This week’s Albion Press Conference

By Paul Healey

 Today’s Amex Stadium conference included the views of Assistant Manager Mauricio Tarrico and players Liam Bridcutt and Sam Vokes.

There is a common view that every game is going to be like a cup final ahead of play-off rival Middlesbrough’s visit on Saturday.

Mauricio said: “At the start of the season we wanted a good championship team. We had not considered…the play-offs…which are nice to be in.”

The team do not feel they are under particular pressure and will be urged to carry on playing their normal game.

When asked how the next opponents are expected to play he said “We will know at 3:05!”.

He has seen many teams change the way they play when they come to the Amex.

Cool heads need to prevail unlike the debacle at local ground Crawley Town this week which ended in a post-match scrap and five red cards.

Mauricio jokingly left the conference with: “Are you going to ask me about new signings?!” when Gus Poyet had already stressed in the week the main focus is now on finishing in the play-offs.

Liam Bridcutt confirmed it works for him to think about the next game to come and not to get carried away with the league position.

Sam Vokes was asked if like Norwich his team had what it takes to be in the premiership and was firm on the point that it really could happen.

He said: “We will carry on with the lone striker and two wingers style of play or switch it depending on which works”.

Gary Dicker is confirmed as in the squad and may feature in the next game.

Nottingham Forest v Brighton Preview

By Paul Healey

Brighton travel up to Nottingham knowing that their fate is in their hands, as they have a real chance of making the play-offs with only eight games left.

Brighton only beat Forest 1-0 at the home fixture but a preceding 7-3 away win for Forest against Leeds could make for a spectacle here, Gary Mcleary hitting four.

Gary Dicker and Marcos Painter might make the bench although Brighton’s defence held up reasonably well mid-week. Assulin, the ex- Manchester City creative midfielder, has had his contract extended until the end of the season and is available with Adam El-Abd.  Defender Reyes has the first match ban for his red card; Tommy Elphick remains out with an Achilles problem.

Steve Cotterill’s men are not yet safe, and there will be late fitness tests for Danny Higginbotham and George Elokobi.

Brighton up to 4th!

By Paul Healey

Brighton beat sorry Derby on Tuesday 2-0 and remain fourth even after this weeks wednesday results.

The start given to defender Indigo Calderon paid almost immediate dividend as he scored after only 9 minutes and a further goal come from a Vicente cross in the 65th which Ashley Barnes only had to tap in.

Brighton dominated the first half and a good deal of the second but Jake Buxton headed over twice for the visitors after the break and Paul Green nodded wide from a Theo Robinson cross.

Kazenga LuaLua was a constant threat and well worth his start having been involved in the second goal and playing  80 minutes.

Brighton have put the 3-1 away loss at Blackpool behind them and there will be exciting times ahead with only eight games remaining.

Brighton v Derby Preview

By Paul Healey

Brighton will be without Gonzalo Jara Reyes for the Tues evening home game against Derby as the right-back starts a three-match ban following his red card at Blackpool, which was lost 3-1.

The match could see the return of Lewis Dunk or Marcos Painter to the back four, neither made the bench in the last game.

The Rams have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to the Amex Stadium and have just enjoyed victories against Nottingham Forest and Doncaster.

Forward Jamie Ward remains around ten days away from a return after missing five matches with a thigh injury, but long term absenties remain unavailable

Brighton 2 Portsmouth 0

By David Windsor

Two goals from Rodriguez Vicente gave Brighton a valuable three points to maintain their unbeaten run in 2012 with a 2-0 victory against Portsmouth at the Amex on Saturday.

Vicente came off the bench to fire a free-kick past Portsmouth goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown on 74 minutes, before slotting home in stoppage time after a neat cut-back from Kazenga LuaLua.

Brighton and Hove Albion, who were 11 games unbeaten going to the game, dominated the large periods of the second half but luck appeared to be with visitors; after Brighton defender Joe Mattock crashed a volley against the post.

Portsmouth, who were docked 10 points earlier this season for going into administration, had their moments in the opening 45 minutes, the best coming after a Scott Allen’s strike produced a fine save from Brighton goalkeeper Brezovan.

Pompey are rooted to the bottom of the Championship and there were no favours granted by their South coast neighbours as the substitute Vicente ultimately stole the show with a brace in the last 15 minutes. The injury-plagued, former Valencia winger who signed for the Seagulls in the hope of regular football has managed only 9 starts all season after injury set-backs.

Gus Poyet was full of praise for Vicente, labelling the Spaniard “the best player at the club” and it was hard to argue with his assessment after a display of such outstanding technical quality.

