Brighton 0 Brentford 2
After my missus read my piece last Friday she said “What sort of reporter are you, you failed to notice the platform broke down. Stick to the day time job.” I got more info from the Argus and other 1901 members none of whom were allowed into the viewing platform once it finally descended after 2 hours.
Maybe they could not restock the bar. The website in the FAQ SECTION no longer confidently states that no one will be stuck in it. British Airways were not that communicative on the night, even those stuck up there were deprived of much information. Will they pay any compensation to travelers who were delayed 3 hours? With Brighton losing at home the jokes, i.e. that we are are stuck mid-pole and our season has not got off the ground, are bound to happen.
It was a feckless and sterile performance yesterday – Brentford won and deserved to. Up front Glenn Murray and Tomer Hemed had no pace to worry the Brentford defence, Knockaert did not come to life. In midfield Chris Hughton did not start with Stephens, the subject of a recent Burnley bid rumoured to be £7m. Given he is out of contract at the end of this season I would have accepted it. If however the decision is to keep him then why not play him as the Kayal/Stephens axis was the main reason for last season’s success? Oliver Norwood his replacement did not impress. Brentford were always the livelier more creative side and their lone striker Scott Hogan was more effective than our two. We do have Solly March to return as a goal scoring midfielder. He was playing so well last season and rumoured to be targeted by Southampton when he was badly injured. The defence will look tighter with the return of Goldson though new signing Eire International Shane Duffy looked capable enough. One friend of mine observed that there is the inevitable reaction after missing out so unluckily last season. Whether this defeat is indicative of such a reaction or a one off bad day at the office we will have to see. Tuesday’s visitors, league leaders Huddersfield, will be the best indicator.