The weather might have been doomy, gloomy and freezing over the past week but do not let that get you down with regards to football. And certainly do not let it lead you to boo Brighton, as happened after the post-Christmas home game against Brentford.
All teams go through difficult, winless runs when things do not go according to plan. One minute the football is fantastic. The next, it is distinctly average.
If it can happen to clubs like Arsenal and Manchester City, it can happen to us. Even Chelsea – supposedly back in title contention this season – have lost back-to-back games against Fulham and Ipswich Town.
Players need time to gel and that has not really happened for the Albion this season. All those new signings but injuries and interruptions have stopped them really lining up together.
It is in times like these that the Seagulls need our support more than ever; no matter how frustrating we may find the inconsistent performances of late.
What cannot help in the slightest is some members of the Amex crowd booing. It is unnecessary and quite upsetting to think that is how we treat players who are going out there and giving it their all.
Some have tried to downplay fan reaction at the end of the 0-0 draw with Brentford. But I and everyone else in the East Upper could hear the booing clearly.
We left the Amex that evening 11th place in the toughest league in the world for heaven’s sake, just six points away from fifth. These remain great times to support Brighton – and support is what we should be doing.
The evening began with a light show and fireworks to celebrate the final game at the Amex for 2024. The atmosphere was good at kick off with rousing applause and cheering following the signing of Sussex By The Sea.
Watching the MyAlbionTV highlights back afterwards and the commentator told us it was a century to the day that Brighton hosted Brentford in the old Division Three South at the Goldstone Ground.
I looked this game up afterwards and discovered the commentator had failed to mention the Albion were thrashed 4-1 on that occasion. At least this game against the Bees 100 years later was not a repeat. How far both clubs have come since being regular rivals in the third tier?
Julio Enciso was in a Premier League starting XI for the first time this season. It was not long before he had us out of our seats with a curling shot which swung onto the outside of the post. Had it been an inch inside, Brighton would have taken the lead and a very different game potentially played out.
Some quick thinking from Joao Pedro from a free kick put Kaoru Mitoma away down the left. The control from Mitoma was exquisite, as if his boots were made from Velcro.
Mitoma crossed and it met Enciso. Unfortunately, the young man from Parguay put his header too close to Mark Flekken, who made a good save in the Brentford goal.
Yoane Wissa put the ball in the back of the net next for Bees. VAR though came to the Albion’s rescue, ruling it out for offside.
Normal service was resumed as Brighton went back on the attack. Brajan Gruda gave 110 percent and created some chances. Matt O’Riley had two efforts, one deflected wide and one saved by Flekken.
It was end-to-end stuff in the first half which would have been a great watch for any neutrals tuning in on Amazon Prime.
Sadly, this is apparently the last season Prime will show Premier League football. This is a real shame as they have done a great job.
Brighton 0-0 Brentford was also the last commentary Clive Tyldesley will make to a UK audience. Prime losing their rights means he is without a job working for a domestic broadcaster. His voice is so recognisable and he will be sorely missed.
Mr Tyldesley would have been hoping to go out with a bang but unfortunately, the second half did not match the entertainment of the first.
A fellow supporter said to me it would be great if Solly March came on and scored the winner after 14 months out with an ACL injury.
Well, March did come on in the 88th minute. And would you believe it, he got a shot away with the final kick of the game.
Sadly, it went over the centre of the bar. Not quite a fairy tale return for March; but he has still done so well to come back from such a serious problem.
Come the full time whistle and the Albion recorded 58.1 percent possession and 24 shots compared to Brentford’s eight. Keep putting numbers like those on the board and a victory cannot be far away.
The new year now brings renewed hope for all of us and the Albion. As has been written elsewhere numerous times on WAB over the past week, would it not be the Brighton way to end this seven game winless run by beating a title challenging Arsenal side?
You may have guessed I am ever the optimist. Come on Albion, give me an excuse to be writing Seagulls Best Ever Season Volume 3 in 2025…
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
