[Albion] There is ZERO chance of SIGNING anyone today.

[Finchley Seagull]

TBH I'm STAGGERED that we have failed to bring in an experienced Central Defender.

OK, strikers are hard to land, as we've proved since last summer, but, a central defender, really? Why is it taking so long?

To be fair, it's become more urgent in recent weeks. It wasn't top priority at the start of the summer, strikers were the main aim. But now, because Huhnemeier is still not back and Goldson is injured, it is suddenly top of the list. I agree that it is disappointing but we've got to move on and deal with it. Hopefully we'll have a centre back in before Derby as, other than that, we have a very strong team.

 

[Springal]

To be fair, it's become more urgent in recent weeks. It wasn't top priority at the start of the summer, strikers were the main aim. But now, because Huhnemeier is still not back and Goldson is injured, it is suddenly top of the list. I agree that it is disappointing but we've got to move on and deal with it. Hopefully we'll have a centre back in before Derby as, other than that, we have a very strong team.

How are we getting on with our strikers being the main aim?

 

[Finchley Seagull]

How are we getting on with our strikers being the main aim?

We have Murray to be fair. He's a decent striker at this level. I think a lot of teams would be happy with Murray, Hemed and Baldock. There seems to be a very anti club attitude from some on here who just want to criticise. Signing players is not that easy, especially when you have a limited budget.

 

[Springal]

We have Murray to be fair. He's a decent striker at this level. I think a lot of teams would be happy with Murray, Hemed and Baldock. There seems to be a very anti club attitude from some on here who just want to criticise. Signing players is not that easy, especially when you have a limited budget.

Not anti club, just surprised we are not strengthening from a position of strength. We let a number of players go the end of last season and don't seem to be filling those voids. I know some of this relies on moving on Holla, Manu etc but the central defender thing seems to be worrying. BFG was injured for basically the entire second half of last season and we must have known he was some way off which meant we were pretty thin there anyway.

Easy for us to judge but I had hoped we would have made more progress than just a season long loan.

 

[Napper]

Must of missed out on fair few targets is only assumption

 

[Finchley Seagull]

Not anti club, just surprised we are not strengthening from a position of strength. We let a number of players go the end of last season and don't seem to be filling those voids. I know some of this relies on moving on Holla, Manu etc but the central defender thing seems to be worrying. BFG was injured for basically the entire second half of last season and we must have known he was some way off which meant we were pretty thin there anyway.

Easy for us to judge but I had hoped we would have made more progress than just a season long loan.

Well the sarcasm of your previous post sounded pretty anti but okay. If you look at the squad last night, especially the starting 11, we've got a very good side. The only issue that needs to be sorted before Derby is a centre back (either getting Goldson fit or signing someone). Outside of that, we've got a great squad and I don't get some of the comments on here.

 

[BensGrandad]

How does Ben Hall rate as only 19 but played in Sciottish premier, any views as to his ability to be a 4th choice back up.

 

[chaileyjem]

TBH I'm STAGGERED that we have failed to bring in an experienced Central Defender.

OK, strikers are hard to land, as we've proved since last summer, but, a central defender, really? Why is it taking so long?

Because it does. Last year we signed 2 rather good central defenders.
- Uwe on August 12th
- Goldson on August 19th.
Did that matter ?

 

[chaileyjem]

Not anti club, just surprised we are not strengthening from a position of strength. We let a number of players go the end of last season and don't seem to be filling those voids. I know some of this relies on moving on Holla, Manu etc but the central defender thing seems to be worrying. BFG was injured for basically the entire second half of last season and we must have known he was some way off which meant we were pretty thin there anyway.
Easy for us to judge..

Yes.
Hughton had no idea Goldson was going to be injured in Spain, Uwe's injury has had a setback that couldn't be foreseen and the club are still looking to buy a new CB but presumably are having to be flexible about their targets and/or waiting to finalise an acceptable bid. How would you have planned it differently ?

