I don't think we need a new CT/CM to go up, and here's why.

[Silent Bob]

When Dicker is at his best he can do somethings good, not great, good. I thought his main problem last season was that he was playing against players beyond his physical limitations. He hasn't got enough pace, speed of thought or ability to harry and tackle back. He is also a bit of a Jonah with us not winning for something like 11 games when he was in the starting 11 - a run that stretched before and after his leg break.

Sparrow on the other can give winning contributions to games - think the Southampton game at home. He is also stronger in the tackle and better at driving the team forward. I agree he has gone missing from games in the past but when got a run in the team he just looked a far superior player to Dicker. To claim that Dicker should perhaps not get such a knocking because he contributed to a title in the league below, two years ago, is ludicrous. Football moves on. Dicker isn't good enough anymore.

Well maybe you want to get in touch with whoever suggested that rather than me, but I'd say they've still got the suggestion that a guy who has never been good enough for the first team is just what we need to push on to the next level beaten in the reasonable suggestion stakes.

 

[element]

From this, on Seagulls World, it seems GP is optimistic about a couple of targets. Perhaps they're the two missing pieces of the puzzle? He has won a division, had a crack at the Championship, and probably now has a feel for what it would take to get us up. Sounds very promising for me...

'By Will Jago

Gus Poyet is pleased with his side's pre-season progress following this evening's 5-1 win over Portsmouth.

First-half goals from Will Hoskins, Matt Sparrow and Vicente, allied to efforts from Romain Vincelot and Toby Agdestein after the break, made for a comfortable work-out at Barcelo Montecastillo.

Poyet told seagulls.co.uk, "That game was important for different reasons. We have got to get minutes under our belts and there were three players who completed 90 minutes, and six or seven who completed 70 minutes - that's good.

"There were good goals and good actions and of course people will talk about Vicente's goal because as soon as he hit it we knew it was going in. Overall it was a great game for us at this point in pre-season.

"Now for Saturday we'd like to have one of the left-backs fit enough to play, although we know that Romain can play in that position.

"Wayne Bridge is desperate to play because he has not had the chance to put on a Brighton shirt yet. He has a great chance for Saturday and it would be great to see him on the pitch."

The Albion boss also admitted that he is edging closer to bringing in more new faces.

"We are in a better position now than we were yesterday. We will have to see because we are in the closing stages of a couple of negotiations - I just hope that we can finish them.

"Sometimes you get really close and then they go away for whatever reason, but we are certainly in a better situation than we were in last week, so hopefully we'll be able to get one of the two within the next few days." '

 

[Biscuit]

Too many games last season where we we're completely bullied around the midfield, it was so frustrating to watch. We definitely need a CM.

We were over run in midfield on occasions yes, but that doesn't necessarily mean a new center midfielder is the answer. It's about the way we play with the players we've got. Better wing backs will take the pressure off whoever plays along Bridcutt. Yes, a new CM would be lovely, but I think a Sparrow/Dicker combo could 'do the job'.

I actually think Sparrow could be really useful for us and am surprised at the number of people underestimating him!

 

[One Love]

I would bet money we could go up without a new striker. Between them;

CMS
Barnes
Hoskins
Vicente
LuaLua
Buckley
Noone
Sparrow
New CM

Could easily get us enough goals to be promoted.

So you are confident that the players that didn't get us enough goals last year will next year!

For a while I have realised that you are a major optimist. It's like you won't entertain any line of thought that isn't positive about the team or any individual.

I personally feel that this coming season the Championship is going to be far more competitive. We have strengthened in some key areas but desparately need better players in midfield and up front.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

The Albion boss also admitted that he is edging closer to bringing in more new faces.

"We are in a better position now than we were yesterday. We will have to see because we are in the closing stages of a couple of negotiations - I just hope that we can finish them.

"Sometimes you get really close and then they go away for whatever reason, but we are certainly in a better situation than we were in last week, so hopefully we'll be able to get one of the two within the next few days." '

Excellent news.

 

[Biscuit]

So you are confident that the players that didn't get us enough goals last year will next year!

I really don't see why this shouldn't be the case. We are a team that builds from the back rather than looking for one 'target' aka the Brighton of old with Zamora leading the line.

Seeing as we build from the back to score goals, and our back has seriously improved from last season, why shouldn't our attacking players score more goals? They'll surely be receiving more service of a higher quality.

 

[One Love]

I don't think it was the lack of service from our fullbacks that was the problem. Mattock and Calderon were pretty good in that department. The problem was the lack of service from midfield and the ability of the strikers to make the most of it.

That won't change unless we improve quality in midfield and attack.

 

[Turkey]

We were over run in midfield on occasions yes, but that doesn't necessarily mean a new center midfielder is the answer. It's about the way we play with the players we've got. Better wing backs will take the pressure off whoever plays along Bridcutt. Yes, a new CM would be lovely, but I think a Sparrow/Dicker combo could 'do the job'.

I actually think Sparrow could be really useful for us and am surprised at the number of people underestimating him!

Sparrow's a bit incosistant I think which is one of the reason I think he struggled to nail down a spot in the team.

 

[sir albion]

I get where your coming from biscuit,but we need to dominate the midfield so quality is required

 

[sir albion]

Worth remembering that for a small period last season , Sparrow was class and our best player. Unfortunately he got injured or sent off ? and never got back to where he was. Certainly showed he can be a real handful in this league but for me as a back up.

