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More Withdean disappointment
Saturday at Withdean brought more of the same. Disappointment!
Brighton's dreadful home form returned leaving us wondering what's to be done.
It really is ridiculous. Is this the same team that destroyed Charlton at the Valley? Is it the same side that made Colchester toothless?
Is it the same Albion that has picked up 26 points away from Withdean in 18 games? Well yes it is! But now it is only three wins at our "Fortress" out of 16 played there. Swindon won with the only goal of the game in the 70th minute.
We left our athletics track to go home and kick the cat, gnash our teeth, curse the gods, tear out hair or whatever else is necessary to relieve football frustrations.
I'm writing this before the Tuesday night Brentford game when all MIGHT be forgiven! Now I need a good moan! Gus Poyet might be Albion's saviour in the long term but after yet another failure at Withdean I am allowed to finger-point.
Ok we were unlucky. No, we didn't deserve to lose. But we did - again!
So why play Glenn Murray upfront on his own? Why not play top scorer Nicky Forster? Did Swindon deserve so much respect that we packed our defence and midfield and played the lone striker?
Murray is an enigma. Twelve goals this season – NONE at Withdean! He destroyed Saints at Southampton. He annihilated Wycombe, scoring FOUR (six in cup and league!). But at home he is a feather duster.
The Withdean faithful know his limitations and away sides and refs do too. He jumps early and is on the way down when the ball arrives. Any touch will be more of a glance and therefore he needs close support. There isn't any playing 4 – 5 – 1!
He goes to ground too easily. At Charlton he was tripped but the theatrical drop didn't impress the ref. Against Swindon it happened again. He collected a loose ball in the area, moved away from goal, there was contact and Glenn did the sack of potatoes bit.
He may have got the penalty in the Premiership but Mr Grant Hegley from Hertfordshire, at Withdean, in League One, was not convinced.
So why isn't Poyet playing our top scorer? Forster has 15 goals but has only started one of the last eight games. The fall-out following the contract spat must be ongoing. It is good to have a strong manager that knows his own mind. It is not so good if strength becomes misplaced stubbornness.
Forster was brought on after we went one down, too late to save the game. The South Stand crowd gave him a big cheer but there was frustration in the applause. I hope it is sorted soon as I can't believe Gus actually thinks Chris Holroyd, who he brought on first, is the better striker.
I'm only ranting because of the disappointment. Poyet's side is better than the one he inherited. In defence and midfield we are much stronger. Hopefully with our new 3million player, Diego Arismendi, we can improve further.
I'm disappointed and sad because following good performances there was a decent crowd at Withdean (7,000) with high expectations. BUT we had another failure. Will they keep coming back if we can't score and can't win?
In summary, the game – Swindon, in the play-offs and sixth in the league, scored. We didn't! We nearly scored in the first minute. Then Andrew Crofts' shot skimmed the post, the wrong side.
Next his header was cleared off the line. Murray's "penalty" wasn't given. Elliott Bennett shot over the bar. The Robins' keeper made a good save. Kazenga LuaLua shot went straight to their keeper. With 20 minutes left Charlie Austin had the simplest of tap-ins to take the three points. We have to do better against Brentford!
My Season Ticket Holder's DVD arrived last week. I kid you not, it was good! A section is devoted to Albion In The Community. It is amazing how many youngsters and disabled their exceptional work reaches.
Then there is a marvellous part devoted to the Falmer Stadium. Martin Perry is there to talk us through our field of dreams. IT IS LOOKING GOOD!
Finally of course the football and highlights of the first-half of the season. We were great at Saints. We were valiant at Villa.
Murray was marvellous at Wycombe! Perhaps the team should watch it before running out against Brentford?
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Weather for Horsham
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
