Football starts tomorrow
THE friendlies are over! Brighton beat Aberdeen 1-0 at Withdean on Saturday knowing that football starts for real this week. That's at Swindon in League One, season 2010/11 the last before the move to the AMEX Stadium at Falmer.
The Seagulls played encouragingly well to beat the Scottish Premier League side. It was a return to Withdean for our former manager Mark McGhee. He got a generous reception from the South Stand fans – but didn't get a lot of joy from the match!
Manager Gus Poyet took this match seriously with the aim of clarifying his starting XI at Swindon. For the keepers it was Michael Poke starting. Mitch Walker replaced him on 78 minutes but to be honest neither goalie had a lot to do.
The back four were Inigo Calderon, Tommy Elphick, Gordon Greer and Marcos Painter. The problem here is that Greer, who has been named Albion captain, is suspended for the first two games. Andrew Whing came on for Calderon in the second half whilst Adam El-Abd is waiting in the wings to return from injury.
In the wide middle were Elliott Bennett, Radostin Kishishev, Alan Navarro, Matt Sparrow and young Jamie Smith.
For the second half Kishishev gave way to Gary Dicker, Navarro to Argentinean Battipiedi and Smith to Chris Holroyd.
Up front was lone striker Ashley Barnes. Glenn Murray took over from him towards the end but he is another that won't be starting also being suspended for two games!
As I said, the team performed well with Poyet saying: "It was a good performance … we were in control all of the time … we started creating chances when we started having shots."
He singled out Smith and Sparrow for praise. "I see Jamie everyday in training so I know what he can do … Matt Sparrow kept running … he became a better and better player … two or three great shots … that's why he is here."
So we have a good idea who Gus fancies as his starting XI. The XI can become thirteen when Greer and Murray are available.
The game was decided by a single Bennett strike.
On 38 minutes Sparrow played the ball back and the winger took one touch before curling his shot into the top left corner.
That was it as far as goals went. Greer had a heading chance: it went over. Sparrow had a 20 yarder: deflected wide.
Kishishev came close but it was side netting. A Sparrow volley was well saved by Howard in the Aberdeen goal. Smith's fierce shot was beaten away.
A long range shot from Bennett went wide. Smith was the closest beating the keeper but had to watch the ball come back off the post. At the end Murray stabbed a Whing cross just wide and Holroyd had his run through blocked by the keeper.
It was a good run out before the League One start but it is very difficult to judge how the season will pan out. Poyet will still try to pick up a couple more players if he can.
He is hoping some of the big clubs will make players available for loan deals. He still hopes to get LuaLua! One thing is certain; he plans to play attractive possession football.
The Chairman Tony Bloom's master plan must be a push for the Championship in the last year at Withdean.
Just to end on a little moan. Isn't the 7th of August far too soon to start the footie season? The season tickets have arrived and having carefully planned time away for the hottest time in the summer (I hope!) I find I miss the first two games at Withdean!
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Weather for Lewes
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
