Renewed optimism

[Simster]

Even as recently as last Thursday, I can't say I was excited about the new season, but it has to be said I'm feeling quite bullish about the way the club has turned itself around in the summer. We've signed Sir Steve as manager and he has busily gone about building a side capable of possibly getting us back up. OK, Zamora's gone but if someone had suggested a striker of Leon Knight's class was going to replace him, I'd have been more than happy.

Albion hit form for big kick-off
by Andy Naylor

Albion are geared up for the big kick-off at Oldham on Saturday after ending pre-season on a high at Withdean last night.

The Seagulls beat Micky Adams' Premiership new boys Leicester 3-2, their fifth friendly win out of six, with an 85th-minute goal by Nathan Jones.

Boss Steve Coppell is not reading too much into the result but is satisfied with the way the build up to Saturday's first League fixture at Boundary Park has gone.

"I never get carried away by pre-season games, certainly against Premiership opposition, because they are a week behind and obviously play well within themselves," Coppell said.

"From my point of view I couldn't have asked for anything more. We had a run-out for almost everyone that is fit at the moment and the indications that have been coming through pre-season were enhanced a little bit.

"Individuals pushed themselves forward a bit more and going into the first game on Saturday I have to say pre-season has gone well.

"We had the one hiccup against Yeovil in terms of result and to a certain extent performance, but all in all I cannot complain. We are now set for the real stuff."

On-loan Chelsea forward Leon Knight struck his third goal in as many games in the first half. Dan Harding laid it on as well as Gary Hart's opening header.

"Leon has done all we have asked of him in the short time he has been here," said Coppell. "He has given us a different option from last year and I am convinced he can score goals.

"We have just got to find the right combinations around him and trust he doesn't get injured.

"Harding, Chris McPhee and Adam Hinshelwood have really pushed on and showed they won't let us down if they had to play, either on Saturday or during the course of the season."

Kerry Mayo was ruled out by a bug and John Piercy continues to be sidelined by an unrelated stomach illness.

A public holiday in Ireland has further delayed international clearance for Carl Wilson-Denis, but Albion have been promised it today so that he can play for the reserves at Lewes tonight.

Coppell could make another signing before the game at Oldham.

He revealed: "There is a possibility, but we have to depend on the domino theory. A bigger club has to do something, that has a chain effect and we pick up the dregs!"

Meanwhile, the British representative of Andrei Kanchelskis believes there is a 50-50-chance of the former Manchester United winger signing for Albion.

Andrew Blocksage says Kanchelskis, currently training with the Seagulls, has big money offers to play in Russia and Japan but is keen to stay based in East Grinstead.

And as for that last bit - the odds of us signing Kanchelskis are now 50/50!! We're talking about an ex Man U, Everton and Rangers player signing for the Albion!

 

[bigc]

definitely

plus the young players finally seem to be showing the potential we've been promised.

roll on saturday

 

[CHAPPERS]

Too right Simster.

This season is going to be a good one again i think. With Coppell at the helm we could do very well. Just one more striker and a dangerous midfielder and we have one of the top three teams in the division. I can't wait to see who else Stevie C gets in on loan, maybe a couple of Man United youngsters and if we can sign Kanchelskis, well, we would destroy some teams.

One thing that has been created in the last couple of years is a strong backbone. Roberts, Cullip, Chippy and Knight this year with the players around them we a have a very solid base.

 

[Simster]

Yeah that's another thing. Coppell has gone on record saying that he's still got money to play with and that he'll use it later in the season.

*If* Kanchelskis signs, then Leon Knight is going to score for fun. Incidentally if Knight gets rave reviews, I wouldn't worry too much about him being poached. Apart from the fact that Coppell has "rescued" him from the Chelski reserves and will be owed some sort of loyalty in return, I think we'll have the money to pay him what he's worth when it comes round to negotiating his longer term contract.

Looks like we might go up afterall.

 

[Albion Dan]

I am actually buzzing with optimism this morning and think that Steve will bring in 3 or 4 gems this season on loan or free transfers as the season pans out ala Sidwell and Ingar. If he can get anything like that sort of quality here as well as Knight we are in for some good times me thinks.

 

[Herne Hill Seagull]

If Ingimarsson gets nowhere near the Wolves first team, anybody think there's any chance of a return for him? I thought he was a decent player, really solid.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

If Ingimarsson gets nowhere near the Wolves first team, anybody think there's any chance of a return for him? I thought he was a decent player, really solid.

He was good, but isn't what we need. Striker is the priority

 

[WATFORD O]

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