A Brighton transfer window where expectation outweighed global and financial reality

Back in the day there was an a urban myth that then Albion chairman Dick Knight used to turn his mobile phone off on deadline day.

I recall when one of his managers joked about this on a radio interview, unfortunately some listeners took things at face value and the conspiracy theory gathered momentum.

For the record Dick was always, and remains very approachable, football wise he didn’t turn his phone off on that day or any other.

But by the same token, back then he wasn’t going spend money the Albion didn’t have, and the same I believe can be said in the present about Tony Bloom.

In a perfect world the arrival of Ollie Watkins, Divock Origi or Rhian Brewster for a club record fee and almost certainly the breaking of the £100,000 a week wage ceiling, would have had the Brighton fans dancing in the streets...obviously in groups of six and under!

But this world currently is far from perfect. I personally believe, as spectators, we won’t be back at the Amex until next August, unless a Covid 19 vaccine suddenly appears. That in itself leaves the Albion with a huge financial black hole.

That ‘Black Hole’ replicates itself around the other 19 clubs in the EPL, but if chairman/owners choose to still spend big, that’s their lookout.

I know the club got the players they wanted at the price they were happy to pay. At times like this, maybe a step back and appreciate that Tony Bloom runs the club according to what it needs and what it can afford rather than basing it on ‘outside noise’.

Yes, the Albion were found wanting at Goodison Park, but clearly not as ‘wanting’ as United and Liverpool were 24 hours later.

Globally these are unprecedented times, and football equally has been turned on its head. Its early days, yet already on social media amongst its own fans the Albion are being branded relegation fodder.

Four games, three points, arguably with the rub of the green that could have been at least four and possibly as high as seven points.

Due to circumstances beyond the Albion’s control, the timings have changed, but what hasn’t is that you don’t get relegated after four games or in the first week in October.

As we saw at the weekend, the form book can go out of the window. It wasn’t that long ago Villa were avoiding relegation on account of a questionable goal line decision.

Cliche time: but it really is a marathon and not a sprint. The next two games, Palace and West Brom, will probably tell us more about the Albion than possibly the. previous four.

But before that it’s international break, which would normally give Amex regulars the chance to watch local non-league football.

Current circumstances dictate that every week, and I would strongly urge local football fans to get out and support their respective non league teams.

Worthing United take on Canterbury City in the FA Vase at Lyons Way, this Saturday, 3pm kick off.

The last round provided a nine goal thriller, so if you can, do get along to support the Mavericks, or any other local side playing over the weekend.