Mark Dunford is joined by Brighton & Hove Albion writers Sam Morton, Richie Mills, and columnist and life-long Brighton fan Ian Hart. The Seagulls have so far enjoyed a dream debut European campaign, topping their Europa League group ahead of European heavyweights Marseille, Ajax and AEK Athens. Albion secured top spot courtesy of a late Joao Pedro strike against Marseille, to send Roberto De Zerbi’s charges into the last 16.
We look back on a memorable Europa League campaign so far for Brighton, and reflect on all the latest Albion action in the Premier League.
We look back on a memorable Europa League campaign so far for Brighton, and reflect on all the latest Albion action in the Premier League.
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00:00 (upbeat music)
00:02 - Hello, welcome to another episode
00:16 of Goal Malfaction podcast,
00:17 where we take a look at all the latest goings on
00:19 at Brighton and Hove Albion, Crawley Town
00:21 and Sporting Sussex.
00:22 But this week we're focusing purely on Brighton.
00:25 I'm Mark Dunford and I'm this week joined by
00:27 Brighton and Hove Albion writers, Sam Morton
00:30 and Richie Mills and columnist, lifelong Brighton fan
00:33 and all around legend Ian Hart.
00:35 The Seagulls have so far enjoyed a dream debut
00:37 European campaign topping their Europa League group
00:41 ahead of European heavyweights Marseille, Ajax
00:43 and AEK Athens.
00:45 I don't think we can call them heavyweights,
00:46 but Albion secured top spot courtesy
00:50 of a late Gael Pedro strike against Marseille
00:52 to send Roberto Deserbis charges into the last 16.
00:55 Well, look back at a memorable Europa League campaign
00:58 so far for Brighton and reflect on all the latest
01:01 Albion action in the Premier League.
01:03 You can read all the stories we are talking about
01:05 with videos and pictures online at
01:06 sussexworld.co.uk/sport.
01:10 Check out other great videos on Shots TV
01:12 and Freeview channel 276.
01:14 And you may also be watching this on latest TV.
01:17 So thank you for tuning in
01:18 if you are watching it on latest TV.
01:21 So Gael Pedro's 88th minute strike saw Brighton beat Marseille
01:24 1-0 in front of a raucous Amex crowd
01:27 to leapfrog their French opponents
01:29 and finish first in Group B.
01:30 You were there, Sam.
01:32 Can you sum that game up for us?
01:34 - It was incredible, really.
01:36 It was one of the games of the season for Brighton.
01:39 It was a strange one,
01:40 because obviously they were already qualified going into it.
01:42 They knew that they're already through
01:44 to the next round of the Europa League,
01:47 but the game basically decided whether they would go
01:50 into a knockout round or a playoff round
01:52 or straight through to the round of 16.
01:55 And they knew that Marseille only needed a point.
01:59 So the onus was on Brighton to get the three points,
02:02 to go back to the top of the group.
02:04 And they definitely were the better team
02:06 in that they had all the possession, most of the chances,
02:09 but they were made to wait until right at the end of the game
02:11 when Gael Pedro scored.
02:13 It was a superb goal, really, really good finish.
02:16 - Yeah, it was a great finish, wasn't it?
02:19 - Yeah, it was fantastic.
02:20 And it just, the crowd went absolutely crazy.
02:22 I've never seen a reaction like it at the Amex, I think.
02:24 It was really up there with one of the all-time moments,
02:27 I think, in the Amex,
02:28 and fans have definitely compared it
02:30 with some of the best moments.
02:31 And I think that it's the best one
02:33 since Alexis McAllister's last second penalty
02:35 against Man United last season,
02:37 I think in the eighth minute of injury time.
02:40 So it was an excellent moment.
02:42 It put Brighton to the top of the group,
02:44 and it's so important when you think the number of games
02:46 that Brighton have had this season
02:48 and the injuries they've had,
02:49 I think just to be able to play two fewer games
02:52 in the new year is just a real bonus.
02:55 And to go straight through to the round of 16s
02:57 is incredible and just a new chapter
03:00 in the crazy story of Brighton in the last few years.
03:04 - Absolutely.
03:05 Post-match, Gael Pedro said scoring the winner
03:07 was the best moment of his life,
03:09 while RDZ admitted the Marseille result
03:12 was the best moment in his time at the Seagulls.
