Seagullsgonnagetya
Member
Bristol Evening Post
Brighton still have the nucleus of the successful side Micky Adams formed a few years ago. But with some of their best players missing and highly-respected boss Steve Coppell now gone, there is little doubting this is a weaker Seagulls outfit. Long-term injuries to key players Dean Blackwell, the former Wimbledon centrehalf, and former Crystal Palace midfielder Simon Rodger, have undermined their hopes of bouncing back following last season's relegation.
Ex-Torquay and Cardiff midfielder Charlie Oatway is also out until Christmas. And the depar tures of ace striker Bobby Zamora to Tottenham for £1.5 million signing and leftwinger Paul Brooker to Leicester on a free transfer have left some big gaps to plug.
Former Wolves and Millwall boss Mark McGhee, who took over from Coppell, is their fifth manager in two years .
One source close to the club said: "Many of the players are the same from when Micky Adams was in charge, but the squad has been crying out for fresh faces because things have gone a bit stale, as can be seen by the fact we have lost four times in our last six matches in all competitions."
The Withdean outfit's main dangerman is Leon Knight, a £100,000 close-season capture from Chelsea who has scored 13 goals already this season.
The 21-year-old's current strike par tner is Chris McPhee, who has come through the ranks, and has hit the target seven times.
Gary Hart and Nathan Jones provide the ammunition from the flanks, with experienced former Gillingham, Fulham and Cardiff man Richard Carpenter, and exBristol Rovers and Portsmouth full-back Robbie Pethick combining in central midfield.
McGhee has also bolstered the midfield depar tment by signing Tottenham youngster Mark Yeates on a month's loan .
Adam Hinshelwood and Kerry Mayo are the likely full-backs, with ex-Fulham and Brentford star Danny Cullip and veteran former Por tsmouth and Gillingham defender Guy Butters in central defence.
Another Bristol Rovers cast-off, Michel Kuipers, is the regular keeper.
Brighton still have the nucleus of the successful side Micky Adams formed a few years ago. But with some of their best players missing and highly-respected boss Steve Coppell now gone, there is little doubting this is a weaker Seagulls outfit. Long-term injuries to key players Dean Blackwell, the former Wimbledon centrehalf, and former Crystal Palace midfielder Simon Rodger, have undermined their hopes of bouncing back following last season's relegation.
Ex-Torquay and Cardiff midfielder Charlie Oatway is also out until Christmas. And the depar tures of ace striker Bobby Zamora to Tottenham for £1.5 million signing and leftwinger Paul Brooker to Leicester on a free transfer have left some big gaps to plug.
Former Wolves and Millwall boss Mark McGhee, who took over from Coppell, is their fifth manager in two years .
One source close to the club said: "Many of the players are the same from when Micky Adams was in charge, but the squad has been crying out for fresh faces because things have gone a bit stale, as can be seen by the fact we have lost four times in our last six matches in all competitions."
The Withdean outfit's main dangerman is Leon Knight, a £100,000 close-season capture from Chelsea who has scored 13 goals already this season.
The 21-year-old's current strike par tner is Chris McPhee, who has come through the ranks, and has hit the target seven times.
Gary Hart and Nathan Jones provide the ammunition from the flanks, with experienced former Gillingham, Fulham and Cardiff man Richard Carpenter, and exBristol Rovers and Portsmouth full-back Robbie Pethick combining in central midfield.
McGhee has also bolstered the midfield depar tment by signing Tottenham youngster Mark Yeates on a month's loan .
Adam Hinshelwood and Kerry Mayo are the likely full-backs, with ex-Fulham and Brentford star Danny Cullip and veteran former Por tsmouth and Gillingham defender Guy Butters in central defence.
Another Bristol Rovers cast-off, Michel Kuipers, is the regular keeper.