Time to face facts - We are not a very good football team

[Jamie]

On the basis of our crowds, location, and facilities, why do you expect us to be any further up the table?

Because some bloke call Mr Bllom has spent a load of cash in the pre seaso, and the manager has brought in 20 or so players?

 

[pasty]

Patience is something I DO NOT HAVE. Anyine who knows me knows I get wound up waiting at a traffic light for 30 seconds. I wany success. I am tired of supporting a team at the arse end of the 3rd division. Its does not excite me.

Bugger off and support Man Utd then.

 

[Jamie]

Isn't it great to worry about the team instead of the goldstone being sold, ground sharing miles away, the end of the club, relegation to the conference, planing permission for a new ground and the one for a ew ground. Bloody great isnt it.. been god knows how many years since we have had that luxury.

 

[R. Slicker]

Bugger off and support Man Utd then.

I tried that argument with him once. He told me off.

 

[El Presidente]

Because some bloke call Mr Bllom has spent a load of cash in the pre seaso, and the manager has brought in 20 or so players?

He has spent cash, but not THAT much, we got rid of more players than we signed.

Just because they are new players, it doesn't mean they are any good.

 

[El Presidente]

Isn't it great to worry about the team instead of the goldstone being sold, ground sharing miles away, the end of the club, relegation to the conference, planing permission for a new ground and the one for a ew ground. Bloody great isnt it.. been god knows how many years since we have had that luxury.

It won't stop the whingers whinging though.

 

[Deano's Invisible Pants]

It won't stop the whingers whinging though.

Rightly or wrongly, after several years of punching well above our weight and exceeding most fans' expectations, we are now punching below it and failing to live up to expectations. Most of us have a sense of proportion and appreciate that we're miles better off than 10 years ago, but we also hope to be doing better than we are. Clubs like Stockport, Gillingham, Oldham, Walsall, Brizzle Rovers, Exeter are doing better than us relative to financial resources.

Early days though, but Slade will only have so long to put it right.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

He has spent cash, but not THAT much, we got rid of more players than we signed.

Just because they are new players, it doesn't mean they are any good.

We did the same when Adams took over. Safe to say that the players that were replaced were cheaper than those employed.

Whatever the weather, we are aiming for the Championship and if we were to spend within our means, that would be an impossible task.

 

[El Presidente]

Rightly or wrongly, after several years of punching well above our weight and exceeding most fans' expectations, we are now punching below it and failing to live up to expectations. Most of us have a sense of proportion and appreciate that we're miles better off than 10 years ago, but we also hope to be doing better than we are. Clubs like Stockport, Gillingham, Oldham, Walsall, Brizzle Rovers, Exeter are doing better than us relative to financial resources.

Early days though, but Slade will only have so long to put it right.

Surely most fans have unrealistic expectations. Look at fans of clubs such as Leeds (a third division team) Newcastle ( a second division team) who have far bigger resources than us.

Our total wage bill for everyone at the club including management, admin, playing staff etc last season was less than what West Ham paid Lucas Neill in his pay packet, not Ronaldo, Robinho, Henry, Owen, but Lucas Neill, a moderately talented thug.

Changing the manager every five minutes has not proven to be a successful strategy for the Albion, so why repeat it once more?

 

[Deano's Invisible Pants]

Surely most fans have unrealistic expectations. Look at fans of clubs such as Leeds (a third division team) Newcastle ( a second division team) who have far bigger resources than us.

Our total wage bill for everyone at the club including management, admin, playing staff etc last season was less than what West Ham paid Lucas Neill in his pay packet, not Ronaldo, Robinho, Henry, Owen, but Lucas Neill, a moderately talented thug.

Changing the manager every five minutes has not proven to be a successful strategy for the Albion, so why repeat it once more?

Leeds and Newcastle are perhaps the two best examples of clubs that are failing to punch their weight. The Albion's current under-performance is not in the same league, admittedly. But then I don't think most of our fans expect us to be running away with League 1 this year. Top-half play-off contenders should be a realistic aspiration and a platform for a strong push next season. Sadly we're some way off that and fans are rightly disappointed with losing 3 out of the first 4 home games.

As I said before, it's early days though and I'm certainly not saying that they should chop Salad. If we're still in this position at Christmas? Well, then that may be different.

 

[king Wombat]

brighton lose = all the doom mongers come out.
brighton win = all the doom mongers stay in.
But apparently they're top supporters.


Why don't you lot go and tut at the youth of today or something.

 

[The Wizard]

brighton lose = all the doom mongers come out.
brighton win = all the doom mongers stay in.
But apparently they're top supporters.


Why don't you lot go and tut at the youth of today or something.

Agreed, it seems every time we lose we get EXACTLY the same threads.

 

[Jim D]

....I'm certainly not saying that they should chop Salad.......

Don't they normally toss salad?

 

[blue and white army]

Why wasn't this thread created after the Carlisle or Wycombe game? I see the usual suspects jump on the bandwagon of Slade out after a defeat which could have easily been a victory. It's going to take time to rebuild a DECENT squad after Adams defiled it.

 

[TonyW]

League One table
Saturday, 19 September 2009 17:07 UK

Position Team P GD PTS
Full League One table
1 Leeds United 8 12 22
2 Charlton 8 12 20
3 Bristol Rovers 8 7 18
4 MK Dons 8 4 17
5 Colchester 8 8 14
6 Huddersfield 8 7 14
7 Swindon 8 -2 13
8 Southend 8 3 11
9 Gillingham 8 3 10
10 Millwall 8 0 10
11 Brentford 8 -1 10
12 Walsall 8 -1 10
13 Stockport 8 -2 9
14 Norwich 8 -3 9
15 Exeter 8 -3 9
16 Oldham 8 -3 9
17 Carlisle 8 -3 8
18 Hartlepool 8 -3 8
19 Brighton 8 -7 8
20 Yeovil 8 -3 6
21 Leyton Orient 8 -5 6
22 Wycombe 8 -6 5
23 Tranmere 8 -13 3
24 Southampton 8 -1 -2

The league table does not lie. An average squad at best and an average/poor manager.

