Brighton & Sussex Update
When Alexis Mac Alister converted a penalty in the 98th minute to win against Manchester United last Thursday I suspect the reaction was one of sweet revenge as a penalty shoot out in the semi-final of the FA Cup on April 24th cost Brighton the chance of a final.
Few would then thought and – less objected if they did – that this might be the last goal we witnessed of the Argentine World Cup Winner in a Brighton jersey.
It seems likely that he will be transferred in the summer and next season we will see him in the colours of Liverpool.
Fans have seen Ben White and Leandro Trossard transferred to Arsenal, Cuccarella to Chelsea, Yves Bissouma to Spurs, Neil Maupay to Everton but in Tony (Bloom) we trust.
He is the owner who financed both the new stadium and training ground, appointed Chris Hughton, Graham Potter and Roberto de Zerbi, is a local from a Brighton-supporting family and always had the interests of the club close to his heart.
Despite losing these players – and Dan Ashworth his Director of Football to Newcastle – and Graham Potter and his backroom staff to Chelsea – Brighton are on course for European competition and playing lovely football too.
In the cricket Steve Smith made his debut at New Road Worcester, scoring 30 runs.
The move was controversial but for us Sussex fans his dressing room presence will assist the group of youngsters who replaced the old order after the pandemic.
Some of this group did not prosper under the coaching of Ian Salisbury, who left last September, but the combination of a world class batsman and Paul Farbrace recruited from Warwickshire as Head Coach must lead to an improvement, both of their careers and red ball cricket at Sussex.
