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 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

Vicente’s A star!

By Paul Healey

Gus Poyet was full of praise for Vicente following his brace after coming off the bench at Brighton & Hove Albion’s home game against Portsmouth last Saturday.

Winning man of the match, ex-Valencia man Vicente, 30, is still only on a contract loan until the end of the season.

Injury and fitness problems have resulted in only two starts and nine appearances this season.

Poyet said, on his chances of playing for the Albion next season: ”It’s 50-50, because it depends how fit he is between now and the end of the season. If he plays the next ten games and we are in the play-offs, who knows? Then, oh my God!”

Albion, still unbeaten in the league in 2012, are now fifth in the table the first time they have been in the play-off zone since early December and their highest position since mid-October.

Meanwhile Norwegian development squad striker Agdestein has been awarded a new two-and-a-half year contract.

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.

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.

3 own goals and no FA Cup

By Paul Healey

Brighton’s FA cup run is over, with their defeat last Sunday at Anfield by Liverpool which I was delighted to attend. The fixture  ended in a forgettable 6-1 scoreline.

The away support was fantastic as always. And despite conceding after only 4 minutes, the game promised much when Brighton drew level on 16 minutes with a 25 yard free kick shot by Kazenga LuaLua. Liverpool were busier in the goal area though and  Brighton succumbed to a Glen Johnson header shortly before half time.  Further chances looked likely at half time, and Brighton were certainly in with a shout.

 The home fans were largely quiet right up until 60 minutes when the Fields Of Anfield Road echoed around the ground, no doubt enthused by key striker Andy Carroll who finally added to his low goal tally for the season with a drive on 56 minutes. Further goals were added when Steven Gerrard put away a ball the keeper failed to deal with, and with an embarrassing display of ball controlling skills by Lewis Dunk who put into his own net. Despite a penalty which Luis Suarez failed to convert, the controversial front man completed the rout with a goal on 84 minutes.

Two of the goals had unfortunately involved the ever-dependable Liam Bridcutt -  this meant it could be argued there had been 3 own goals, something never before happening in the history of the F.A. cup. Another uncomfortable statistic and manager Gus Poyet conceded that the defending had been unacceptable for a team vying for Premiership football.

Possession was 51%/49%. Shots on and off target totalled 30-9 to Liverpool. Match attendance was 43,940.