Uncle Spielberg
Well-known member
Survival fight
By Andy Naylor
Mark McGhee could be forgiven for saying: "I told you so." Four months after being relieved of his duties by Albion, his managerial successor Dean Wilkins is finding life just as tough.
But there is no gloating from the Glaswegian, just an appreciation of the all-too-familiar difficulties facing Wilkins and his assistant Dean White.
Not much has changed since McGhee was shown the door by chairman Dick Knight after six League One games, following promotion, Championship survival and relegation in his first three seasons in charge.
A 1-0 defeat at Bristol City, the club where McGhee began his playing career, left Albion in 16th place, two points clear of the relegation zone when Knight decided it was time for a change.
Albion go into Saturday's visit by Millwall, where McGhee had a successful spell as manager, in 15th spot, four points clear of the relegation places.
McGhee has nothing but sympathy for Albion's Dean Team.
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"We were averaging something like 1.45 points per game and they are averaging a lot less than that over the season,"
he said.
"I'd like to think if I was still there I'd have squeezed a few more points out of it but the reality is they are working with a very limited squad with no resources and not a lot more can be expected of them.
"You cannot point the finger at anyone and say they should be doing better. They shouldn't be. They are doing absolutely as well as they can."
The significance of Saturday's result for Wilkins' young side, their confidence knocked by the second run of five straight defeats in all competitions during his reign, is plain for all to see.
Millwall are one of the clubs four points adrift of Albion and they have a game in hand.
McGhee said: "You have to look in the other direction now. A couple of weeks ago they were sitting in tenth and it was something like ten points from the relegation zone.
"One or two, like Millwall, have got games in hand and if Millwall were to beat them then suddenly it could get scary.
"They have a job on but I thought from day one of this season we had a job on.
"I remember speaking to Dario Gradi (Crewe manager) and he said to me all we are interested in is making sure we stay in this division. That was realistic.
"It was the same for us.
People don't want to admit that - the chairman won't admit that - but that is the reality and that is why I say I don't think they are doing any worse than can be expected.
"They have been forced, because of the financial situation at the club, to play young players who may in time prove to be up for it but over a long old season won't be able to sustain it."
McGhee gave many of those young players their chance, like Joel Lynch and Joe Gatting last season, Dean Cox and Sam Rents this season.
He also signed Alex Revell in the summer for what now looks a bargain £8,000 from Braintree.
His sacking still hurts and what hurts most was implied criticism of his failure to attract players to the club.
"It will always rankle because I know the reality of doing the job and I think those now in the job are coming to realise what the difficulties are at a club like Brighton," McGhee said.
"Some of the insinuations around the time I left have now been proven to be ridiculous.
This is a club, like many others, who find it difficult to find players.
"That has been proven.
The only players that have been signed really are those on the periphery of other teams or young players. That is all that is available to clubs like Brighton."
McGhee, still living within hearing distance of Withdean, is finding it hard to jump back on the managerial merry-go-round.
Low-cost, internal appointments appear to be the fashion nowadays.
"It has been pretty much torture," he admitted. "I've been going to a few games, not that many.
"Other than that I sit and watch the results coming in on a Saturday, watch all the football I can on TV and go on to the internet after every match day looking at all the teams and who has and hasn't played to keep up to speed.
"I've been looking for another job since the day I left Brighton. I wanted to get back into work immediately and that continues to be the case.
"I have not by any means put my name in for every job that has come up.
"Ones like West Ham and Charlton came and went and I knew at this stage for me it would be unrealistic to think I was going got get those kind of jobs, so I wouldn't embarrass myself going for them.
"Others have been jobs a bit too similar to the job I had here at Brighton, where you are limited in terms of your chances of success.
"One or two others were attractive jobs where I spoke to the chairmen and someone else ended up getting it "On both occasions I thought those appointed were good appointments."
As he tries to sort out his own future what advice would he offer to Wilkins?
"To be realistic, to make sure the boys know when they are going out there, even at this stage of the season, that they are in a relegation fight.
"Don't be fooled or listen to other people who talk about putting a good run together and making the play-offs.
"That for me is ridiculous.
They have got to get the points to keep them up and every game has got to be like that, roll your sleeves up and really battle for every single point."
