Back from Carlisle thread (and player ratings)

[El Presidente]

I think we knew we were up against it when the referee from Cumbria joined in with the Carlisle players in their pre-match play off. The fact that he also had six fingers and webbed hands along with most locals also suggested some affiliation to the locality.

We started quite brightly, Fozzy and Murray were linking well, Thomson sent Murray through with one excellent ball inside the channel, and Whing and Richards made forays down the flanks.

The match turned in one five minute spell. A hopeful Fraser free kick ricocheted around but then fell to Murray four yards out, with the keeper on the floor, he first hit the bar and then the keeper, when on both occasions it looked easier to score.

We then gave a needless free kick away on the half way line. Whing fell asleep and the ball was played to their left winger, who strolled upfield, then into the box with no Albion players near and passed along the six yard box and the ball was bundled in past FDM, who rightly threw a paddy.

Two minutes later some more intricate play from us saw Murray into an excellent position, and he was chopped down in front of the ref, who raised his whistle to his lips, started to blow, and then stopped. There was no advantage in Murray diving as he was in a good position, so the ref must have been looking after his 500 cousins in the stands at this stage.

At half time we were still very much in it, having played some good football on the ground for a change, hopes were therefore high......but
in the second half we were shit, wind against us, and again very poor defending from a corner lead to their second goal. The initial corner evaded everyone, one of the Carlisle players had loads of time to play the ball back into the six yard box, and their big number 9 was unopposed in finishing the move.

Player ratings

FDM 6.5
Whing 6
Richards 7
El Abd 5.5
Elphick 6.5

Thomson 6
Fraser 5.5
Martot 6.5
Westlake 5.5

Forster 6.5
Murray 6.5

 

[perseus]

Murray's miss. Right or left foot?

 

[fatbadger]

Just back.

We played some very good football at times, but were undone at the back (Whing was terrible - and his booking was idiotic). First time I've seen Murray, and was impressed. Generally pleased (especially if we think back to the performance last time we were there). We are starting to look like a good team, albeit one that is still finding its feet a little. We definitely need an old head at the back, though.

 

[Vlad the Impala]

Murray's miss. Right or left foot?

Sorry, never met her.

 

[Screaming J]

I think it was a bit of a reality check. They are in the top 3 and have dropped 4 points at home all season. As el pres says the game turned on 2 momentary lapses of concentration and one very poor refereing decision. Carlisle were a little sharper than us on 2 occasions when it counted and they had one bit of luck. That's how you get promoted.

I have to say though, I don't think we should beat ourseves up too much. I thought we played OK; and we aren't a bad side. I've always thought the play-offs were a bit too big of a jump after last season but if we keep at it, keep a settled side and have no contract fannying-around in the close season or next Jan's transfer window (Please god! we really ought to have a chance next season.

Don't disagree with the player ratings, Martot came out of his anonymity (encouraged by the chanting?) but I think you can be a bit more generous to El Abd. Comared to the utter mare he had at Carlisle last year he's improved immeassuprably!

 

[Yorkie]

Kuipers 5
Whing 5
Richards 5
El Abd 5
Elphick 5

Thomson 5
Fraser 5
Martot 5
Westlake 5

Forster 5
Murray 5


The ref didn't help, but we looked like 11 individuals rather than a team. Our positioning was abysmal at times, players were looking for someone to pass to, whilst being closed down by Carlisle players. It was as though the ball was a hot potato that nobody wanted.
There were some bright spots as posted by El Pres but in the main we were well beaten.

 

[Skintagain 1983]

Despite my player ratings we weren't at 6's and 7's yesterday.

I was pleased with the shape most of the time. When we dominated we kept the shape well and were unlucky. I'm surprised we only had 49% possession - it seemed much more.

Played some good passing football, as did Carlisle it must be said, and up until the first goal we had looked comfortable and confident. But if you don't take the chances, no matter how much you can dominate a game, if you switch off you will probably get punished. Just ask the Mancs and Chelski.

But as one of the many Deanos said we must take the positives.

