What’s going wrong at Brighton?

Some might argue “Nothing at all” as the Seagulls, at the time of writing, are 9th. Yet they are winless in 4 games and have lost the last two London derbies 3-1 to Fulham and Crystal Palace – the latter, on Sunday, being hard to take as it was against our great rivals.

We have had injury problems and could not call upon Danny Welbeck nor Joel Veltman, but most clubs experience this crisis during a season.

Lewis Dunk – after years of terrific service – is showing his age and surely the combo of Van der Hecke and Igor will soon be restored?

And what of young Head Coach Fabian Hürzeler?

Is he up to it? I never like to see a coach complaining about a ref’s decision – after all, Palace scored twice after Michael Oliver ran into the ball leading to the visitors’ first goal, of which Hürzeler moaned.

The great rivalry – indeed enmity – between the two clubs was fuelled by controversial refereeing decisions.

Brighton have spent  a large fortune on young players but still only have one regular and reliable scorer in Joao Pedro.

Carlos Baleba is having a fabulous season but he cannot do it on his own in midfield.

Kouru Mitoma has gone off the boil and is no longer torturing defenders.

Brighton will not be relegated but their position is of concern … and Graham Potter is still unemployed.

I had the pleasure of giving lunch to Sussex CCC head coach Paul Farbrace last week.

Though he would not take any personal credit, I attribute to him Sussex’s successful promotion season.

Talking to Alan Tanner, we both – in praising our coaches – are desperate that they stay.