Just got back from Swindon- for those that wernt there....

[West Hoathly Seagull]

Elphick, Painter and Sparrow were immense today

I'd echo that entirely, especially Painter who I thought was superb today. The guy is sheer class and so calm; I can't remember Swindon having a single attack down our left. Elphick too did a turn and draw away with the ball which a season ago he would never have done. Regarding Sparrow, what can I say? Cracking start to his Albion career. By the way, was he captain today? I couldn't see an armband on any of our players.

 

[Foolg]

[QUOTE

I'd estimate it at 1500, given that we sold out the 1200 in the Arkell Stand, and there were a few hundred of us behind the goal, I'd have thought.QUOTE]

Not quite sure if there were a few hundred behind the goal, great noise though!!

In the Arkells stand there were people stood in the isles both sides which i could see, as there were no seats at all to be had. Apparently despite the fact we sold it out in advance, they were offering tickets for that stand today or the open end.
Would say 1500 or so, was 300 in that open end easily i think.

 

[Herne Hill Seagull]

Calderon skippered, Hoathly.

 

[BensGrandad]

I think Calderon was captain as he lead the team out.

 

[imissworthing2]

I bought my ticket at about 1 today any they said we had sold about 1300.

After today I cant see the back 4 changing it'll be crazy to bring greer in however good he is!!

 

[Lush]

Most enjoyable performance for me was el Abd who tackled, ran and shouted non-stop for 95 minutes

He's a trooper isn't he? He knows he's our 3rd choice centre half and he still gives 110%.

 

[BensGrandad]

Swindon would have preferred to have had El Abd playing for them than against them and that is the best praise that can be given to a player.

 

[Turkey]

Great result but nothing to get over excited about. Took the goals superbly but other than the goals we didnt offer much going forward. Defended quite well and pretty organised.

You can't ask for any more than 3 points though and away at last years play-off finalists. If we really want to be a top side though we're still lacking a little.

 

[BrightonSeagulls]

Great win today for the lads. Another big away following which im sure surprised the new lads, especially the foreigners. Good overall performance. Solid at the back albeit for the late goal they scored. On todays viewing i cant see us conceding many and we still have Greer suspended to so very promising.

The only negative i would say was that despite two goals id still say we are a little lightweight up front. We didnt seem to have two much going forward however im well aware Murray was missing and Gus is still searching for a new striker so im not at all concerned with that.

Positives from the new signings are of course Matt Sparrow. Top drawer finish for the first and a calm collected second goal. Kilishev looked ok and will improve with Fitness. The new goalie didnt have a great deal to do but seemed to have a decent presence. Couldnt fault his distribution.

All in all a good day out and a great 3 points. Would have been happy with a drawer so ultimately delighted with the win.

I agree, It was also so funny to see how annoyed the swindon fans were, it was a great game and i think brighton will be in top form for rochdale next week!

 

[BrightonSeagulls]

I think there has to be a massive applause for the support today, we were so much louder than them an exact total of 1497 away fans today, thats impersive!

 

[TrueFan]

I think there has to be a massive applause for the support today, we were so much louder than them an exact total of 1497 away fans today, thats impersive!

Yeh agree!

 

[sonicyouth]

Did you bring those seagulls with you today? The sight of gulls swooping over the Town End was ominous when we went 2-0 down.

 

[Juan Albion]

Did you bring those seagulls with you today? The sight of gulls swooping over the Town End was ominous when we went 2-0 down.

Not as ominous as going 2-0 down though.

 

[7:18]

what are people's thoughts on Calderon leading the team as captain? He is not one of the names on my shortlist. Id have Elphick, Navarro, Sparrow, and even El-Abd all ahead of him in my pecking order.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

He's a trooper isn't he? He knows he's our 3rd choice centre half and he still gives 110%.

I was astonished to realise that if he's still here in two years,will be entitled to a testimonial.

 

[CAPTAIN GREALISH]

painter was class yesterday

 

[JJ McClure]

Was suprised by Calderon as captain, but I think he captained Alaves when in Spain so its not a new job to him in that respect.

 

[minnieme]

Just got home.

Greer will have a tough time breaking in to that back four! Swindon very rarely managed to get behind us which is a great sign, and their efforts on goal were restricted to a couple of scrambles from free kicks and corners. I think the main factor in the game was our midfield, the three in the middle ran the game and Swindon weren't allowed to impose themselves on us.

As an attacking force Barnes was used as the target for the midfielders to run off of, and because of that he spent most of the time with his back to goal. He played alright without ever really looking like scoring himself. 4-5-1 was always going to be the formation today with Murray missing, but as I said it allowed our midfield to dominate.

Reasonable turn out, 10,000+ in the ground with 1000ish from Brighton. A very good win against one of the fancied teams.

Ankergren 7. Steady, could have been sent off late on but will be good competition for Brez. Good kicking.

Calderon 7. Great to see him back, flair coming forward, covered well by Elphick when he did.

Elphick 8. My man of the match, won everything and some brillo 'ave it' tackles.

El-Abd 7. Never out of position, didn't put a foot wrong. Greer will surely start on the bench.

Painter 7. Excellent defensively, solid.

Bennett 6. Quiet start for Elliott, on the receiving end of some hefty tackles.

Sparrow 8. Box to box, great energy and two quality goals. Dream start to his Albion career.

Navarro 7. Broke up the Swindon attacks effectively, and played simple passes. Made it easy for the defence.

Kishishev 7. Used his experience to nullify everything Swindon played forward. The midfield three played very well as a unit, when he tired Dicker came in and we looked equally effective.

Smith 6. Great energy but didn't convince me that he is the left sided solution. That said he won't let us down until we sign Lualua/Monkhouse/Grant/whoever...

Barnes 6. Lived off scraps a little, but held up the ball well at times. He did a good job for the team as I don't think he's really a lone striker.

where did you get around a 1000ish we sold out the Arkells stand (1200) + about 300 behind the goal

 

[NMH]

To temper things a little - it's the first game of the season, and it's only Swindon - mustn't get carried away too much. Huddersfield still looking hot, and there will be a few surprise sides to come up against I'll wager

 

[Mendoza]

It was good to be back indeed