Vicente’s shirtless delight in front of the Amex crowd gained him a yellow card and if Brighton are to consolidate their position in the play-off places, the diminutive winger from Valencia will be crucial to their chances.

Seagulls still undefeated in 2012 after late comeback against Cardiff

By David Windsor

Credit: Warren christmas

Brighton maintained their unbeaten start to 2012 with a 2-2 draw against fellow promotion hopefuls Cardiff City last night.

With time running out in front of a nervous Amex crowd, it was left to Sam Vokes to plaster his name across the headlines and keep Brighton in touch of the top six by prodding home from close range.

The relief around the stadium was palpable and the draw leaves Brighton as the only unbeaten English club this calendar year, a statistic that they will be keen to preserve as the Championship enters the business end of the season.

Brighton v Portsmouth preview

By Ian Walker

Without a win in two games, Gus Poyet’s Brighton are hungry to get back to their winning ways.  Saturday sees the Seagulls taking on bottom of the league, Portsmouth; fans will be looking for a similar result to the away fixture, considering Portsmouth’s poor form this season.

No new team news ahead of Saturday’s southern stand off, Brighton are still anticipating the return of full-back Marcos Painter who is steadily on the mend after his hamstring injury put him out 18 weeks ago.  Meanwhile, Spanish midfielder Vicente Rodriguez is still short of match fitness however could return depending on training this weekend.  Midfielder Gary Dicker is edging slowly back to fitness and could also feature at the Saturday on Monday.

Meanwhile, 50 miles down the road, beleaguered south coast Portsmouth are riddled with woe, after administrators signed off captain Liam Lawrence to Cardiff last week, their peril continues.   Star Nigerian forward Kanu is out with a back problem and Kelvin Etuhu is also set to miss out with his ongoing hamstring problem.

Last year’s clash saw the Seagulls come away with victory at Fratton Park back in August, record signing Craig Mackail- Smith scoring his first goal for the Albion.  Portsmouth will be looking to grind out a victory, after their terrible seven game streak without a win.

Brighton on the other hand, are also suffering recently, after their fantastic start to the season, the Albion have only one win in the last six, Gus Poyet will be looking to leading scorer Ashley Barnes to put the Gulls back into the playoffs.

190 American Express jobs could be moved out of Brighton

By Harriet Thacker

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons by alexliivet

Almost 190 jobs at American Express’s European headquarters in Brighton could be moved overseas according to plans being considered by the firm.

Ex-England goalie David James makes Brighton & Hove Albion history

David James created Brighton & Hove Albion history on Saturday by becoming the first player to play both at the Amex Stadium and the old Goldstone Ground.

By Liam Dawes

Image courtesy of mcolairo

Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Notts Forest Match report

By Liam Dawes

Substitute Will Buckley scored an injury time winner to give Brighton a third consecutive Championship win against Nottingham Forest at the Amex Stadium.

Image used courtesy of jamesboyes

Match Preview: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Nottingham Forest

Following an important 1-0 victory away at Derby County on Tuesday night, goal difference is now all that separates Brighton from the play-off places.

Brighton and Hove Albion vs Coventry City 26/11/2011 3pm Preview

By Liam Dawes

Saturday 26th November, Amex Stadium, 3pm

Brighton manager Gus Poyet has declared midfielder Vicente Rodriguez fit for
Saturday’s clash with Coventry City.

Match Report: Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 Barnsley

By Paul Dantanus

After nearly two months and nine league games without a win, Brighton fans can finally let out a collective sigh of relief.

Goals from Gordon Greer and Ryan Harley either side of half-time ended the Seagulls’ winless drought dating back to September 10th.

Sport: The Facts Behind Albion’s Promotion

By Tom Stewart 

For Albion fans it has been the most glorious season in recent memory – promotion secured, a record winning run, a new 22,000 state-of-the-art stadium, and all done with a beautiful brand of football envied by every side outside Barcelona.

Albion's players deserve to celebrate after all theyve achieved this season (Pic: Paul Hazelwood)

Here are the facts behind a remarkable campaign:

• More wins this season than any other league side in England
• Not lost at home for over a year
• Have not lost back-to-back league fixtures all season
• Eleven consecutive home wins at the Withdean Stadium
• Collected a maximum 24 points from their eight fixtures in March
• Won 10 of the last 11 league games (only broken by 2-2 draw at in-form Rochdale)
• Six clean sheets in nine games (ironically bookended by two 4-3 wins)
• Fourth promotion at the Withdean
• First Football League team to secure promotion this season
• Will be crowned champions if they win at Walsall on Saturday.