[Football] You should be targetting top 4 this season, minimum.

[beorhthelm]

afraid i dont think both Spurs and Newcastle will capitulate, while Liverpool look like they've turned things around. all we can do is get results and see where it ends up.

edit: just noticed the extra games Spurs have played. their position is more vulnerable than it looks. our 3 games in hand, while a challenge to get through, does give us more chance of making it up to 4th.

 

[oldboyroy]

Honestly think the games in hand will be our downfall - crazy we had so much free time in recent weeks and it looks like we could be playing 2 games a week for 3 or 4 weeks to my untrained eye?? Someone more on the ball than me could outline that schedule a bit better no doubt.
We have a brilliant first choice 11 and a good 5 or 6 back up but at that point it starts to be a question of experience.

All said and done I think we have a great chance of top6 but the schedule might wear us down

Went to the match yesterday. Mind blowing.

Games in hand mean nothing unless you win them so yes, agree with this. Although, Roberto is quite happy to play twice a week every week. He doesn't make any excuses, can't see him moaning about his players being tired as some of the other managers do!

 

[Lenny Rider]

I know it’s about the entire 38 games, but I’ve got a horrible feeling the 5 points dropped in the back to back games against Palace and Fulham will come back to haunt us come the final whistle at Villa Park at the end of May.

That said it’s still in our hands.

 

[Silverhatch]

Had money on it in June and still believe it now, we’ll finish 4th.

 

[kevo]

Think we are in a battle with Spurs, Newcastle and Liverpool for fourth spot.

What might impede us is fixture congestion. No idea why the Palace and Bmuff games couldn't have been done and dusted already when there have been plenty of free weeks. We'll end up having to play two games a week for the final months of the season and that will take it's toll, especially if key players like Caciedo and Estupian get crocked.

 

[Swansman]

It will be difficult as long as defensive minded mid table teams usually go home with a point or three if they want it. Think top 4 will be out of reach. Decent chance to finish 5-7 though.

 

[Triggaaar]

Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool have been garbage this season. Newcastle good, but they're fading now.

As a neutral, without a doubt, the 4 best teams in England this year have been Arsenal, City, United and Brighton.

That's kind of you to say, but I don't think it's as simple as that. For example, I think we're performing better as a team than Spurs, but let's not pretend we have a striker as good as Kane, and his goals make a big difference. Liverpool have under-performed, but they're still capable of sorting it out.

Personally I think we're in a battle for 7th.

It's time for you guys to start believing.

It's important that the players believe and they do. I'm not sure it matters if we do. I think it's fine to keep our feet on the ground.

In 4-5 years you will look back and think, we had those 5 players in the same team at the same time?

Agreed.

Player for player, you are as good as any of the aforementioned

Arsenal, City and United? No, I don't think we are.

 

[lawros left foot]

Can we first concentrate on getting the 2 points we need to definitely avoid relegation first?

 

[The Fits]

@BrianSwan be interested to know which five players a neutral would pick out..

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

Honestly think the games in hand will be our downfall - crazy we had so much free time in recent weeks and it looks like we could be playing 2 games a week for 3 or 4 weeks to my untrained eye?? Someone more on the ball than me could outline that schedule a bit better no doubt.
We have a brilliant first choice 11 and a good 5 or 6 back up but at that point it starts to be a question of experience.

All said and done I think we have a great chance of top6 but the schedule might wear us down

Went to the match yesterday. Mind blowing.

Assuming our continued involvement in the FA Cup and Man Utd and Man City remain in Europe there are only two potential mid week spots for the games against the Manchester clubs to be played. It would also mean we'd have to play 3 games in the final 8 days of the league season.

Sat 11/03	Leeds away
Wed 15/03	Palace home
Sun 19/03	Grimsby home FA CUP
International break
Sat 01/04	Brentford home
Tue 04/04	Bournemouth away
Sat 08/04	Spurs away
	European week Potential midweek for Newcastle game
Sat 15/04	Chelsea away
	European week Potential midweek for Newcastle game
Sun 23/04	Man City home (will need to be re-arranged if either us or City make FA Cup Semi Finals)
Wed 26/04	Forest away
Sat 29/04	Wolves home
	Potential midweek for Man Utd or Man City game
Sat 06/05	Everton home (could need to be re-arranged as is scheduled for same day as King Charles coronation)
	European week Potential midweek for Newcastle game
Sat 13/05	Arsenal away
	European week Potential midweek for Newcastle game
Sat 20/05	Southampton home
	Potential midweek for Man Utd or Man City
Sun 28/05	Villa away

 

[Monkey Man]

I am starting to believe that we’re the fourth best team in the league, behind Arsenal and the Manchester clubs. Doesn’t mean we’ll finish fourth, but as things stand that’s my view. Quality all over the pitch, and more confidence and belief than I ever expected from a Brighton side.

 

[Fungus]

Top 4 minimum? What's the maximum? The title?!

The Double.

Yes, l’ll go and lie down in a darkened room…

 

[Triggaaar]

I simply target a win every week.

Roberto?

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

Definitely aim for it - and if we end up in any sort of European spot at the end of the season, amazing

 

[Weststander]

Roberto?

Sì

 

[Triggaaar]

Definitely aim for it

I think we all know that the boring truth is simply that we aim for the best possible result in every match, and then what will be will be.

Of course there can be a different mindset going into a game - assuming we're second best and defending for a point, or believing in ourselves and taking the game to the opposition. Since Hughton (in this division) we've gradually progressed to the later, trying to win more games. But it's still one game at a time.

 

[Timbo]

4th is a bit over ambitious, I’m going for 6th. Current top 4 plus Liverpool will finish above us. Newcastle will drop off and I’m fairly confident of reeling them in. Then just got to rely on Brentford’s squad being too small, Fulham finding it all a bit much and Chelsea not sacking Potter.

 

[Greg Bobkin]

As dull as it might be, I'm taking it one game at a time and assuming nothing. The boys know it's in their hands, but anything could happen.

I'm just loving the football - could quite happily watch it all day! A million miles away from what was served up at the end of CH's reign - and that's coming from a big Hughton fan. But the club has moved on massively since then - onwards and upwards!

 

[Perkino]

We've justed started a key run if 5 important fixtures. If we can win those fixtures we will be in a brilliant position

West Ham, Leeds, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Bournemouth.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I think you're not giving enough credit to Brentford and Fulham (although they were dire when we played them).

Still think our best chance of qualifying for Europe is through the FA Cup

By being a finalist beaten by a team already qualified for the Champions' league? I think you're right.