Hartlepool United versus Brighton and Hove Albion Official Match Thread

[dougdeep]

ffs its only are 5th loss away from home all year and we are on a great run

No, it's the first.

 

[HP Seagull]

I just don't see anything in him. The goal against Tranmere was a joke anyway, as I'd have saved that. To think we got rid of Forster for that is quite amazing, but as we've nothing to play for I guess it doesn't matter.

As for Crofts, I'd argue the way we struggled in midfield against Southampton shows just how limited he (and Navarro) are, and just not up to the standard we require. I didn't go today, but we didn't miss him because, quite frankly, he doesn't do anything. I watched him against Southampton for 15 minutes making a point of counting the number of times he touched the ball. The answer? ONE.

On your first point; if you don't shoot, you don't score. How many goals has Forster scored where he doesn't hit the ball cleanly, but because he's had a go and got it on target, he's managed to score. Also, you know as well as I do that the circumstances surrounding Forster's exit were far from straight forward.

From what I've seen Barnes is lively and willing to work for the side, and two goals after one start is more than enough for me, coupled with his performances, to give him time to prove himself. Not every 20-year-old striker you bring in is going to perform like Wayne Rooney straight away, which is what you seem to expect.

You've brought out your "I watched Crofts for 15 minutes...." argument several times and despite having no evidence for this, I don't believe you. Why, in easily the most exciting and heated game we've had a Withdean this season, would you spend 15 minutes with your eyes trained on Crofts? Unless your obsession with trying to prove Crofts' worthlessness is over-taking your love of watching the Albion. He was excellent on Thursday and did well defensively, as well as getting forward at every opportunity and having several shots. He will be the first name on Gus' team sheet without a doubt.

 

[Rookie]

I don't expect miracles and Rooney-type performances. I just expect something resembling skill and/or effectiveness. Despite no goals, I've actually been more impressed with Holroyd than I have with Barnes, as at least he's quick and offers us a different way of playing.

And, to prove my point, I do sometimes just count the number of times Crofts touches the ball. He's like Hammond. Does his best to look busy but, at the end of the day, he's just not good enough to get near the ball.

By Hammond, you mean captain of every club he has been at? Seriously you need to play the game and then comment on midfield players. Poyet likes Crofts and gave him the captains armband so must see something in him.

 

[HP Seagull]

I don't expect miracles and Rooney-type performances. I just expect something resembling skill and/or effectiveness. Despite no goals, I've actually been more impressed with Holroyd than I have with Barnes, as at least he's quick and offers us a different way of playing.

And, to prove my point, I do sometimes just count the number of times Crofts touches the ball. He's like Hammond. Does his best to look busy but, at the end of the day, he's just not good enough to get near the ball.

Well we'll just have to wait and see about Barnes. Maybe it will turn out that he isn't good enough, but in his two appearances that I've seen, it looks like he could well prove to be a decent player with a good eye for goal. It was a brilliantly taken header on Thursday by the way, despite the fact that he will have been expected to score.

I generally accept and respect other people's opinions, including yours, no matter how different they may be to mine but, where Crofts is concerned, you are quite simply wrong in every sense. I honestly, no matter how hard I try, can find no evidence to back up your views about him. "Not good enough to get near the ball"? That is quite simply laughable and I think everyone on this forum with the exception of five, maybe ten posters, will agree with me.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

I suppose Gus now knows that Hoyte is not good enough for us and we need a decent striker to partner Muzza. What has VirGo done to be left on the bench ?

 

[Finchley Seagull]

I suppose Gus now knows that Hoyte is not good enough for us and we need a decent striker to partner Muzza. What has VirGo done to be left on the bench ?

Obviously I can't read Poyet's mind but I imagine he wanted to change the defence as little as possible and Virgo would have meant moving El Abd to full back. Interesting to see who plays on Saturday.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Obviously I can't read Poyet's mind but I imagine he wanted to change the defence as little as possible and Virgo would have meant moving El Abd to full back. Interesting to see who plays on Saturday.

Also VirGo is prone to getting red cards.

 

[portslade seagull]

Yes...we lose Murray and Painter and suddenly we are fallible again. Has Hoyte played this year ? Maybe it was law of averages..unbeaten away since December.
I said when Forster went that we were relying solely on Murray. No disrespect to Holroyd and Barnes but they are lightweight and the huge hole left by Forster is only apparent when Murray isn't there.
The very best we can achieve this season is 11th ( 10th has 57 pts at present ) so we should push hard in the last 6 games for a ' top half ' finish.

We will def need a new striker next season unless on the the loanees comes back.....we will struggle if Holroyd is up there...sorry but he is another Dixon

 

[Sheebo]

Your opinions continue to amaze me. Barnes has done extremely well in his two substitute appearances and scored two goals. He played up front on his own today against physical opposition and by all accounts did well.

I was slightly bemused by his signing, having been at Eastbourne last year, but I have seen enough to suggest that he has something to offer us. He is only 20 after all.

You might be right when you say Gus will have better in by next season and I hope you're right, but to write Barnes off after one full appearance sums you up really.

Oh, and today showed how much we miss Crofts, but you will no doubt continue, in vein, to disagree.

Spot on mate - esp the Crofts comment

 

[Horney]

It often happens that a mid table team, which we are, having had a long run of matches, will lose to a more determined team that is fighting for it's life.

I don't think it is anything to overly worry about. Indeed, Gus should learn more about his players from a game such as this.

What Gus learnt some time ago is that this team cannot come back when the opposition score first.
Played 16 Won 0 Drawn 2 Lost 14
This fragility has to change otherwise we won't be in the hunt next season.

 

[Sheebo]

Everyone CHILL you can't win every game and 99% this game won't have any major bearing on our season - ie we'll stay up.

Except losing better pls people!

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

We were due a blip. Disappointing - but no real harm in that. Bring everyone back to reality a little. We all know there are new faces needed but we also know that we have the nucleus of a very good team if we can sign the key loanees and bring in one or three new faces.

 

[lichfield seagulls]

I had
Us (Lost 0-2)
West Brom (drawing 1-1)
Leicester (won 4-0)
Swansea (won 3-0)
Norwich (won 2-1)
Southampton (won 2-1)
& Luton (won 6-0)

Returned £88.24 from £4

At least it we weren't the only Albion team that let my bet down. (awaits very late West Brom winner)

Swansea,Southampton,middlsbrough,Bury. all won
northampton draw and we oh well.