Harty on Albion, Rebels and a charity football match

PROBABLY best to say it quietly but, as I write this column on Wednesday, the Albion are three points clear at the top of League One.

What’s more, despite a number of opponents adopting a more industrial/agricultural tactical stance, the Albion are actually playing some lovely football and creating chances. In fact, Brentford’s keeper Ben Hamer was man of the match on Tuesday night by a country mile with a number of quality saves.

Like I said, we don’t want to speak too soon and clearly Gus Poyet is quick to play down the obvious fans’ expectation, but the signs appear to be good.

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I know one swallow does not a summer make and all that, and there are a lot of matches to be played in the coming months, but it’s a pre-requisite of a football fan up and down the country to dream. And an opening Championship fixture at Falmer against Palace, Pompey or even West Ham cannot be discounted.

In fact, I had a dream the other night that it was Palace, bizarrely Ian Wright was playing for them, we won 3-0 and serenaded Channel Five’s A Lister with “You should have stayed with a big club” (Wright was turned down by the Seagulls as a teenager in 1983).

While the team can, hopefully, turn in the good performances consistently, there is an element of luck and good fortune. Luck being the team staying both relatively injury and suspension free over the course of the campaign, and the good fortune factor could be when Newcastle let LuaLua either come for the whole season or, even better, sell him to us in the January transfer window.

It’s a great squad, with the obligatory star players and hard working pros but in him there’s a player who can turn a game in a moment and excite the crowd in the process.

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Like most Albion fans, I can be the world’s worst when it comes to getting carried away, but I really do think this could be a momentous year for the club, both on and off the field.

n Who’d be a manager?

Worthing boss Chris White certainly upset a number of his club’s fans by fielding an alleged “weakened” team for Sunday’s FA Cup game at Enfield.

The Rebels exit from this year’s competition will certainly be felt by the club’s bank manager, given the prize money on offer, even at this early stage, with Worthing’s ongoing and well documented financial problems.

He has already apologised to fans for his team selection, and I’m sure he felt what he did was best for the club overall.

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He was partly vindicated with a well-earned point at home to Whitehawk on Tuesday night. But I wonder, with Enfield getting a very winnable tie in the next round and, if Morty Hollis and co tighten the belts even more as the winter kicks in, will he ultimately regret not playing his strongest side on Sunday.

n And, finally, a quick mention for a charity football match this Sunday at Woodside Road in aid of Foundation of Sudden Infant Deaths.

A team of ex-Arsenal players and celebrity Gunners fans, including Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley, take on an FSID all-stars team, kicking-off at 3pm. If you can get down, please do and support what is a very worthy cause.

For more details, contact the club on 01903 239575.