[Albion] Luton Town vs Brighton & Hove Albion *** Official Match Thread ***

[BN41Albion]

17 points from 16 games = 1.06 points per game x 38 = 40 points. if it's not relegation, it's not far off it.

That run has been book-ended by thrashings against Villa and Luton and includes games at home to Sheff Utd, Burnley, Fulham and away to Luton, Everton and Palace so it's an even spread of opposition. And nearly every side has had long injury lists this season.

We're obviously not going down this season but our poor form for quite a while is a real worry.

I prefer to look at the fact we've got 32 points from 22 games. Our injury list has been pretty much the worst bar one or two bigger clubs with more money, we've had Europa to content with and now in the 5th round of the Cup.
Confident that once we finally get more of the squad back we'll pick up more points again. Don't think it'll be enough for Europe again this season but we have absolutely no right to finish in the European spots again anyway considering who we are and our budget etc - anyone who thinks we should be needs to give their head a wobble, especially considering it's very common for clubs our size to have a dip in form in the league when in Europe

 

[Bold Seagull]

Roberto de Zerbi, speaking to BBC Match of the Day:

"We did not play. It was a blackout. We have to remember this day."

"We played badly, not one player played well, and our substitutes too. Everyone has to take responsibility."

"Luton played a great game. We knew how difficult this game would be. I feel sorry for the fans. We are all responsible, myself first of all."

"We are suffering from this result more than people can think."

On whether his team have to respond:

"Of course."

As good as could have been expected. Class as always.

 

[Mancgull]

Roberto de Zerbi, speaking to BBC Match of the Day:

"We did not play. It was a blackout. We have to remember this day."

"We played badly, not one player played well, and our substitutes too. Everyone has to take responsibility."

"Luton played a great game. We knew how difficult this game would be. I feel sorry for the fans. We are all responsible, myself first of all."

"We are suffering from this result more than people can think."

On whether his team have to respond:

"Of course."

I’m glad he responded in this way. I don’t want to see that type of performance versus Palace.

 

[Berty23]

Just watched back the highlights.

Facundo B had his best game for us at blades but I think this was his worst. His error led to first goal (although it was a bit unlucky with the header being deflected in by someone else). He also gave it away later in the half and Steele saved.

Steele went walkabout but where was Pervis?

Pervis with an awful pass set up the third.

Pedro flick on.

I am inclined to think that the goals were a bit weird in their nature.

We are going to batter palace.

 

[jimhigham]

17 points from 16 games = 1.06 points per game x 38 = 40 points. if it's not relegation, it's not far off it.

That run has been book-ended by thrashings against Villa and Luton and includes games at home to Sheff Utd, Burnley, Fulham and away to Luton, Everton and Palace so it's an even spread of opposition. And nearly every side has had long injury lists this season.

We're obviously not going down this season but our poor form for quite a while is a real worry.

It really does begin to feel as if we’ve had our eyes on the cup competitions to the detriment of the bread and butter stuff.

 

[Quebec Seagull]

Glad RDZ didn't go full Conte.

.

 

[Berty23]

It really does begin to feel as if we’ve had our eyes on the cup competitions to the detriment of the bread and butter stuff.

I really don’t have a problem with that. There is no point qualifying for Europe if you don’t try to win it. I would rather we concentrate on trying to win a trophy than the league. If we win a trophy then we get into Europe anyway.

To be honest i would not mind winning a trophy and being relegated that much. I just want to see us win a top level trophy at some point in my life. All those titles and promotions and relegations 20 years ago were great fun. If our aim becomes to be top 7 every year and play the reserves in the cups then what is the point? Yes we will make money but that isn’t exciting.

 

[Littlemo]

There’s also a good post match interview from Dunk. I’ve seen some club captains not be interviewed after bad results, he definitely doesn’t shirk away from the responsibility.

 

[OzMike]

I thought all we had to do was turn up !

 

[Justice]

RDZ is well-spoken in his post-match press conference.

But let's see if Brighton do respond against Crystal Palace.

He didn’t seem as confident re a response after Villa and Everton he said next game you will see the real Brighton, this was err I hope we respond.

 

[Krafty]

...

 

[Krafty]

I feel so proud that De Zerbi is the manager of my football club.

An incredible person who loves football and this club so very much, and brought us to levels never seen before.

It will fill me with great sadness once he leaves but I will wish him the very best of luck for his future.

 

[The Rivet]

I'm sure this has been said before but still. I love De Zerbi attacking football and his philosophy about that aspect of the game. However when it comes to the EPL I am not too sure. He seems a little naive concerning this league and that anyone can beat anyone on the day. He has made so many inept selection decisions when playing those at the bottom of the table I am convinced he doesn't get it! ( I appreciate we are missing many players)

 

[dazzer6666]

Just got home (80 mins vs 180 to get there).

Out-thought, outfought, outmuscled, outplayed. Embarrassing performance all round, even Dunk was schooled.

Good post-match comments from DeZ. Worried about Saturday now

 

[dwayne]

Just got home (80 mins vs 180 to get there).

Out-thought, outfought, outmuscled, outplayed. Embarrassing performance all round, even Dunk was schooled.

Good post-match comments from DeZ. Worried about Saturday now

Nahhhh we are good at home. Olise and Eze maybe both out. We will at least draw im sure.

 

[dazzer6666]

Nahhhh we are good at home. Olise and Eze maybe both out. We will at least draw im sure.

0-0

 

[nwgull]

bad news for Palace. Having just seen Michael Olise limp off, fellow key forward Eberechi Eze is now down and needs treatment. Only positive tonight?

Even on the shittiest

0-0

1-1

Get on laaaarge.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

RDZ is well-spoken in his post-match press conference.

But let's see if Brighton do respond against Crystal Palace.

We had better. I HATE this match. And it's a 4 h drive there and back.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I feel so proud that De Zerbi is the manager of my football club.

An incredible person who loves football and this club so very much, and brought us to levels never seen before.

It will fill me with great sadness once he leaves but I will wish him the very best of luck for his future.

Has he left yet?

 

[seagullwedgee]

If you’re Palarse, you will have watched the last couple of match videos, and you’ll go at us very very hard, early, persistently, with maximum physicality. It’s f***ing obvious.

We lack any form of enforcer, physicality, foot-in, in our entire squad. Scrapping struggling opponents know this, and step up the physicality to make a genuine point of difference. Seriously, who, if anyone, is our enforcer? We really do not have one. No one. Sort it.