 

[Springal]

Yes.
Hughton had no idea Goldson was going to be injured in Spain, Uwe's injury has had a setback that couldn't be foreseen and the club are still looking to buy a new CB but presumably are having to be flexible about their targets and/or waiting to finalise an acceptable bid. How would you have planned it differently ?

We lost Greer & Calde, neither replaced. That's how I would have planned differently

 

[BensGrandad]

We lost Greer & Calde, neither replaced. That's how I would have planned differently

Are you saying that we should have given either of them a new contract and that such a move would have been cost effective to be bit part players, that is if they wanted that at their stage of their careers.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

We lost Greer & Calde, neither replaced. That's how I would have planned differently

I look at it slightly differently..

Greer - not yet replaced
Wilson - not yet replaced

Zamora - replaced by Murray
Crofts - replaced by Sidwell
Calde - replaced by Forbes
Chicksen - replaced by Adekugbe

When Holla goes he'll also need replacing, as well as any other departures.

We are unlikely to run at more than 26 in the first team squad, and currently have 24.

 

[BensGrandad]

Didnt we buy Ben Hall as a possible long term replacement for Greer or was he just to bolster the U23s.

 

[Springal]

I look at it slightly differently..

Greer - not yet replaced
Wilson - not yet replaced

Zamora - replaced by Murray
Crofts - replaced by Sidwell
Calde - replaced by Forbes
Chicksen - replaced by Adekugbe

When Holla goes he'll also need replacing, as well as any other departures.

We are unlikely to run at more than 26 in the first team squad, and currently have 24.

Hasn't Forbes gone into the Development squad?

 

[chaileyjem]

We have Murray to be fair. He's a decent striker at this level. I think a lot of teams would be happy with Murray, Hemed and Baldock. There seems to be a very anti club attitude from some on here who just want to criticise. Signing players is not that easy, especially when you have a limited budget.

Also Hughton has made it absolutely clear that the club are still looking for an additional striker in the last 7 days...

"We’re certainly in a much better position than we were last season in terms of numbers. We just need to supplement it with one or two.”
http://www.seagulls.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/chris-hughton-brighton-hove-albion-3203599.aspx

“Over the last couple of weeks [Elvis] has looked a little bit brighter and has got himself in really good goalscoring opportunities,” Hughton said. “But we are one light there.”
http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/alb...transfer_interest_from_Premier_League_outfit/

 

[chaileyjem]

We lost Greer & Calde, neither replaced. That's how I would have planned differently

Who says they won't be ?

 

[BensGrandad]

Hasn't Forbes gone into the Development squad?

Isnt that what was in the old days the reserves 1 below first team and getting ready to step up.

 

[Springal]

Who says they won't be ?

No-one. However we are currently playing our right back, at centre back and relying on players who have never played Championship football to cover those positions which I am sure you'd agree is not ideal for the start of a season. Of course the club could announce 2 signings in the next 7 days and I'll be proven wrong.

 

[BensGrandad]

No-one. However we are currently playing our right back, at centre back and relying on players who have never played Championship football to cover those positions which I am sure you'd agree is not ideal for the start of a season. Of course the club could announce 2 signings in the next 7 days and I'll be proven wrong.

I must say I will be disappointed if we do not sign anybody else. 1 expect 1 permenant possibly CB and 1 loan possibly a striker

 

[chaileyjem]

No-one. However we are currently playing our right back, at centre back and relying on players who have never played Championship football to cover those positions which I am sure you'd agree is not ideal for the start of a season. Of course the club could announce 2 signings in the next 7 days and I'll be proven wrong.

Of course not but the implication is that :
a) the club haven't acknowledged this or are unaware of the bleedin obvious - Hughton said "It's a concern" on Monday for example.
via: http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/albion/14639337.Albion_defender_in_race_to_be_fit_for_big_kick_off/
b) aren't doing anything about it .