[Albion] Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion *** Official Match Thread ***

[Steve in Japan]

It's been an odd game today. Given we're down, I think, 10 starting players,I didn't really expect a great deal. To take it that close, after the game in Athens, is impressive.

Having said that, you'll win very, very few games going down 2-0 in the first 20 minutes. That's a statistical fact. Mr Bloom will confirm. So all the hot air about reffing is all well and good, but is not the reason we lost.

Still, a good effort today and our Stiffs are getting good opportunities to stake a claim for a starting place.

 

[portslade seagull]

Think it shows the squad currently lacks depth which hopefully is partially addressed in January. Playing the u21s is good for their development but not so many at the same time

 

[METALMICKY]

He was great for us, we were great for him . . . It could have gone either way in the summer.

He's history now and most of us won't remember him fondly after today. I thought his gamesmanship was proper chelsea.

He was always going back to them based on money. As you suggest I applauded him at the start but after his antics at the end it's a firm Panto boo from me.

 

[Goldstone Guy]

I don't think you sound sanctimonious.
His photo is out in the public domain and much as we post pictures of players and other BHA staff when we call them out for something good, I think we should be allowed to do the same if they're worthy of the opposite.
Now I'm sure this guy tries really hard at his job but he just seems to be failing in his role.
No reason to not call him out.

However, saying that, others can find BHA first team set piece coach with a simple Google search
and I'm not a vicious person and don't like being mean, upsetting people in any way so I'll delete his picture.
I'm sure we're all sick of being reminded just how poor our set pieces are anyhow.

Cheers. Nothing wrong with debating what value staff members are bringing to team performance and I agree our set pieces, especially corners, have been shocking, both defensively and offensively.

This bloke is going to be the first person to face scrutiny for this. I wonder whether it's possible that RDZ prefers to have the players practising passing movements rather than set pieces and that Stanley gets relatively little time to work on set pieces with the players, but that's just a guess. One thing's for sure - Tony will be looking into what's going on.

 

[jimhigham]

Out of interest, do you think Caicedo deserved to stay on the pitch?

Terrible refereeing on that front. Should’ve been down to 9.

There’s the clue. Down to 9. I reckon Caicedo would have been sent off if Chelsea had 11 on the pitch.

It’s garbage, of course, as the rules aren’t supposed to be flexed depending on previous offences.

Refs are probably guilty of a form of unconscious bias towards teams who have already had a player sent off, as they’re probably loath to be seen to be “picking” on them.

 

[Wardy's twin]

It's been an odd game today. Given we're down, I think, 10 starting players,I didn't really expect a great deal. To take it that close, after the game in Athens, is impressive.

Having said that, you'll win very, very few games going down 2-0 in the first 20 minutes. That's a statistical fact. Mr Bloom will confirm. So all the hot air about reffing is all well and good, but is not the reason we lost.

Still, a good effort today and our Stiffs are getting good opportunities to stake a claim for a starting place.

Yes part of the issue is players out but also think it is down to who we start with and that was down to the manager.

Lallana is a clever player but has no legs , can't run and so no drive forward or cover.

Not sure why we didn't start with Mitoma though I can understand giving Jao Pedro a rest.

Personally prefer to see Bart in goal as IMO he's a better shot stopper.

Overall though we are not shooting with conviction and too many passes rather than balls driven across the goal.

 

[maltaseagull]

Now maybe the time to let the fans hear what the conversation is between VAR and ref.

Far too transparent.

 

[maltaseagull]

There’s the clue. Down to 9. I reckon Caicedo would have been sent off if Chelsea had 11 on the pitch.

It’s garbage, of course, as the rules aren’t supposed to be flexed depending on previous offences.

Refs are probably guilty of a form of unconscious bias towards teams who have already had a player sent off, as they’re probably loath to be seen to be “picking” on them.

As they also do very often in the first 30 minutes as it might "spoil the game"

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

Yes part of the issue is players out but also think it is down to who we start with and that was down to the manager.

Lallana is a clever player but has no legs , can't run and so no drive forward or cover.

Not sure why we didn't start with Mitoma though I can understand giving Jao Pedro a rest.

Personally prefer to see Bart in goal as IMO he's a better shot stopper.

Overall though we are not shooting with conviction and too many passes rather than balls driven across the goal.

Was mentioned in the press conference that both Mitoma and Pedro were subject to late fitness tests and neither was likely to start.

 

[maltaseagull]

No red card

Look at the club badge. 115 charges and still no decision. Say no more.

 

[Wardy's twin]

Was mentioned in the press conference that both Mitoma and Pedro were subject to late fitness tests and neither was likely to start.

Yet when both came on both looked fitter than Lalanna.....

 

[METALMICKY]

Yes part of the issue is players out but also think it is down to who we start with and that was down to the manager.

Lallana is a clever player but has no legs , can't run and so no drive forward or cover.

Not sure why we didn't start with Mitoma though I can understand giving Jao Pedro a rest.

Personally prefer to see Bart in goal as IMO he's a better shot stopper.

Overall though we are not shooting with conviction and too many passes rather than balls driven across the goal.

How would have Bart's presence changed things today?

 

[Albion my Albion]

Shirley, they must review how many times VAR reviews go against BHA

 

[Questions]

Haha, that’s a very fair point! Football makes me rules so difficult and so open to interpretation unlike other sports. Just tell us what the rules are and enforce them, it’s so infuriating

Well they keep changing them. In the 50 odd years I’ve been playing it and watching it I don’t think the handball rule has stop jumping about ffs.

 

[OzMike]

Just woke up, looks like a bad tempered game, by a couple of reveiws.
I will watch after work.

 

[Wardy's twin]

How would have Bart's presence changed things today?

I think he is more dominant and MIGHT have got to the crosses for the goals, especially the first one. All a matter of opinion and what ifs but as much as I like Steele I hink Bart should be number 2.

 

[Arthritic Toe]

Has any referee after saying no penalty and asked to review onscreen EVER said no, I was right?

Yes and in our favour. Actually wasn’t a penalty situation but Lampteys first goal he ever scored for us in the first season of var, involved the ref being sent to the monitor and he stuck with his original decision

 

[fruitnveg]

It's almost as if we have 10 injuries and just played out of our skins in Europe on Thursday. Yep - you're right. Dogshit.

So we didn't give away two dead soft goals; because we have injuries, suspensions and played in Europe? I must have imagined it. Thats a relief, I love it when we beat Chelsea.

 

[American Seagle]

Why wasn't Jackson booked in the second half when he carried on and locked the ball in the goal!?
The inconsistency from referees I'm getting, quite frankly, really frustrating

 

[HalfaSeatOn]

Pre game shooting practice was not how it happened in game time. It was further out and tighter in game time and ended up in row 12 (literally!)