By Andy Naylor
Mark McGhee could be forgiven for saying: "I told you so." Four months after being relieved of his duties by Albion, his managerial successor Dean Wilkins is finding life just as tough.
But there is no gloating from the Glaswegian, just an appreciation of the all-too-familiar difficulties facing Wilkins and his assistant Dean White.
Not much has changed since McGhee was shown the door by chairman Dick Knight after six League One games, following promotion, Championship survival and relegation in his first three seasons in charge.
A 1-0 defeat at Bristol City, the club where McGhee began his playing career, left Albion in 16th place, two points clear of the relegation zone when Knight decided it was time for a change.
Albion go into Saturday's visit by Millwall, where McGhee had a successful spell as manager, in 15th spot, four points clear of the relegation places.
McGhee has nothing but sympathy for Albion's Dean Team.
Advertisement continued...
"We were averaging something like 1.45 points per game and they are averaging a lot less than that over the season,"
he said.
"I'd like to think if I was still there I'd have squeezed a few more points out of it but the reality is they are working with a very limited squad with no resources and not a lot more can be expected of them.
"You cannot point the finger at anyone and say they should be doing better. They shouldn't be. They are doing absolutely as well as they can."
The significance of Saturday's result for Wilkins' young side, their confidence knocked by the second run of five straight defeats in all competitions during his reign, is plain for all to see.
Millwall are one of the clubs four points adrift of Albion and they have a game in hand.
McGhee said: "You have to look in the other direction now. A couple of weeks ago they were sitting in tenth and it was something like ten points from the relegation zone.
"One or two, like Millwall, have got games in hand and if Millwall were to beat them then suddenly it could get scary.
"They have a job on but I thought from day one of this season we had a job on.
"I remember speaking to Dario Gradi (Crewe manager) and he said to me all we are interested in is making sure we stay in this division. That was realistic.
"It was the same for us.
People don't want to admit that - the chairman won't admit that - but that is the reality and that is why I say I don't think they are doing any worse than can be expected.
"They have been forced, because of the financial situation at the club, to play young players who may in time prove to be up for it but over a long old season won't be able to sustain it."
McGhee gave many of those young players their chance, like Joel Lynch and Joe Gatting last season, Dean Cox and Sam Rents this season.
He also signed Alex Revell in the summer for what now looks a bargain £8,000 from Braintree.
His sacking still hurts and what hurts most was implied criticism of his failure to attract players to the club.
"It will always rankle because I know the reality of doing the job and I think those now in the job are coming to realise what the difficulties are at a club like Brighton," McGhee said.
"Some of the insinuations around the time I left have now been proven to be ridiculous.
This is a club, like many others, who find it difficult to find players.
"That has been proven.
The only players that have been signed really are those on the periphery of other teams or young players. That is all that is available to clubs like Brighton."
McGhee, still living within hearing distance of Withdean, is finding it hard to jump back on the managerial merry-go-round.
Low-cost, internal appointments appear to be the fashion nowadays.
"It has been pretty much torture," he admitted. "I've been going to a few games, not that many.
"Other than that I sit and watch the results coming in on a Saturday, watch all the football I can on TV and go on to the internet after every match day looking at all the teams and who has and hasn't played to keep up to speed.
"I've been looking for another job since the day I left Brighton. I wanted to get back into work immediately and that continues to be the case.
"I have not by any means put my name in for every job that has come up.
"Ones like West Ham and Charlton came and went and I knew at this stage for me it would be unrealistic to think I was going got get those kind of jobs, so I wouldn't embarrass myself going for them.
"Others have been jobs a bit too similar to the job I had here at Brighton, where you are limited in terms of your chances of success.
"One or two others were attractive jobs where I spoke to the chairmen and someone else ended up getting it "On both occasions I thought those appointed were good appointments."
As he tries to sort out his own future what advice would he offer to Wilkins?
"To be realistic, to make sure the boys know when they are going out there, even at this stage of the season, that they are in a relegation fight.
"Don't be fooled or listen to other people who talk about putting a good run together and making the play-offs.
"That for me is ridiculous.
They have got to get the points to keep them up and every game has got to be like that, roll your sleeves up and really battle for every single point."