03:14 Where does this performance rank among Albion's
03:17 and RDZ's best at Brighton, Richie?
03:20 - Well, I think it's got to be right up there.
03:22 I think from sort of, you know, first minute to last,
03:24 I think there are games where Brighton
03:26 have probably played better during Deservey's tenure.
03:30 The one that kind of stands out for me
03:31 was Brighton's 3-0 win against Arsenal
03:35 last season at the Emirates.
03:37 Just sort of crushed their faltering
03:39 Premier League title hopes.
03:40 But yeah, I mean, in terms of just coming up
03:45 with the goods when they really needed it,
03:48 Xiao Pedro, you know, 30 million is not cheap,
03:53 but he's definitely making it seem as if
03:54 it's a very good, worthwhile purchase.
03:57 They, yeah, I think they weren't sort of
04:01 clicking in all areas.
04:03 I think, you know, Matoma's still maybe not quite
04:05 at his best.
04:06 Idingra, although he's sort of getting into good position,
04:11 sometimes his final ball wasn't quite there.
04:13 Pascal Gros is still playing fantastically well.
04:17 Although he didn't obviously miss a bit of a big chance
04:20 on the weekend ball, come to my show.
04:22 And obviously Brighton got lots of injuries,
04:26 but I think if you sort of weigh up all the fact
04:29 that they're playing, you know, midweek weekend,
04:31 midweek weekend, they've got a lot of injuries.
04:34 This is sort of uncharted territory for them.
04:36 If you sort of put that all into the mix,
04:39 then it is definitely one of the sort of the most,
04:42 I guess, standout wins from his tenure.
04:46 And, you know, to, with the fact that they have got
04:50 sort of a Fred Bear squad, and I think this weekend
04:52 he was deserving jokes that he might have to play
04:55 Jason Steeler right back after Joel Veltman's injury.
04:58 The, for them not to have to do another two legs
05:03 against a Champions League time, you know, team.
05:06 - So important.
05:07 - That's a big, big, sorry, boost.
05:09 So, yeah, I think better performances,
05:12 but a really monumental result.
05:14 - Yeah, absolutely.
05:15 Now, Harte, you've been in Dreamland, haven't you?
05:18 I think you've attended all the game,
05:19 group stage games, haven't you?
05:21 What has the experience been?
05:23 Sorry?
05:25 - Hello? Yeah, yeah, no.
05:27 - Yeah, yeah.
05:27 What has the experience been like as a Brighton fan
05:30 and what have been your highlights
05:31 of a memorable campaign so far?
05:33 - Well, it's been superb.
05:36 Just want to pick you up.
05:37 You said AEK, you wouldn't call them European giants.
05:40 They were the only people that beat us in, you know,
05:43 in the group. - Yeah, but they're not giants,
05:44 though, are they?
05:46 - When you think it's the greatest,
05:49 one of the greatest, got to be one of the greatest
05:52 comebacks in European club football, you know,
05:55 70, 110 minutes into our European campaign,
05:58 we'd lost at home to AEK
06:00 and we're two-nil down against Marseille.
06:02 To come back from that, from winning the group,
06:05 is absolutely dreamland.
06:07 - Yeah.
06:09 - I've had a few, I've had quite a mixed bag
06:13 on my travels.
06:15 I famously missed the first 35 minutes in Marseille
06:19 'cause our flight got delayed.
06:22 I got headbutted in Amsterdam and tear gassed in Athens.
06:25 So I'm looking at the draw to see what's gonna happen
06:27 to me next.
06:28 But the thing that got me about Thursday,
06:34 yeah, it was, and you know, 50 years,
06:39 it was one of the great nights.
06:42 And just before we came on here,
06:44 you, you, you gents were talking about theatre trips
06:48 and going up to see Back to the Future
06:49 and Book of Mormon and whatever, Jersey Boys.
06:52 Now, any theatre goer,
06:55 would they leave 10 minutes before the end?
06:58 But why do I see people leaving the Albion at 86 minutes,
07:04 even earlier than that?
07:06 You know, if, and then now they've missed out,
07:10 they must be absolutely devastated
07:13 'cause they have missed out.
07:14 I've got to put my hands up.
07:16 I have only left early ones.
07:17 In 50 years at an Albion home game,
07:22 we were playing Sudbury in the FA Cup replay in 1996.
