" VIEW FROM THE BRIGHTON END "

CARDIFF CITY VS BRIGHTON: VIEW FROM THE AWAY END

19/02/16

By Jamie Kemble

Hove Albion in the Championship’s early kick-off on Saturday afternoon in front of the Sky Sports cameras. Ahead of the clash, we spoke to Brighton supporter Andy Stonestreet to get the view from the away end going into the fixture.

We spoke to Andy Stonestreet of the North West Sussex Seagulls Supporters Group ahead of Saturdays fixture and like his team, Andy was feeling confident before making the trip to Cardiff City Stadium. Brighton are enjoying a good season under Chris Hughton and are currently third in the Sky Bet Championship.


Q. Brighton have had a very good season so far, something very few were expecting from last season. How far do you think you will go? Do you fancy yourselves in the play-offs or is it automatics or nothing?

A. At this stage I think anything less than a play-off spot would be seen as a disappointment. When the Bluebirds visited the Amex back in October Albion were in the middle of a record breaking unbeaten run, stretching back 22 games to the end of last season. It only finished with a rather disappointing defeat to Middlesbrough, when we were down to our third choices for some of our starting eleven. As you know, anyone can beat anyone in this league so anything could happen and probably will.

Q. Who should we be looking out for in your starting XI? Who could win the game for Brighton?

A. This is easy, Anthony Knockeart. He joined us in the January transfer window and has been man of the match or close to it in every game he’s played. He help Leicester get promoted a couple of season ago before leaving them and joining Standard Liege. Your defenders better be on top form to stop him from dribbling right past them.
Q. Looking at the Cardiff team, who do you fear? Who will Brighton need to keep quiet to take points home from the Cardiff City Stadium?

A. With ex Seagulls favourite Craig Noone out, you always worry about ex-players scoring against you. I would have to say Peter Whittingham and Anthony Pilkington are the players I will be keeping an eye on.

Q. How far do you think Cardiff will go this season? Can they reach the play-offs or will they fade away?

A. The Bluebirds are still in with a chance of the play-off’s but you will need to start winning games on a regular basis to reach them. I would say Forest four points behind you are out of the running and Derby, well Derby are doing a Derby aren’t they? So it could be four teams from six for the play-off’s with Hull and Boro the most likely to go up automatically.

Q. Finally, How do you think the game will go on Saturday?

A. I don’t want to tempt fate but we have a solid defence and a great goalkeeper in David Stockdale so I would hope we don’t concede. Our attacking options are much better than they were with Hemed and Murphy as well as Zamora and Knockeart all very capable of finding the back of the net. You also have a good home record, only one defeat all season. Head says a draw heart says a win to the Seagulls.