View from the away end: Brighton and Hove Albion Fan
We spoke to Brighton and Hove Albion supporter Andy Stonestreet to find out the current mood at the AMEX Stadium ahead of Cardiff City’s clash with the Seagulls this weekend.
The Seagulls’ fans are believing that this could finally be the year they clinch promotion back to the Premier League after a number of play-off failures.
By Jamie Kemble
Friday 2nd December 2016
We spoke to Andy Stonestreet from the North West Sussex Seagulls to find out the current mood at the AMEX and what Cardiff City fans need to know about their in-form opponents.
You’ve enjoyed a fine start to the season, talk us through your opening few months.
We are actually on exactly the same points tally as we were at this stage last season with 38 points but last season we were top.
Why has it gone so well? Consistency, belief and team spirit. After the disappointment of missing out so narrowly on an automation promotion spot and then seeing our play-off chances being blown away by injuries and poor referring decisions the team have come back stronger and more determined this season.
Just how important is Glenn Murray to Brighton? His experience looks to be key at the moment.
In a word, very. But don’t be fooled into thinking that if you stop Murray then you will stop Brighton, because there are others within the team who are ready to step in.
Murray aside, who else has performed well so far this season and who will Cardiff need to keep an eye on this weekend?
It’s difficult to pick out individual players as all seem to have raised their game but Dunk, Knockhaert, Stockdale have all been very impressive so far this season
You were hit by a surprise stuffing at Cardiff last season, are you better equipped this time around?
Thanks for reminding me. Wind and rain, and the game was all-but over before the first half had finished, and to top it off Albion old boy Noone made fun of us at half time in the Ricoh lounge (See you Saturday Craig).
As I’ve said, I think we are far stronger this season but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t be surprised again. This league is so unpredictable. Who would have thought that Blackburn would have beaten Newcastle last week?
Paul Trollope is now on-board at Brighton, he struggled here at the start of the season, do you think he can add something to Brighton now he’s back alongside Hughton?
I think he already has. In a very spirited second half at the American Express Community Stadium last week verses Fulham, the players got stuck in when they really needed to and came from a goal down to win. That second half display I believe had something to do with what was said at half time and I’m sure Paul was involved.
We have to ask you about the prospect of facing Neil Warnock, have you got any memories of facing him in the past? And does his presence change the way Brighton will need to approach a clash against a struggling Cardiff side.
We’ll play our own way, it’s worked so far this season so why change it. I’m sure some of our players we come in for some special treatment as seems the way with Warnock’s sides but we have players who can dish it out as well. Hopefully the ref will keep on top of things and allow those players with flair to play.
Finally, which way do you think the game will go on Saturday?
From memory I think I said 1-1 last season and I might just have to go for a draw again. We don’t score many goals away from home but we don’t concede many either (famous last words) so it will probably be a low scoring game.
Over the last month or so you have beaten Huddersfield, Forest and Bristol City but lost against, Villa, Newcastle and Wigan. Not many teams are going to beat Newcastle or the resurgent Villa but teams like Wigan you have to beat and that’s this division in nut shell. Any team on their day, can beat anyone.
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