07:27 And we were nil-nil and we could still be playing now
07:32 and we wouldn't have scored.
07:34 And I knew 'cause my wife was out working
07:36 and I had a babysitter who had exams.
07:40 I knew I was wasting my time
07:41 and that of the time of my babysitter.
07:44 So I left at 90 minutes before extra time
07:47 and we lost on penalties.
07:48 But I was watching people on, you know,
07:53 a Thursday night leaving at nil-nil.
07:57 Yeah, we rode our luck,
07:58 they hit the woodwork a couple of times,
08:01 but we know that footballing gods smile on the Albion
08:03 when it really matters.
08:05 I knew that goal was coming.
08:08 I think Pedro, I don't want to do Evan Ferguson
08:11 a disservice now,
08:14 but we can wax lyrical about him as much as we want.
08:21 Pedro is the better player
08:25 and will always be the better player.
08:27 In three years' time when there's a World Cup in America,
08:30 Canada, Mexico, wherever else they're going,
08:33 the Republic of Ireland might be there
08:36 and Ferguson might be up front for the Republic of Ireland.
08:40 He probably will be up front for them
08:42 whether they're there or not.
08:44 Pedro will be the number nine for Brazil,
08:47 one of the best teams in the world.
08:50 That's how good this boy is.
08:52 Luther Blissett told Paul Cameron
08:55 and the boys at the club last summer,
08:58 "You don't realise what you've got for your money.
09:01 You have got a world-class player in the making."
09:05 And so Pedro really, really excites me.
09:07 So when he jumped into the crowd,
09:10 that's the stuff of dreams.
09:12 I know the stewards and the health and safety executive
09:16 going mad, aren't they?
09:18 Did he get booked?
09:19 'Cause I was still on a high.
09:21 - Yeah, yeah, he got booked.
09:23 Yeah, he did.
09:24 - He did get booked.
09:25 But why is he getting booked?
09:26 We just won a European group.
09:29 He's just scored a wonder goal at home.
09:31 He's just given us the greatest ending to a group stage.
09:36 Can we get a card?
09:38 Absolutely mad.
09:39 It has been a great experience.
09:43 Probably the squad isn't quite big enough
09:48 to cope with all these injuries.
09:51 We've had this European hangover, haven't we?
09:56 I don't think, have we not won a game after Europe?
10:00 Have we not won a game after Europe?
10:01 - You beat Sheffield United, didn't you?
10:03 Was that the one that they did?
10:05 - No, we didn't beat Sheffield United.
10:08 - Oh, shut up now.
10:09 - We drew one Uckermark.
10:10 This is the whole point.
10:10 We've drawn points against Fulham, Sheffield United,
10:15 and we've drawn Burnley.
10:17 That wasn't after Europe, to be fair.
10:19 So I just think, look, we've got to go with the positives.
10:24 We're now seeded.
10:28 I don't actually fear any team in this competition
10:32 because with the manager that we've got
10:34 and the players we've got when they're fit
10:36 and on their day, I think we can beat anyone.
10:40 I'm telling you this, on the 18th of December,
10:42 I think we can win this competition.
10:46 And I think we have a manager who is focused
10:51 and I think he's got it in his locker.
10:54 Imagine us winning a European competition.
10:57 Crazy, isn't it?
10:58 - It'd be incredible.
10:59 It'd be absolutely incredible.
11:00 On that point, obviously you've avoided the playoff.
11:04 You go straight into the last 16
11:05 and there's the likes of Rangers, Xabi Alonso,
11:07 Bayer Leverkusen, Bieler Real.
11:10 They all top their respective groups,
11:11 but you've got the likes of AC Milan and Benfica
11:14 dropping down from the Champions League.
11:16 Who, it's not until February the draw, is it?
11:19 So who would you fancy in the next round?
11:21 Where do you want to go?
11:23 - Bear in mind my misfortune on the road so far
11:25 with my aforementioned incidents.
11:29 I don't want to go to Galatasaray
11:31 'cause I'm not sure I'd come back.
11:34 But no, look, let's do a Milan, let's do Benfica.
11:39 Yeah, I did say that I wouldn't mind,
11:43 and you have to be careful when you say this,
11:45 going to Young Boys or Salzburg or something like that.
