Harty on the Albion and Capello’s future

PERHAPS long-time Withdean PA duo, Paul Samrah and John Baine, should have played Lenny Kravitz’s “It aint over till it’s over” as the Albion left the field after their Saturday lunchtime south coast derby draw with Bournemouth.

Entering the 90th minute, the Albion were 1-0 up, looking at a five-point lead at the top of League One. Then Tommy Elphick handled, with TV evidence of that there is no doubt.

However, referee Darren Sheldrake initially gave a free kick outside the box, before his assistant, John Farries, clearly behind the play and arguably in no better position than the ref, gave a penalty.

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Trial by television has in many ways blighted our game. But, frankly, Sheldrake made a serious error, which could at the end of 46 matches have far-reaching consequences. With so much at stake, he cannot really complain when he is savaged in the media for the mistake.

Ref bashing is never pleasant, but even before his last-minute decision, I would seriously question some of his decisions. The very fact that Bournemouth entered added time still with 11 players on the pitch is every bit a debate as the penalty award.

Having said that, as Albion fans, we know it’s not going to be plain sailing along the way, and the slings and arrows of a 46-match league campaign are all part of the fun.

The Seagulls get a chance to get back to winning ways with a trip to Charlton this Saturday.

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Such is the demand for tickets in the away end at the Valley, anyone leaving it late to buy tickets is now being sold what is classed as a “restricted view”.

I phoned the Albion ticket office to find out exactly what that meant.

Basically, due to the angle of the roof on the away end at the Valley, the tickets sold now provide a view of the pitch which goes right up to the edge of the penalty area at the opposite end. In Layman’s terms, you can only see one goal net, you’ll only hear if it goes in at the other end.

Such is the current attraction of the Albion, fans are still prepared to watch under these conditions. Although, with the season they are having, most of the Crystal Palace support would settle for only seeing one goal net every week.

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England struggle against inferior opposition at Wembley, are then booed off and, to cap it all, the M25 is then shut – business as usual then.

England don’t have a competitive fixture until they take on Wales in March, but I would imagine that Mr Capello is not in for any easy ride in the next few months.

In fact, he’s almost taken on the mantle of Gordon Brown during the general election campaign – almost the whole nation wants him out, yet he appears to be carrying on regardless.

Why do the FA see fit to employ someone on a four-year contract when we have a major tournament every two years? Wouldn‘t tournament to tournament be a better way forward?

It appears that, at all levels, football has gone money mad. But I’m actually advocating the FA finding the £12 million now and getting shot of Capello – before they even take on France next month.