Hi lads. Just came on here to see how your new strikers Sammy is getting on.
I've seen he's not been in the goals, but has he contributed a lot? Just want to get your initial thoughts on him.
If he hasn't set the world alight yet, I'd advise you not to worry, as last season it took until around December to get going, he will come good.
Another question I have for you, is what many fans around the country wonder.. How have you so suddenly been able to get your attendances so high from what they previously were?!
And for you older folk out there, would it be a lie to say that you almost prefered the Withdean to the Amex, just for tradition? I have to hold my hands up and say I never went to the Withdean, but I went to the Amex the first season it opened, you beat us 2-0, was a dire game, doubt any of you remember it.
Cheers lads, and also for any of you wondering about El-Abd's progress, he hasn't put a foot wrong when came on, but can't force his way into our defence which has been so solid this season.
All the best for this season!
To question why our attendances have gone up since moving to the Amex is a bit like saying why did our attendances go down when we left the Goldstone ! You do know we played at the goldstone with similar attendances to what we get now ?
From what I've seen so far Baldock is similar to McSmudger... Probably good in league 1 but not up to Championship level. I hope we havnt wasted good money on him...
I'm a lot more INTELLIGANT than people THINK
I'm a lot more INTELLIGANT than people THINK
Does ANYONE think your intelligant?
I remember. Really enjoyed going to the Goldstone ground, well, the time we won there (91) mostly, not so much the time before when we lost (when Mike Gatting's brother was playing for you? Is that right?) I also recall BHA getting 30,000 in the 70s when you went up to the 1st. And bringing a v good following to Ashton Gate in about 79 (before we got relegated). Think that's your only time in the top flight (?) and you managed to combine it with reaching the cup final, of course, a great way of cementing a solid core of support to last beyond those glory years. Like us, you have had your difficult times since then, but have come through it. Unlike us, you got to build a new home fit for the 21st century. It remains to be seen whether the redevelopment of AG will have a similarly transformative effect on City as the Amex has had on BHA.To question why our attendances have gone up since moving to the Amex is a bit like saying why did our attendances go down when we left the Goldstone ! You do know we played at the goldstone with similar attendances to what we get now ?
Although I was a STH at the Withdean (sometimes sharing), I know plenty of fans who went to the Goldstone and only bothered with a couple of games a year at the Withdean: a) the tickets there were limited and you couldn't buy on the day and b) it was a really shit venue for footy - they now either have STs or go to a lot more games than they did. There are some new fans too, although not as many as some would have you believe.Another question I have for you, is what many fans around the country wonder.. How have you so suddenly been able to get your attendances so high from what they previously were?!
Yes. Sure, many have good memories there, we won a few league titles, but as I said, it was an awful venue for football.And for you older folk out there, would it be a lie to say that you almost prefered the Withdean to the Amex, just for tradition?
Lightweight league 1 striker. Not what was needed
I remember. Really enjoyed going to the Goldstone ground, well, the time we won there (91) mostly, not so much the time before when we lost (when Mike Gatting's brother was playing for you? Is that right?) I also recall BHA getting 30,000 in the 70s when you went up to the 1st. And bringing a v good following to Ashton Gate in about 79 (before we got relegated). Think that's your only time in the top flight (?) and you managed to combine it with reaching the cup final, of course, a great way of cementing a solid core of support to last beyond those glory years. Like us, you have had your difficult times since then, but have come through it. Unlike us, you got to build a new home fit for the 21st century. It remains to be seen whether the redevelopment of AG will have a similarly transformative effect on City as the Amex has had on BHA.
I always think there are a number of similarities between us and Brighton, although I think it would take us reaching the Prem to match the impressive attendances at the Amex. I haven't been to see us there yet, but we've got a chance of getting back to the Champs this season, so if that "chance" turns into something more solid, I will look forward to getting back down there. Assuming you chaps don't get promoted, of course
I loved the Goldstone (behind the goal first visit, it was raining, so good for making noise; on the open bank second time) in my early 20s; now, late 40s, more than happy for a comfy seat, good view, decent toilets, etc etc.....
On Sammy, some up here called him "Sandra" Baldock, or Sammy Bullock, last season. Because he was just a bit too pleasant, nice, decent. He wouldn't kick his granny to score a goal. And he wasn't too keen on a clear chance in one game to score with a header, as, we thought, it was likely to involve a threat to rearrange his cute, boyish good looks from a defender's forehead and or the keeper's fist. And we were struggling and needed someone, anyone, prepared to do anything to score/ grab a win (we didn't win in the league until 26th Oct). Sam missed a number of one-on-one's with the keeper and drew some criticism, as we drew games 2:2 or lost by one goal. The criticism should have been directed at the porous defence (hence the move to sign El Abd in Jan).
So, Sammy is no physical presence, lacks subtlety in 1 on 1 chances, and loses the ball too often receiving it with his back to goal (well, that was him in a struggling team last season) but he is capable of scoring despite all this and I would reckon something in the region of 15-18 goals at Champs level. But he will need other things in the team to be right for this to happen, the supply to be tailored towards him; he won't fashion goals from nothing, by himself, so much. We can all see now why Assombalonga cost so much more. Put Sam in Forest's team and he would not have scored as many as Asso has got so far, imho. He is, though, a "good egg," a fine professional, hard working and fairly nippy. Got a decent shot on him from up to 20 yards out. And the ladies will take a shine to him. And the kids. He's the sort you'd want to marry your daughter, if she was going to shack up with a footballer.
Just don't expect him to fire you lot into the Prem. Sorry!
I personally believe Baldock will come good. Jury's out at the moment though.
As for our attendances, now that we are at the Amex, the truth is that we have alot of season ticket holders who don't 'support' Brighton. They are 'supporters' of Premier League sides who never bother travelling to watch 'their' teams and have therefore now adopted Brighton as their 2nd team. The large catchment area that we have helps us in this respect. (or hinders depending on your viewpoint)