11:49 Something a bit refined, castles and cathedrals,
11:54 because we have been, the old velvet bag
11:57 has thrown us up three places that,
12:01 in places, the cities that we've visited
12:04 have been welcoming.
12:06 Parts of Amsterdam, very welcoming.
12:08 But we've also had three sets of supporters
12:11 that were somewhat robust.
12:13 And that's the nicest way of putting it.
12:16 - Very diplomatic, yeah.
12:18 - I don't, you know, when they bussed us back from Marseille,
12:22 every stop we came to, every set of traffic lights
12:26 or junction, there was a Marseille local,
12:30 in inverted commas, threatening to slit my throat,
12:33 which I thought was very consistent, wasn't it?
12:35 'Cause there wasn't a traffic stop
12:37 and that didn't happen there.
12:39 But look, it is what it is.
12:42 If we want to win it, we have to draw,
12:45 we have to play who we draw.
12:48 We can't play anybody from our own country
12:50 till the last eight, can we?
12:52 - I think that's right.
12:53 - Yeah, that's right.
12:54 - And, but being that, 'cause both West Ham
12:56 and Liverpool and Rangers are all seeded anyway,
12:59 I think it's good with the seeding
13:02 that we have the home leg second.
13:04 But look, let's just embrace it.
13:08 Let's just enjoy it.
13:10 How does it work?
13:11 'Cause you boys are a lot younger than me
13:13 and you're well-read.
13:15 If we sign anybody in the transfer window,
13:19 if they haven't played in Europe,
13:21 they can play, can't they?
13:23 - Who wants to answer that?
13:26 - I think so.
13:27 Yeah, I think unless they've already played,
13:29 they won't be cut-side.
13:31 - So, no, but that's in all competitions.
13:33 So if they played in the conference,
13:34 either the Champions League or our cup conference,
13:38 they're all cut-side.
13:39 - I believe you can register players again in January.
13:43 So for example, Jakob Moders wasn't in the European squad
13:47 for the first half of the season.
13:49 But I think in January, you can sort of refresh
13:51 your 25-man Premier League squad
13:54 and the other cup competitions.
13:55 So there could be a bit of a rejig.
13:58 - Well, if that's so, then Uncle Tony,
14:00 a Christmas list to you.
14:03 Can you go and sign Conor Gallagher, please?
14:06 'Cause he's not cut-side.
14:09 - No, fair enough, yeah.
14:10 - Ooh.
14:11 - Ooh.
14:12 - My uncle used to work with his auntie on British Airways
14:14 and he's mates with Billy Gilmore
14:16 and he loves the South Coast.
14:18 So it's all synergy and it's all working into one.
14:21 Conor, come and join us.
14:23 We'll forget the Palace loan thing.
14:25 We will never speak of that again, but come and join us.
14:29 - Richie, what do you think of that?
14:32 - What?
14:33 (laughing)
14:35 I don't know if there's gonna be,
14:38 I think enough, more time might need to have passed
14:41 for there to be that synergy that you talk of.
14:43 I'm not sure if that'll go down too well.
14:45 - He got a lot of abuse on you last week, didn't he?
14:47 Out of Stratford Bridge, when he got sent off.
14:50 And the Brighton fans definitely gave him an earful.
14:53 So yeah, it'd been interesting.
14:55 - Well, look, time is a great healer.
14:58 He's a quality player, isn't he?
15:01 - Yeah, yes, yeah.
15:02 - In all seriousness, with this squad,
15:05 and we've learned the lessons of the Thursday, Sunday,
15:08 although sometimes it's about taking your chances.
15:11 So the injuries have hurt us.
15:13 We need two quality signs in the transfer window,
15:18 a statement of intent.
15:20 'Cause we've now got, we're not gonna,
15:21 I'm gonna upset a lot of people,
15:23 we're not gonna win the Premier League this year.
15:25 I think that's gone.
15:26 But we still have now two competitions in the FA Cup
15:30 and the Europa League that we could win
15:33 if the squad is strong enough and stays injury-free.
15:38 So I think with that in mind, two big signings,
15:42 a statement of intent.
15:43 And Richie, I've got to take issue with you.
15:48 Football fans, a bit like Goldfish,
15:50 sometimes they have long memories, sometimes they don't.
15:53 If he comes in for us and hits the ground running
15:56 and links up with wee Billy Gilmore,
15:59 who is turning out to be a quality player,
16:02 people will forget.
