[Albion] Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crawley Town *** Official Match Thread ***

[Javeaseagull]

First thoughts this morning were “Thank f*** Fab decided to play the second eleven!” I was a bit worried when I saw eleven changes but as usual Fab knows best. Bit of a jolt remembering we used to watch football like that every week. Still, 4 nil and we move on, Bastards!

 

[Baldseagull]

I took my driving test in Crawley. Horrible place full of roundabouts. Is there an uglier town in Sussex?

Any town that you show your face in.

 

[Auckland seagull]

Any town that you show your face in.

We are obviously twins then.

 

[schmunk]

Not trying to hammer anyone London Irish. I was just a little surprised at how quiet people were. Having said that, it probably wasn't the usual crowd and it was nice to be closer to the action.

I sat on the halfway line towards the back of East Lower, away from my normal North Shelf seat, and was shocked, SHOCKED, at the quietitude.

My party of 4 were the only people anywhere near us trying to join in chants - even Albion Albion and SEEEEEEAAAAAAGGGGUUUUUULLLLLLLSSSSS.

A very poor show.

 

[Machiavelli]

We’ve moved from behind the goal in the North to West Upper and it’s just a totally different experience. You can’t really see the game in the North, or what’s going on tactically. But the atmosphere is the best in the stadium. West Upper has some atmosphere, but if you’re sitting there it’s to get the best view of the football, and all the tactical going’s on that happen.

Agreed, and I get around the fact that the atmosphere is better in the North than the WSU by going to away games, where the atmosphere is for the most part fantastic.
Last night sat in WSL not too far away from FH so got to see him in action, berating the fourth official for some of their strong-arm tactics, although Crofts dispensed the club verdict to Lyndsey at full-time.
The most noticeable feature of the coaching team is Herr Knoop who pops up dramatically whenever there's a defensive set-piece:

https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/pages/en/mens-first-team-coaches

 

[Baldseagull]

Crofts and Lindsey know each other and talk football with eachother, Maybe not friends, but friendly, at least they were.

 

[Hometownglory]

I sat on the halfway line towards the back of East Lower, away from my normal North Shelf seat, and was shocked, SHOCKED, at the quietitude.

My party of 4 were the only people anywhere near us trying to join in chants - even Albion Albion and SEEEEEEAAAAAAGGGGUUUUUULLLLLLLSSSSS.

A very poor show.

If the away fans do move to the Southeast corner, maybe it'll wake the East Stand up? Having said that, based on last night, perhaps not. We'll need singers in the South. I can't imagine being sat next to away fans, being goaded all game and not feeling able to respond with a counter chant. We shall wait and see.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Tried watching Aus BeIN 2 and it was fecking tennis all evening?
Yet programme said EFL cup

 

[Surf's Up]

I sat in the North for the first time for a few years and I have to say the North were not very good at singing - every time a chant started up on one side, the other side joined in about three lines later and continued the chant in their own timing, ignoring that of the other side. I thought the North was supposed to be the home end and the generator of a wall of sound () - well it isn't.

 

[London Irish]

Not trying to hammer anyone London Irish. I was just a little surprised at how quiet people were. Having said that, it probably wasn't the usual crowd and it was nice to be closer to the action.

Yup. My point was I've wondered if there is an acoustics issue at the stadium, I think there might be. It's mad not to be able to hear the North Stand from the East Stand halfway line

 

[Albion my Albion]

Tried watching Aus BeIN 2 and it was fecking tennis all evening?
Yet programme said EFL cup

Damn those Austrian programme creators. If they only knew what irritation they cause football fans all over the world!!!!!

 

[Albion my Albion]

What time do you knock off?

Fancy going for a drink?

Did I miss a big party?

 

[The Fifth Column]

I wasn't bothered by the lack of atmosphere given it was like a fooking creche in most parts of the stadium and loads of casual fans that don't normally go to games as well, there were literally dozens of kids near me in WL1 not remotely interested in the match

 

[jcdenton08]

Did I miss a big party?

Did not, I repeat did not turn into an all night rave

 

[Professor Plum]

Yup. My point was I've wondered if there is an acoustics issue at the stadium, I think there might be. It's mad not to be able to hear the North Stand from the East Stand halfway line

I usually sit in EU halfway between the halfway line and the south stand. There are times when people here talk about the NS having been loud for a match when I’ve barely heard them all game. Last night I sat in EL closer to the north and was also struck by how loud the NS sounded at times. So I can understand away fans who complain about not hearing much from the NS. As has been said before, away fans are nearly always louder (both at the Amex and Albion fans when travelling). Main reasons are a) you get the more hardcore supporters going to away games and b) they’re often quite bevied up.

Another factor last night, certainly in the EL, was the large number of families with children. It’s school holidays and the tickets were cheap so I suspect there were a lot of occasional visitors and kids being taken for a treat.