight-match period last season in which Albion won only once, drew two and lost five. Two points out of 15 dropped them to 14th in the table and they were on the slide.
What changed? What turned Albion into a team which finished seventh? Not the manager, they simply signed better quality players and that is exactly what needs to happen now.
There were three key additions. Glenn Murray arrived during the January transfer window followed by Ian Westlake on loan from Leeds and Therry Racon from Charlton.
Murray scored goals, Westlake and Racon improved the midfield.
The rest of Albion’s season will be defined by their transfer business. Stockport left-back Jim McNulty is unlikely to make a £150,000 move south, given that Ipswich and Leeds are also believed to be interested in him.
Nevertheless, the fee agreed with County, together with another substantial bid for an unidentified Championship midfielder, are at least demonstrations of intent by chairman Dick Knight and the board.
Albion's goalless draw against Luton on Tuesday provoked a ridiculous over-reaction in some quarters.
John Baine was on the radio like a shot after the final whistle to rant and rage – and he is part of the club’s public address team at Withdean!
Baine and other fans calling for Micky Adams’ head have short memories. The situation was not much better this time last year under Dean Wilkins.
Luton are not really bottom of League Two. Without their 30 point deduction for their financial problems they would be just below halfway.
A year ago Albion lost at home to Mansfield in the FA Cup. Yes, that’s right, the same Mansfield who went on to be relegated and are now playing in the Blue Square premier.
I recall Wilkins complaining at the time that his depleted squad for that match, containing eight youth team products, looked weak.
Adams found himself in a similar situation against Luton. He had to rely on seven youth team products in the starting line-up, with two more on the bench.
Jake Robinson, making his first start since May, has not scored since March. The squad was also ravaged by injuries.
Tommy Elphick, Adam Virgo and Tommy Fraser were all carrying knocks. By the end the side included Kerry Mayo, who has played one game in the reserves after three months out, and David Livermore on his comeback from knee surgery.
The Mansfield defeat came during an eight-match period last season in which Albion won only once, drew two and lost five. Two points out of 15 dropped them to 14th in the table and they were on the slide.
What changed? What turned Albion into a team which finished seventh? Not the manager, they simply signed better quality players and that is exactly what needs to happen now.
There were three key additions. Glenn Murray arrived during the January transfer window followed by Ian Westlake on loan from Leeds and Therry Racon from Charlton.
Murray scored goals, Westlake and Racon improved the midfield.
The rest of Albion’s season will be defined by their transfer business. Stockport left-back Jim McNulty is unlikely to make a £150,000 move south, given that Ipswich and Leeds are also believed to be interested in him.
Nevertheless, the fee agreed with County, together with another substantial bid for an unidentified Championship midfielder, are at least demonstrations of intent by chairman Dick Knight and the board.