16:04 We forgot when Glenn had his baticle at Selo's Bath,
16:07 didn't we?
16:08 You know, one of my heroes.
16:11 - Banging in, banging in.
16:12 - He had a bit of money in the bank though beforehand.
16:14 He'd sort of earned his stripes.
16:17 - Yeah, yeah.
16:18 - But yeah, it's a fair point.
16:21 - It'll be interesting.
16:23 Just out of interest, Richie, and I won't hold you to it.
16:27 If we could have two quality signings,
16:30 can you see anybody out there that would fit into our team?
16:35 You know how it works?
16:36 - It's a good question.
16:39 I'm not gonna avoid the question,
16:41 but I am gonna say that-
16:43 - This is like Michelle Moe.
16:44 (laughing)
16:47 - Deservey has basically said that the starting 11
16:50 isn't as good as it was last season
16:53 because they lost Caicedo and MacAster in Colwell.
16:56 And I do feel that generally the midfield
16:58 is an area that in last season was sort of dominating teams.
17:02 - Yeah.
17:03 - That sort of pivot of MacAster and Caicedo
17:05 was just so potent.
17:07 And I feel they've lost that edge.
17:09 So I do feel that if they can, I completely agree.
17:12 I do feel that if they can sign a real enforcer in midfield
17:17 and maybe a bit more of a creative attacking midfielder
17:20 just to help unlock defenses sometimes
17:22 when they put every man behind the ball.
17:26 - Sort of like a Conor Gallagher type, yeah?
17:28 Is that what you're saying?
17:29 (laughing)
17:31 - Yeah, I think they need to build a midfield
17:32 around Billy Gilmore, though.
17:33 Billy Gilmore's been exceptional.
17:35 He's only getting better and better every game.
17:37 I think that game against Marseille,
17:38 he was by far the best I've ever seen him.
17:42 He was probably a 10 out of 10 performance from him, really.
17:44 He was exceptional.
17:46 I think it was two nutmegs,
17:47 about four tackles in the box.
17:49 And yeah, he's brilliant.
17:50 - Absolutely.
17:51 And he's the unsung hero.
17:54 He's the unsung hero of it all.
17:56 But it's about blending in.
17:58 It's about your surroundings.
17:59 Where does he live?
18:00 Worthing.
18:01 That's all we need to say.
18:02 He's a worthy boy.
18:03 (laughing)
18:05 - Excellent.
18:06 Right, we went off topic a little bit there,
18:07 but yeah, good discussion.
18:08 Quickly, Sam, who would you like to see him get
18:11 in the next round?
18:13 - I think AC Milan would be a great one.
18:15 AC Milan or Roma, one of those two.
18:17 - Oh, get Mourinho.
18:19 Love it.
18:20 Yeah, absolutely.
18:21 And Richie?
18:22 - I remember, I think I've seen online
18:25 some Brighton fans dreading the prospect
18:28 of Gareth Tassaray and Wilfred Saha knocking them out.
18:30 (laughing)
18:32 - That'd be annoying.
18:33 - On the flip side, it would be funny
18:34 to maybe get one back on him.
18:36 But yeah, I think sort of the,
18:38 going to like the San Siro, that would be pretty epic.
18:42 - Yeah, absolutely.
18:44 Cool.
18:45 Before Brighton's heroics, I must say,
18:46 they were held to a one-all draw
18:48 by a relegation friend, Burnley,
18:50 thanks in no small part to a sensational goalkeeper
18:52 and performance from Clarence keeper, James Trafford.
18:55 Sam, what was that game like?
18:58 Seems like a long time ago now.
18:59 - It does, yeah.
19:00 It was a frustrating game.
19:01 I think it's one of those where Brighton have,
19:04 kind of deja vu, really.
19:05 They've had it against Fulham, Sheffield United,
19:08 and Burnley, I think it's one of those games
19:11 where they're expected to win.
19:12 They've come in on the back of a European game
19:16 and they've not been firing on all cylinders.
19:19 And I think against Burnley,
19:21 I suppose it was slightly different
19:22 because they had lots of shots on goal,
19:23 but James Trafford, as you say, was exceptional
19:26 and was saving everything.
19:28 And then Burnley took the lead for a deflected strike
19:31 and you kind of feel it worse at that point.
