[Albion] The annual waiting for the upper tiers to open thread.

[Weststander]

Won’t be able to say anything until Wednesday’s match is over and injuries and fitness have been assessed. I think we’ll see Glenn, balogan, Bernardo, steele or button, bong, schellotto, plus Ali, Connolly, Stephens, gross and Alzate if they don’t play against Chelsea, plus a few U23s.

I’d love to see a starting line up including:

Baluta
Bong
Davies
Jenks
Gwargis
Cochrane
Richards

 

[dazzer6666]

They were both swollen by massive travelling audiences, although I understand there will be a 4,000+ audience from Sheffield.

They don’t currently have any more seating allocated than a normal PL game so can’t see it being more than 3,000.

 

[*Gullsworth*]

They don’t currently have any more seating allocated than a normal PL game so can’t see it being more than 3,000.

I seem to remember Coventry had about 5k didn't THEY?

 

[dazzer6666]

I seem to remember Coventry had about 5k didn't THEY?

Can’t REMEMBER

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Could well be Murray's last Amex appearance ?

 

[Springal]

Can't see this happening. Still loads left, the cost of staffing etc to open Upper Tier - they'd surely need to sell a decent wedge to justify it

 

[redoubtable seagull]

​

Can't see this happening. Still loads left, the cost of staffing etc to open Upper Tier - they'd surely need to sell a decent wedge to justify it

I remember one cup game where they opened up a handful of blocks in the east upper (Palace?). Surprised this has not been done.

 

[Dick Swiveller]

I seem to remember Coventry had about 5k didn't THEY?

City's following was reported as 4,529 but I believe there may have been a couple of hundred in the Brighton areas and not included in that figure.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/s...coventry-city-away-followings-credit-14323752

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I’d love to see a starting line up including:

Baluta
Bong
Davies
Jenks
Gwargis
Cochrane
Richards

I wouldn't, not if we want to progress. Two or three of them perhaps, four at the absolute most.

 

[Weststander]

I wouldn't, not if we want to progress. Two or three of them perhaps, four at the absolute most.

Only so that I could repeat the money made in the LC Villa loss. Potter enriched many NSC’ers that evening. Selfish I know, but it sweetened the pill.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

I’d love to see a starting line up including:

Baluta
Bong
Davies
Jenks
Gwargis
Cochrane
Richards

No need.

We have a 7 day break until Everton away.

Murray will start in potentially his Amex farewell, Schelotto and Connolly can't currently do 2 games in a week...

With the above in mind, it should be a fairly strong lineup selected.

 

[Bozza]

Might get a clue in his press conference (Thursday ?)

The club have just re-issued the press invite. The first iteration stated it was only Potter, but Ali J has now been added to that. It would seem unusual to put a player up for a game if he's not playing, however given his wonder goal today, I wonder if it's more a case of putting him for a broader piece about how his fortunes have changed.

DATE: Thursday 2nd January 2020
TIME: 12.30pm & 1.30pm
VENUE: American Express Elite Football Performance Centre, Mash Barn Lane, Lancing BN15 9FP
SUBJECT: Alireza Jahanbakhsh & Graham Potter

Please note: Alireza Jahanbakhsh will be available at 12.30pm.​

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

~600 tickets left, but SW corner not open yet.

The lower tier should be pretty much full for this game.

 

[BN41Albion]

~600 tickets left, but SW corner not open yet.

The lower tier should be pretty much full for this game.

Whats the capacity of the lower tiers?

 

[blue-shifted]

I’d love to see a starting line up including:

Baluta
Bong
Davies
Jenks
Gwargis
Cochrane
Richards

https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/fixtures/under-23

 

[blue-shifted]

No need.

We have a 7 day break until Everton away.

Murray will start in potentially his Amex farewell, Schelotto and Connolly can't currently do 2 games in a week...

With the above in mind, it should be a fairly strong lineup selected.

Not totally convinced that Muzza wants to get himself cup tied. Depends if he fancies that loan or not

Left back will be interesting. Bong starts as favourite, but I wonder if Cochrane might feel he has done enough in the u23s to get in front of him.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Whats the capacity of the lower tiers?

c.22K?

There will be more unsold at the moment than it looks like.

Hopefully some positive team news tomorrow will help them push it towards a Lower Bowl sell out.

Should have been cheaper and sold out the whole ground.

 

[blue-shifted]

c.22K?

There will be more unsold at the moment than it looks like.

Hopefully some positive team news tomorrow will help them push it towards a Lower Bowl sell out.

Should have been cheaper and sold out the whole ground.

Some sort of statement that GP isn't just going to throw the game by playing a load of 18 year olds might get a few more through the door.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Some sort of statement that GP isn't just going to throw the game by playing a load of 18 year olds might get a few more through the door.

I think it is pretty obvious that the circumstances are very different.

The last Cup game was 3 days before Chelsea away in an injury and illness crisis.

This time there is 7 days until Everton away and only 2 or 3 injuries ( the uncertainty over this number is because March could well be back and get some minutes ).

I can't see anyone outside the senior 25/26 getting a game.

 

[Skaville]

Some sort of statement that GP isn't just going to throw the game by playing a load of 18 year olds might get a few more through the door.

Why would he do that? We were down to the bare bones for Villa. We have a much bigger group of fit players, no suspensions and seven days before the next game. It will be competitive. Button, Bong, Murray, Stephens, jahanbakhsh, Balogun, schellotto, Duffy and Bissouma all certainties to start. Would love to see Baluta, Cochrane and Roberts myself.