Lets just PAUSE - take a deep breath and ........

[somerset]

..... maintain an element of caution, yes keep this wave of optimism going, revel in the standard of the signings todate, dream perhaps of what MAY be possible next season,.... but..... never forget that teams like Leicester for example, bought ( or tried to buy) just about every player of significant ability and experience last year before the season started, but ended up flattering to deceive didnt they?

Yes, we have the Gus and the Amex factors, but lets adopt a sense of perspective, there are also a lot of other decent clubs who are also well equipped and managed...... its going to be massive.

 

[BigGully]

..... maintain an element of caution, yes keep this wave of optimism going, revel in the standard of the signings todate, dream perhaps of what MAY be possible next season,.... but..... never forget that teams like Leicester for example, bought ( or tried to buy) just about every player of significant ability and experience last year before the season started, but ended up flattering to deceive didnt they?

Yes, we have the Gus and the Amex factors, but lets adopt a sense of perspective, there are also a lot of other decent clubs who are also well equipped and managed...... its going to be massive.

It is so obvious that you are trying not to explode with excitement as you typed this ...... almost palpable

 

[bravohotelalpha]

..... maintain an element of caution, yes keep this wave of optimism going, revel in the standard of the signings todate, dream perhaps of what MAY be possible next season,.... but..... never forget that teams like Leicester for example, bought ( or tried to buy) just about every player of significant ability and experience last year before the season started, but ended up flattering to deceive didnt they?

Yes, we have the Gus and the Amex factors, but lets adopt a sense of perspective, there are also a lot of other decent clubs who are also well equipped and managed...... its going to be massive.

Quite understand your point - but i simply cant help feeling glad all over (bad fan)

 

[clippedgull]

Relegation battle all season, you heard it here first, and probably last.

 

[Surf's Up]

..... maintain an element of caution, yes keep this wave of optimism going, revel in the standard of the signings todate, dream perhaps of what MAY be possible next season,.... but..... never forget that teams like Leicester for example, bought ( or tried to buy) just about every player of significant ability and experience last year before the season started, but ended up flattering to deceive didnt they?

Yes, we have the Gus and the Amex factors, but lets adopt a sense of perspective, there are also a lot of other decent clubs who are also well equipped and managed...... its going to be massive.

Quite agree, this is an incredibly competitive division but I still can't stop wanking myself senseless over the way things are shaping up!

 

[peterward]

Agree with the OP, bristling with excitement in what has been the most radical change over 3 years the club has ever seen, watching a dire 0-0 away to Leicester under Micky Adams Pt 2, with shit free transfers to this....... its breathtaking.

BUT........ whilst TB is a legend and I know he loves the Albion, I just hope he is not following others like Leeds, Pompey and West Ham that are gambling with players/wages to reach the promised land. There are a lot of very very good players arriving with more to come, who aint cheap and whilst brimming with excitement about the team we will put out, can't help feeling slightly concerned with the level of debt the club is carrying and increasing wage bill.

I want to see the best team that we can actually afford, i hope this is it and can only trust TB's shrewd judgment, but sustainability and affordability must never be lost.

 

[Surf's Up]

Agree with the OP, bristling with excitement in what has been the most radical change over 3 years the club has ever seen, watching a dire 0-0 away to Leicester under Micky Adams Pt 2, with shit free transfers to this....... its breathtaking.

BUT........ whilst TB is a legend and I know he loves the Albion, I just hope he is not following others like Leeds, Pompey and West Ham that are gambling with players/wages to reach the promised land. There are a lot of very very good players arriving with more to come, who aint cheap and whilst brimming with excitement about the team we will put out, can't help feeling slightly concerned with the level of debt the club is carrying and increasing wage bill.

I want to see the best team that we can actually afford, i hope this is it and can only trust TB's shrewd judgment, but sustainability and affordability must never be lost.

So I should stop abusing myself?

 

[somerset]

can't help feeling slightly concerned with the level of debt the club is carrying and increasing wage bill.