19:33 It's just history repeating itself
19:34 and Brighton not putting the chances away
19:37 and really just taking the game away from Burnley
19:41 when they had the chances.
19:43 But thankfully they did get a point
19:45 and Simon Odinga scored a cracking header
19:47 from a Pascal Gros cross, which was an excellent cross.
19:50 And it was a really nice goal.
19:52 And I think definitely the least Brighton deserved
19:55 from the game, really.
19:57 It was frustrating that they didn't get the win,
19:59 but as long as they didn't lose
20:01 and they kept that run going of scoring,
20:05 obviously it was eventually ended at Arsenal,
20:07 but they managed to score another Premier League game
20:10 and kept that run going.
20:13 I think the Serbian said at the end of the game
20:14 that they're not going to be a top team
20:16 until they win these type of games.
20:18 And he's not going to be a top manager
20:19 until they win these type of games.
20:21 And obviously it was probably said in the heat at the moment
20:23 but you can kind of see where he's coming from, really.
20:27 I think Brighton, they need to find that balance, I guess.
20:31 And it's difficult with all the injuries they've got
20:32 and they're never able to play one solid team
20:35 week in, week out.
20:36 And that's just something completely out of their hands.
20:39 But I think, yeah, as time goes on
20:41 and they get more used to playing in the European games,
20:44 you'd hope that it's not going to be a one-off,
20:46 that you'd hope they'd get used to it
20:48 and they'd be able to follow that up
20:49 with a good performance in the league as well.
20:52 - Yeah.
20:53 Richie, Sam touched on the Serb's comments after the game
20:56 about not being a top team, not being a top coach.
20:58 Do you think they were heat at the moment
21:00 or do you think they have still got a way to go,
21:03 both him and the team?
21:04 - Yeah, it's an interesting one.
21:06 I mean, 'cause I do personally feel that he is
21:10 definitely one of the best managers in the Premier League.
21:12 And unfortunately I do think one day a so-called,
21:17 you know, top club will come in
21:18 and probably try to pinch him.
21:20 But yeah, I mean, personally, his hands are tied a lot
21:27 by the fact that he's having to,
21:28 I mean, if you look at the bench,
21:30 it's just full of under 21 players.
21:32 So there's only so much you can do.
21:36 And, but, you know, they're sort of generally seen as,
21:42 I think, two schools of thought
21:44 on how to sort of get at Brighton team.
21:46 One is to do what Arsenal did with a crazy high pressing,
21:51 very efficient, organised attack.
21:53 Or the other one is to sort of maybe,
21:55 the worst example last season was Everton at home
21:58 and the 5-1 loss, I think,
22:00 when you just sit back and you hit them on the transition.
22:03 So those sorts of weaknesses are always gonna be there
22:09 in De Serby's style of play.
22:10 And I don't know if you can completely iron them out
22:13 because, you know, we've also seen on the flip side
22:15 how they're able to draw in, you know,
22:19 sort of entice the pressing team in
22:22 and then outmanoeuvre them.
22:23 And then they have, you know, an overload
22:26 and then they can score goals the other way.
22:28 So no, I guess, sort of tactical system is perfect.
22:32 They're all gonna have flaws.
22:34 Maybe over time, he might be able to find ways around that.
22:40 But I do think the fact that there are missing personnel,
22:43 key personnel, is making that harder for them.
22:45 So while I do think he is a very, very good coach,
22:50 maybe he's not like an elite coach,
22:53 sort of the very, very best,
22:55 but yeah, I think maybe he's being a bit harsh on himself,
22:59 but it is, you know, frustrating for Brighton fans in code
23:03 that they are struggling.
23:05 There's sort of a pattern
23:06 where they can't seemingly put away these teams
23:10 like Sheffield United, like a Burnley, like a Fulham,
23:13 where they had the chance to do it
23:15 and then they just couldn't put them away.
23:18 But again, I think there's a number of factors why that.
23:22 So there's my waffling answer.
23:25 - Do you think Brighton are gonna struggle
23:27 to keep hold of De Zerby at the end of the season?
23:28 Hi.
23:29 - I'm not sure about the end of the season.
23:33 I think he will have a game plan
23:38 where he'll want to win a trophy.
23:40 We all want him to win a trophy.
23:43 So I don't know.
