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Only 23 (league) games to Falmer!
AFTER the last game of the season, against Yeovil at Withdean, I was in a rush to get away for a few days and FAILED to get my report into the Express a couple of weeks back. I'm sure you missed it? We won 1-0 and just missed out finishing in the TOP half of League One. We finished 13th!
To be honest it was a lacklustre game, a typical end of season affair. It was strange to be playing the last game with nothing resting on it. No promotion possibilities and, more to the point after our dreadful start, no relegation worries. All we needed (7,323 of us) was a spot of sunshine and something to cheer.
I'm afraid there was no sign of sunshine. It was cold and damp! There wasn't a lot to cheer about EXCEPT one fabulous strike by Elliott Bennett. That left us happy at half-time. In fact it had to keep us happy for the second-half as well!
Gus Poyet took the opportunity to start 18-year-old keeper Mitch Walker in goal. He did well and was awarded MOTM by the sponsors.
First choice keeper Peter Brezovan was happy on the bench having signed a new two-year contract. But our favourite Dutch Marine might have played his last game. Michel Kuipers has been given a free transfer but has been offered a role at the club in a non-playing capacity.
A piece of Seagulls' history was made! Jake Caskey came of the bench and, at 16 years 13 days, became the youngest-ever peacetime player.
He wasn't overawed and looked comfortable in midfield.
So goodbye to 2009/10. It was a funny old season. Russell Slade (remember him?) at the start, then the high profile Poyet in November when we were languishing in the bottom five. It was a slow climb up the table but Poyet finally had the team playing his way and winning.
Our atrocious Withdean form can now be forgotten (I hope) and we look forward to August and the FINAL season at Withdean! Here's a fact – ONLY 23 GAMES (league) TO GO! I'll be counting down, along with the thousands who have suffered out in the open. I was going to say suffered "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" – but we didn't drown!
Poyet has shown himself to be a strong manager. I can't say I've agreed with all his selections or with the release of several. But he has stuck with those who will play in the style that he wants. All those Albion fans at Southampton or Aston Villa or Charlton have seen what can be achieved.
There has been disappointing news! Our two "best" players have left! My favourite player, Inigo Calderon, has left us for more money at Southampton. Gus wasn't too pleased about that! And Player of the Year Andrew Crofts found Championship-bound Norwich too good to miss. That's our captain gone. At least we take a profit from the transfer.
There are still big decisions to be made and new players to be found. With a generous (I hope!) pot of money from Chairman Tony Bloom we can look forward to an exciting 2010/11, a promotion push, and Falmer.
Talking of which, following up those exciting pictures from Falmer last week I'll do a Q&A on the new stadium in weeks to come.
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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