I think we are at our level near the relegation zone / bottom half.

Nothing to see this season.

Lets hope we make a challenge next season but everyone's interests wanes forever.

Yeah, we're that crap, that a tiny bit more luck with the woodwork on Saturday, would have left us in the really bad situation of being eigth in the table, and only a couple of points out of a play-off place.

We must be shit

 

[grummitts gloves]

Patience one and all, I believe we are seeing the green shoots of a recovery. We should have won on Saturday on the back of 2 good previous results. But more importantly for the first time in ages I watched an Albion team that showed abit of passion and determination and some good physical challenges. I must be right because the style of play and the game in general was enough to start an out break of singing by the rest of the South Stand (We're the right side etc etc). When was the last time you heard that at Withdean?

Slade does frustrate me sometimes, it took too long to work out that Dicker & Croft were our best option in centre midfield. Would you still rather have Fraser and Loft playing there each week? I agree the back four is abit shambolic at the moment, but alot of that is down to bad luck through injuries, suspensions etc. therefore not being able to put a settled back four out each week. It will be alot more solid when Whing and McNulty are fit. I think Wright has the makings of a good left back for us as well. Virgo and El-Abd are not full backs. AND I KNOW I'VE SAID IT ON HERE A FEW TIMES, BUT PLEASE DON'T LET VIRGO TAKE FREE KICKS!!!! It shows absolutely no invention whatsoever despite Insider saying we do work on corners, set pieces etc. To drill it along the ground as hard as you can or fire it into the oppositions shins is a waste of a goal scoring opportunity and could make the difference between 1 point or no points as per Saturday.

I'm pleased with Bennett and Aaron Davies, a definite improvement and gives Coxy a run for his money which is no bad thing. I still can't make my mind up about Dickinson, I see flashes that make me think he can still be a good player for us, but I would like to see Davies get a run in the side with Forster.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more leave in January, like Livermore (past it), Mcleod (just not good enough) and maybe one or two others. I do think Slade has an eye for a good player and I would still trust him to get rid of the rest of the dead wood and replace them with better players.

We had such a massive cull last season, I understand we are still growing as a team. Would you rather have Adams method of bringing in loads of loans who don't really want to be here, never gelled, never new which 11 players were likely to start?

To get rid of Slade now would be madness. Any new manager coming in will be back to square one in trying to turn the sqaud into a unit that can play together. If we finish in the top half this season, I will accept it because this season is definitely a building one and perhaps next season as well, hopefully in time to be in the Championship once Falmer is ready.

Obviously if we are in the bottom 4 by Xmas, Bloom may think differently. But we have got to have consistency for the next 2 or 3 seasons. We are nver going to build a good team if we keep getting through managers at the rate we do. Slade did a very good job with Grimsby and Yeovil and there is no reason why he can't do that with us. It's all very well having high profile managers like Coppell and Taylor, but they will always use a club like Brighton as a stepping stone. If we eventually become a stable Championship club who consistently stays in the top 10, then maybe we will end up with a well known name who wants to stay at the club, but for now I don't believe ther is anyone better out there for us than Slade.

I understand some of your frustration US. I too can remember much happier times, indeed my firts albion match was home to Southend in August 1976. I feel sorry for the likes of my son who have only known the last 4 or 5 seasons at Withdean. He sometimes looks at me as if to say "What the hell are we doing here Dad?" Thats from a kid who loves his football.

I just try and explain to him we are still suffering a 'hangover' from events 13 years ago and it will get better. Especially whe we drive past Falmer and see whats on the horizon for us long suffering albion supporters.

Its going to be tough for a while longer yet, but then when was it ever easy being a Brighton fan?

Keep the faith x

 

[Acker79]

brighton lose = all the doom mongers come out.
brighton win = all the doom mongers stay in.
But apparently they're top supporters.


Why don't you lot go and tut at the youth of today or something.

It works the other way, too.

We win = all the we're going up!/where's all the doom mongers now? come out
We lose = They all stay quiet.

 

[Brighton Breezy]

I never expected us to finish any higher than around 13th-15th.

I agree it is a shame so many fans seem to accept second best these days. I think the years of having to really get behind the club re: Falmer and being faced with opposition has established a siege mentality where it seems any slight criticism is considered bad form.

I pay decent money to watch the team I love. Shoot me if I happen to prefer it when we win...

 

[Lokki 7]

I agree it is a shame so many fans seem to accept second best these days.

Or perhaps some of the fans have some idea of what a good footballer, a good manager and good attacking football look like. We are heading in the right direction and it will take time, just look at Notts County losing to Morecombe at the weekend with Sol Campball in the side.

Slade proved his ability by keeping the shambles that we were under Adams in this division against all the odds. Player for player we are clearly a much better squad than this time last year, and unlike then we are showing signs of being a decent side. But so many new faces is going to take time. I am not accepting second best, I'm accepting that Slade needs time to drill this new set of players and they need time to gel. He won't get 2 years, but he needs until the New Year at least before people start getting on his back.

I really do not understand why people like you and Spielberg don't support Man U. That club is tailormade for you.

 

[Storer68]

Patience is something I DO NOT HAVE. Anyine who knows me knows I get wound up waiting at a traffic light for 30 seconds. I wany success. I am tired of supporting a team at the arse end of the 3rd division. Its does not excite me. We are just going through the motions this season.

But we are invairably at the arse end of Division 3.