Who do you consider Brighton's biggest rival for second spot?

[Durlston]

The Villa.

Leeds are my dark horses. They're in the middle of a tough run (bar Rotherham) but once they've got through that I can see Garry Monk strengthening the squad immensely in January.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Newcastle.

 

[Perkino]

I honestly believe that by the time we finally play Newcastle at the Amex it could decide who takes 1st and who gets runner up as we'll be so far ahead of anyone else

 

[Marshy]

I honestly believe that by the time we finally play Newcastle at the Amex it could decide who takes 1st and who gets runner up as we'll be so far ahead of anyone else

I will have some of what you are drinking !

 

[Exile]

The Villa.

Leeds are my dark horses. They're in the middle of a tough run (bar Rotherham) but once they've got through that I can see Garry Monk strengthening the squad immensely in January.

Leeds could absolutely be a threat. Monk is doing an excellent job there, which may see Cellino show some financial trust in him, come January.

Don't forget also, that Cellino has promised to give all his season ticket holders half of their money back if they finish outside the top six. That is going to influence their season two ways:

1. Cellino will get his wallet out in January.
2. Cellino might panic at some point and sack a very good manager if they drop a few points.

 

[James Bond's body double]

The Villa.

Leeds are my dark horses. They're in the middle of a tough run (bar Rotherham) but once they've got through that I can see Garry Monk strengthening the squad immensely in January.

If Leeds suffer any injuries/ suspensions not sure the squad is good enough to cope.

 

[essbee]

Villa reminded me a little bit of Arsenal when we played them.

Fast, good on the wings and height where it matters. They scare me.

 

[LlcoolJ]

That is going to influence their season two ways:

1. Cellino will get his wallet out in January.
2. Cellino might panic at some point and sack a very good manager if they drop a few points.

Or the third way. Where Cellino ignores what he said, reneges on the agreement and wins a court case (three years later) which proves that the small print screwed the stupid Leeds fans who thought they'd ever get a penny out of him?

 

[Perkino]

I will have some of what you are drinking !

The Newcastle game will be re-scheduled due to F.A Cup 4th round. Which I guess will be moved to 21st Feb or 14th March. The chasing pack will all drop more points than us over the next 2-3 months I feel we will be around 10 clear of 3rd place by the time we get to March

 

[Exile]

Or the third way. Where Cellino ignores what he said, reneges on the agreement and wins a court case (three years later) which proves that the small print screwed the stupid Leeds fans who thought they'd ever get a penny out of him?

Important note: Refunds payable as vouchers redeemable only at reserve team fixtures, against barbecue hula-hoops and bovril

 

[essbee]

The Newcastle game will be re-scheduled due to F.A Cup 4th round. Which I guess will be moved to 21st Feb or 14th March. The chasing pack will all drop more points than us over the next 2-3 months I feel we will be around 10 clear of 3rd place by the time we get to March

I genuinely believe that this is our year - everyone else can just f*** off....we're going up and that's that.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

I genuinely believe that this is our year - everyone else can just f*** off....we're going up and that's that.

This. Lots.

 

[Triggaaar]

Selective quoting is a great way to win a discussion that wasn't even about winning...

That's not what's happened.

It's simple - you said
"Based my vote, and commentary, on one assumption: that we continue to hold consistent form through the rest of the season. That when we have a bad game, we salvage at least a point, and that when we're on song we take the 3."
I said
"No offence, but if we do that, we'll definitely finish top two."

That's it. No selective quoting to win anything.

 

[Triggaaar]

Reading may have had an easy run of wins but they can *only beat what is in front of them.*

I'll be happier to write them off after they lose a few rather than dismiss them now.

I don't think they're being dismissed, they're the second most likely (not inc Newc) to stop us getting 2nd according to the poll. Huddersfield however, have been dismissed by the voters, and by Wigan.

 

[sir albion]

Not sure why people think villa as they'd need about 2.3 points a game for the rest of the season....not goner happen.

 

[Triggaaar]

Not sure why people think villa as they'd need about 2.3 points a game for the rest of the season....not goner happen.

I hear you, but you think Shefwedlol, and they're just 3 points ahead of Villa and with a worse GD. That's nothing.

 

[sir albion]

I hear you, but you think Shefwedlol, and they're just 3 points ahead of Villa and with a worse GD. That's nothing.

Yes and that's just because I think the massive are due a very good run of wins....villa may make the playoffs but they won't get into the top two.If they win 10 on the spin at some Point I'll change my mind naturally but they'll continue to draw a lot.

 

[Machiavelli]

Well the eternal bore Chris Sutton has an answer:

'Villa will go up', says Sutton

Former Villa striker Chris Sutton has backed Bruce to get the club promoted this season.

"They've got momentum," the former Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Celtic and England striker, briefly one of Bruce's players at Birmingham City in 2006, prior to then joining Villa, told BBC Five Live's Monday night show.

"I think they will go up. He was a brilliant appointment. He's a brilliant manager. He's been around and proved himself. In fact, he should have been given a job at the top end of the end of the Premier League."

 

[smeg]

"He was a brilliant appointment. He's a brilliant manager. He's been around and proved himself."

Well this much is pretty much true, Villa will be a threat for sure.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Depends who, if anyone, spends BIG in January.