BHAlbas had a good day out, despite the monsoon in both directions, with 15 spotted including 3 new BHAlba/Albion virgins. Thanks Chris for arranging the minibus and driving both ways in that flood, top man, and for the fundraising.

But what were the ballboys all about? Carlisle won't survive in the Championship, they've only got one match ball!

The highlight though had to be ... the "cheerleaders". The wee boy cheerleader's mum must be an utter bastard! I bet she named him Tristrum!

Bring on the Dirty Leeds...

Kuipers 6
Whing 6
Richards 7
El Abd 7
Elphick 6

Thomson 6
Fraser 6
Martot 7
Westlake 7

Forster 7
Murray 7

 

[Row Z Creased Shirt]

It was an odd game really, not one I could get worked up about either way. We played miles better than last year, and if Murray had put us one up who knows how it would have turned out. It was bad pitch on which to chase the game. It was absolutely dire and any team chasing a result is going to struggle as their strength gets sapped by the bumpy bog, if it's like that all the time I can see why Carlisle have such a good home record.

I thought the way we started the second half was very positive, and we played some nice stuff but the second goal just killed us off and Carlisle closed the game out extremely well. It's just a shame that two lapses of concentration cost us so dearly.

On reflection I think the team is starting to take shape nicely, I hope we can keep Westlake as he has fitted in well, but it maybe a case of too little too late. I feel a win on tuesday is a must if we are to stay in the hunt for an unlikely playoff spot.

 

[Horsham Gull]

my hand hurts from banging the metal at the back of the stand , we should have got a draw out of yesterday, as deano said we slacked off a bit at times and didnt follow the second ball which is where we let them in and gave them chances to capitalise on our mistakes.

 

[Fourteenth Eye]

Im disapointed by the result but not the performance. As has previuosly been said, the game turned on a crazy 5 mins where we should have scored, they went up the other end and did score and then we had a stonewall pen turned down. Murray was chopped down !!!! he was about to shoot and his legs got taken away.

The last 3 games have seen 3 degrees of refereeing. The ref against orient was brilliant. The ref against gills was a complete homer (ooer) as was the ne yesterday b ut obviously for the home team

Overall tho we are moving in the right direction

 

[Yorkie]

I didn't think it was a penalty. I thought Murray fell but not pushed.

 

[crodonilson]

With Carlisles home record I wasn't expecting a lot, anything would have been a bonus and it sounds as though there were plenty of positives from the performance so lets not get too downhearted.

How many Brighton were there??

 

[SICKASAGULL]

Fourteenth Eye says we are moving in the right direction,as we are dropping down the league this indicates we are bound for Div2,Our away form is poor and in the remaining away games against superior teams we are not likely to pick up many points, but I do think we will avoid relegation.
Another season in Div1 will see gates even smaller,however if you are prepared to travel to Carlisle to watch the standard of Div1 football then the board can count on keeping all turnstiles manned next season.

 

[Skintagain 1983]

How many Brighton were there??

Reckon about 400.
I counted the legs and divided by 2 so I reckon I'm pretty close.

I don't think it was a penalty either.

Still smartin' about those useless ballboys and their one ball.

 

[m20gull]

Fourteenth Eye says we are moving in the right direction,as we are dropping down the league this indicates we are bound for Div2

Beginning of the transfer window 12th place, 6 points off the play-offs
Today 12th place, 5 points off the play-offs

 

[m20gull]

I don't think it was a penalty either.

Me, neither.

 

[Superphil]

Pitch was shit.

 

[Kukev31]

I don't think it was a penalty either. that was always going to be a tricky game and you knew it wasn't going to go our way when Murray didn't convert either of his two good chances. Good support from us I felt.

 

[crodonilson]

Reckon about 400.
I counted the legs and divided by 2 so I reckon I'm pretty close.

I don't think it was a penalty either.

Still smartin' about those useless ballboys and their one ball.

354 is the correct answer, great support.

 

[The Merry Prankster]

if you are prepared to travel to Carlisle to watch the standard of Div1 football .........

I am. It is called "supporting your team", apparently.