In small period you mean 3 games?sparrow sadly has 3 good games a season.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Gd to c Hoskins et al showing..but a plan b target man and an experienced midfielder who sticks it in the net is still going to b necessary ....it's a squad game these days

 

[Mellotron]

So you are confident that the players that didn't get us enough goals last year will next year!

For a while I have realised that you are a major optimist. It's like you won't entertain any line of thought that isn't positive about the team or any individual.

I personally feel that this coming season the Championship is going to be far more competitive. We have strengthened in some key areas but desparately need better players in midfield and up front.

I think I am an optimistic realist. I have in the past been critical of CMS, Crofts and others.

You could've said exactly the same about Murray and Barnes in the pre-season before we VIOLATED League One, couldn't you?

Strengthening the defence has a knock on effect for midfield and attack. They are not 3 completely independent parts that have no bearing on each other.

 

[Lethargic]

I can see where you are coming from and I think the striker has become less critical but I still think a dominant midfielder is essential most of our central midfielders are fine squad players but we still need someone to dominate specifically against the more physical sides. In a strange way I think our current midfielders would do better in the premiership than the championship.

 

[Stat Brother]

So you are confident that the players that didn't get us enough goals last year will next year!

For a while I have realised that you are a major optimist. It's like you won't entertain any line of thought that isn't positive about the team or any individual.

I personally feel that this coming season the Championship is going to be far more competitive. We have strengthened in some key areas but desparately need better players in midfield and up front.

[MENTION=12101]Mellotron[/MENTION]'s list, is one that was ravaged by injury, loan, suspensions and defensive cover.
Only CMS has attack orientated time on the pitch.

IF we are not under the cosh, through the midfield, there's no reason why at least half of those players can't shine, in an attacking team.

 

[Mellotron]

[MENTION=12101]Mellotron[/MENTION]'s list, is one that was ravaged by injury, loan, suspensions and defensive cover.
Only CMS has attack orientated time on the pitch.

IF we are not under the cosh, through the midfield, there's on reason why at least half of those players can't shine, in an attacking team.

Correct. It's bizarre to assume all of those players will simply perform exactly as last season.

 

[Lifelong Supporter]

Vicente will need to be 'nursed' through the season and will not be starting all the games. I personally see no prospect of us 'going up' with the current squad. The players so far purchased in the close season will add defensive stability but we need a good proven championship midfielder and striker if we are to dominate games and challenge at the top of the table.

I feel there is an interesting year ahead. More season tickets sold, more expectation, less patience from the fans, players less confident etc. A challenging year ahead for Mr Gus and maybe a defining one in his managerial career.

 

[One Love]

Correct. It's bizarre to assume all of those players will simply perform exactly as last season.

Oh, has someone assumed that then?

 

[Biscuit]

I don't think it was the lack of service from our fullbacks that was the problem. Mattock and Calderon were pretty good in that department. The problem was the lack of service from midfield and the ability of the strikers to make the most of it.

That won't change unless we improve quality in midfield and attack.

I hear what you're saying but when we walked league one it wasn't because of our central midfield pairing - it was because our wingbacks were good enough to become extra bodies in the midfield. Of course an excellent CM would help but Gus has shown time and time again that the most important position in terms of the way we play is full-back. It's they who hold the key to creating goal scoring opportunities and not the 'creative' central midfielder of old.

I honestly would be happy I'd the widow closed tomorrow. We have a great squad and I think we'll be contenders. Having said that if we can bring in quality like Nicky Bailey we would be an absolute force.

As [MENTION=5]Turkey[/MENTION] says, we are in a very good position squad wise.

 

[BensGrandad]

]I'd have a Shaun Derry/Andrew Crofts type in the middle[/B] to compliment Vicente.....nothing spectacular but does the nuts and bolts of the game really well.

Derry and Crofts are two totally different types of midfield players and cannot be compared with each other both are good at the job they do but it is an entirely different job for each player.

 

[dingodan]

Vicente will need to be 'nursed' through the season and will not be starting all the games. I personally see no prospect of us 'going up' with the current squad. The players so far purchased in the close season will add defensive stability but we need a good proven championship midfielder and striker if we are to dominate games and challenge at the top of the table.

I feel there is an interesting year ahead. More season tickets sold, more expectation, less patience from the fans, players less confident etc. A challenging year ahead for Mr Gus and maybe a defining one in his managerial career.

Vicente was not "nursed" through the end of last season, and he had not had a pre-season last season. He will have most of pre-season this season, and Gus said he is fitter than he has seen him before. Played well and for most of the match against Portsmouth, no injuries that I am aware of, so I'm not sure where you are coming from with you comment on Vicente.

The defense won't be "stable", it will be a very strong defense.

The fans will be less patient? the players less confident? I'm not sure where you are coming from there either, while it would be nice, I don't think fans are demanding immediate promotion. And the players/team had a great season last season, and now have a full seasons experience together in this league.

No prospect of promotion with our current squad? I don't share your opinion here either, in fact I think most would credit us with one of the stronger sides in the Championship even as things stand.

You seem unnecessarily pessimistic.

Everything will be fine