Albion assessed

It was the same old, same old at Brighton and our league record says it all: three wins, eight draws, 6 defeats. 20 goals conceded is better than Brentford in sixth place, but 17 goals scored the fifth least in the league. Of those 17 goals, only three have been scored by forwards. We laboured against Blackburn and having taken the lead just before half time it was predictable that Blackburn equalised. I have to admit that I imbibed more claret than normal at the Roger Uttley dinner and occasionally zizzed off in the second half.

i know that betting is popular on the Rust and backing Brighton for a draw is a sound wager. Talking of the Rust, our next home game is Fulham at home and I’ve invited Alan Tanner to join me in the 1901 Lounge. Alan observed that Fulham are the opposites of the Albion, having scored 27 goals and conceded 30. The Cottagers have revived under Kit Symons and will give us a much tougher game than under Magath. Alan thinks the mix in the group of kids who are not physically ready, purchases most of whom are still to make an impact, a core shell shocked by four managers and the brutal Magath regime will all rule out promotion this season. I’m not so sure. Derby are generally regarded as the best side but after that a good run can mean at least a play-off place.