........................ but sustainability and affordability must never be lost.

I am not overly concerned with this, we know from everything that Gus, Tony, Perry have said over the last year or so, that they will NOT overstretch. FFP is their guide and although I am certain they a pushing the boat out a bit this year, most of that stretch is sustained through the massive income levels we have seen, both within the football side of the club, and the corporate/commercial side... both of which are thriving.

Key point is that TB is not a mug, he isnt a billionaire, he knows the limits, and he isnt about to gamble away his lifes work.

 

[clippedgull]

Agree with the OP, bristling with excitement in what has been the most radical change over 3 years the club has ever seen, watching a dire 0-0 away to Leicester under Micky Adams Pt 2, with shit free transfers to this....... its breathtaking.

BUT........ whilst TB is a legend and I know he loves the Albion, I just hope he is not following others like Leeds, Pompey and West Ham that are gambling with players/wages to reach the promised land. There are a lot of very very good players arriving with more to come, who aint cheap and whilst brimming with excitement about the team we will put out, can't help feeling slightly concerned with the level of debt the club is carrying and increasing wage bill.

I want to see the best team that we can actually afford, i hope this is it and can only trust TB's shrewd judgment, but sustainability and affordability must never be lost.

As we all know Tony B has invested a lot in the infrastructure of the club, the Premier League is where he will recoup his investment fastest. He hasn't put a foot wrong yet and i'm sure he knows what he is doing. Relax, as supporters we have zero influence in business matters, if Bloom goes for bust thats his call, but he is not stupid.

 

[pork pie]

I hope you are wrong, but feel you may be right about it being a strong league next year. All the more reason to feel gutted about how we blew our chance at the end of last year.

One thing is certain, we will give it a real go this year.

 

[Mellotron]

Key point is that TB is not a mug, he is a billionaire, he knows the limits, and he isnt about to gamble away his lifes work.

Corrected.

 

[somerset]

Corrected.

I certainly wasn't under the impression he had that much dosh!!!

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

Yes but Gus with Championship/Premier players (we are getting a few now) and playing his way? i wish Gus would manage England one day...

 

[Beach Hut]

No chance bearing in mind around 3 years ago we had players like Hawkins etc I am getting very excited

 

[withdeanwombat]

Everything will be done to a carefully thought out business plan.

The season tickets are sold.

The Harveys is being prepared.

The pies are in the microwave as I type !

 

[Peterrhodes]

I agree, we can't assume anything and people need to be ready to support Gus even if the season isn't as great as we are dreaming. There is however no harm in hoping for better and the squad is certainly that.

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

Well my wife was ecstatic with the news last night and she does not even like football she wants to pass on her heartfelt thanks to everyone connected to Brighton and Hove Albion football club.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

It's my birthday today - 59 - and my first match was at the Goldstone somewhere around 1967 - not totally sure but it was v QPR in the Christmas period. 45(?) years later I don't think I have ever felt so optimistic as a Brighton fan. I found out about the Vicente thing at about 4 minutes past midnight last night - whaat a birthday present.

It does have to be tempered with a healthy dose of realism, in that there are a lot of other clubs with capable management and good squads, and I would still be happy with a finish higher than last year for the coming season, but can't help tinking that - if Gus can bring the best out of what we have, it could be so much better than 10th.

Look where our recent signings have come from, when set against the idea of signing players from Bristol City, Harrow and Wealdstone or Hereford - just clubs picked at random and no slight intended againsy anyone who might have come from those clubs..

I was thinking this morning whether Tomasz Cashewnut will be better than Brian Powney, who was a hero to me as a kid. Powney is easier to spell, just as Napier is easier to spell and uses a lot less ink than Mackail-Smith. Other than that.... well!

Not taking anything for granted but, as Bette Davis once said: "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night".... or season - and bumpy hopefully meaning exciting.

 

[Big Jim]

Break wind ?

 

[Big Jim]

It's my birthday today - 59 -.

Happy Birthday David.