I appreciate most of you probably saw the match on Sky, but here is my insight into how the game went:
First of all, to all the fans who were saying it is a rubbish away day, I have no idea what you were talking about. I had a thoroughly enjoyable experience that was only spoiled by the mostly lacklustre game.
The stadium:
Ok it's not the best of stadiums, but it's certainly not the worst I've been to this year. A good atmosphere can be created at times.
The pie: A fairly good balti pie, not the best I've ever had, but did the job.
The fans:
Brighton - our fans were very noisy to start off with, but as the first half went on, we went very quiet, perhaps in frustration to how the game was going. Picked up again in the second half, and got behind the team to lift them to score a goal.
Colchester - some of the friendliest, most welcoming fans I've chatted to. The ones I spoke to were very complimentary of our season, our setup and the Amex, and one of them even voluntarily showed me to the bar and to the away turnstiles. During the game, there was a very poor turnout from them and they weren't particularly lively. Perhaps expected for a mid-table team on a bank holiday monday.
The match:
Brighton were very average in the first half and never really got going. To be honest, Colchester outplayed us and, considering they had a reputation as hoofball merchants, played some very good passing football, albeit quite direct. In the second half Brighton were much better and created some good chances, but still never really reached our best.
The players:
Ankergren: Got subbed early on through injury and didn't really have much involvement. Should have been taken off straight away as it arguably led to the goal we conceded.
Painter: Exactly what we have come to expect from Marcos. Not a stand out performer, but consistent and reliable. Also made some good runs forward.
Elphick: Defended ok, though looked a bit uncomfortable on the ball at times.
Dunk: Not a brilliant performance, but all the same, looks to fit into our style perfectly. Comfortable on the ball and always moving into spaces looking for the pass. Showed his inexperience at times, but will only get better.
Calderon: Quite a good match for the Spaniard, combined well with the midfield to get forward, though he sometimes got caught too far forward.
Dicker: Seemed to go missing for much of the game. Never really got control of the ball and gave away too many passes.
Navarro: Disappointing performance, didn't manage to do the same job that Bridcutt has done so well this year. Gave away far too many passes.
Bennett: Comfortable performance without excelling. Made some good attacking contributions, including the assist for the goal.
Noone: Man of the match for me. Looked to be our only creative outlet for much of the match, looked very lively and made the Colchester defense look very nervous.
Barnes: Very strong performance and always looked like scoring. Well taken goal, and our best outfield player after Noone.
Wood: Won some good headers, but didn't get into the game an awful lot. Had two or three good chances and perhaps should have put at least one of them away.
Sub:
Brezovan: Very solid when he came on and made some fantastic saves. Kept us in the game on a few occasions and was very reassuring.
All in all, a good away day that was slightly tarnished by a distinctly average performance by Brighton. Will definitely go again if we get the chance in the future.
First of all, to all the fans who were saying it is a rubbish away day, I have no idea what you were talking about. I had a thoroughly enjoyable experience that was only spoiled by the mostly lacklustre game.
The stadium:
Ok it's not the best of stadiums, but it's certainly not the worst I've been to this year. A good atmosphere can be created at times.
The pie: A fairly good balti pie, not the best I've ever had, but did the job.
The fans:
Brighton - our fans were very noisy to start off with, but as the first half went on, we went very quiet, perhaps in frustration to how the game was going. Picked up again in the second half, and got behind the team to lift them to score a goal.
Colchester - some of the friendliest, most welcoming fans I've chatted to. The ones I spoke to were very complimentary of our season, our setup and the Amex, and one of them even voluntarily showed me to the bar and to the away turnstiles. During the game, there was a very poor turnout from them and they weren't particularly lively. Perhaps expected for a mid-table team on a bank holiday monday.
The match:
Brighton were very average in the first half and never really got going. To be honest, Colchester outplayed us and, considering they had a reputation as hoofball merchants, played some very good passing football, albeit quite direct. In the second half Brighton were much better and created some good chances, but still never really reached our best.
The players:
Ankergren: Got subbed early on through injury and didn't really have much involvement. Should have been taken off straight away as it arguably led to the goal we conceded.
Painter: Exactly what we have come to expect from Marcos. Not a stand out performer, but consistent and reliable. Also made some good runs forward.
Elphick: Defended ok, though looked a bit uncomfortable on the ball at times.
Dunk: Not a brilliant performance, but all the same, looks to fit into our style perfectly. Comfortable on the ball and always moving into spaces looking for the pass. Showed his inexperience at times, but will only get better.
Calderon: Quite a good match for the Spaniard, combined well with the midfield to get forward, though he sometimes got caught too far forward.
Dicker: Seemed to go missing for much of the game. Never really got control of the ball and gave away too many passes.
Navarro: Disappointing performance, didn't manage to do the same job that Bridcutt has done so well this year. Gave away far too many passes.
Bennett: Comfortable performance without excelling. Made some good attacking contributions, including the assist for the goal.
Noone: Man of the match for me. Looked to be our only creative outlet for much of the match, looked very lively and made the Colchester defense look very nervous.
Barnes: Very strong performance and always looked like scoring. Well taken goal, and our best outfield player after Noone.
Wood: Won some good headers, but didn't get into the game an awful lot. Had two or three good chances and perhaps should have put at least one of them away.
Sub:
Brezovan: Very solid when he came on and made some fantastic saves. Kept us in the game on a few occasions and was very reassuring.
All in all, a good away day that was slightly tarnished by a distinctly average performance by Brighton. Will definitely go again if we get the chance in the future.
The steward who fell over.