23:46 I think you're right.
23:47 I think anytime one of the bigger clubs will come calling,
23:51 although it would have to be a hell of an offer.
23:55 I think maybe he'll play the long game
23:58 and go for the pep job when pep goes,
24:02 or perhaps when Jurgen Klopp finally
24:04 hangs his hat up and leaves Liverpool.
24:08 I don't know.
24:09 I think there's probably only two clubs
24:11 that he'd leave Brighton for now in the Premier League.
24:15 My big concern is one of the big Italian clubs
24:18 because he's a proud Italian.
24:20 So if the likes of Inter or AC or Juventus,
24:24 or someone like that comes calling.
24:27 So who knows?
24:30 We've just got to embrace it.
24:32 We talked about those three games,
24:34 Sheffield United, Fulham and Burnley.
24:37 I put in the column last week,
24:38 we have 58 shots on goal in those three games.
24:42 58 shots on goal.
24:44 I'm old enough to remember when we didn't do that
24:46 in a season.
24:47 So we've got three games there.
24:50 So that's how we have to,
24:52 we have to realise how lucky we are
24:55 and we have to embrace it.
24:57 But the good thing is the recruitment cogs,
25:01 all the wheels,
25:02 they've probably got someone lined up already.
25:06 If he does leave, or someone in mind.
25:10 So just so long as it's not agent Potter,
25:13 because he's got a job to do.
25:14 Because if agent Potter goes to Manchester United,
25:18 that frees up one European place.
25:20 We know that, doesn't it?
25:21 So that's good.
25:22 - Yeah.
25:22 - Come on, Jim Ratcliffe, do your stuff.
25:24 So no, so look,
25:26 let's just enjoy it while we've got it.
25:28 I do apologise that we went a little bit off piste,
25:34 but we do need two quality signings.
25:36 And then I think the second half of the season's
25:38 going to be really exciting,
25:41 because we've got two iconic trophies that we can go for.
25:45 And it's going to take a good team
25:47 to knock us out of either competition.
25:49 - He says before the third round exit is stoke.
25:53 (laughing)
25:56 - Actually, looking at,
25:57 I'm clearly looking at the Arsenal games, Sam.
25:58 That was, it was pretty dominant.
26:01 They got what they deserved, Arsenal.
26:04 - Yeah, I think exactly that, really.
26:06 Arsenal were brilliant.
26:07 I think they definitely had kind of those ghosts
26:11 of the past to kind of make amends for, really.
26:14 I think it's obviously,
26:15 that Brighton had won three home bouts at the Emirates.
26:17 And Arsenal definitely wanted to put that right.
26:20 And they were on top from minute one, to be honest,
26:22 and they should have been leading at half time.
26:24 But you have to give Brighton credit
26:25 for the way they defended.
26:26 It was superb, really.
26:28 Lewis Dunk and Jan-Paul van Gecke, especially,
26:30 were phenomenal, really, defensively.
26:33 They were just throwing their bodies at everything,
26:35 defending everything.
26:36 And it was just a shame that it was van Gecke
26:38 that it was his defensive header that ended up
26:40 at the back post for Jesus to put it in unmarked.
26:43 And it was an unfortunate way to conceive.
26:46 And they defended so well that they then conceded
26:49 a such a sloppy goal.
26:50 And it all came from Bart van Bruggen's kick
26:53 straight to Declan Rice.
26:56 And van Gecke did stop it from being a goal,
26:58 but it went out for the corner
26:59 and it did result in a goal.
27:01 So, a frustrating way to concede
27:03 after they defended so well for so long.
27:05 But it was probably the least that Arsenal deserved.
27:08 Brighton then did have some chances.
27:10 I think they could have nicked a point completely
27:12 against a runner player, Pascal Gros, in the second half.
27:15 And he should have scored really,
27:17 especially for a man of his quality from Matomas Kroos.
27:22 But I think De Serbi touched on it at the end of the game
27:23 that it would have been quite unfair result
27:25 if Brighton had nicked a point.
27:27 But I think he's going to be pleased
27:28 that they did hang on in there basically
27:31 and could have nicked a point on another day.
27:34 And that's all because of how well they did defend.
27:36 And it really was backs to the wall kind of stuff.
27:38 And Arsenal did obviously steal the win through Kai Havertz.
27:41 And it was, as I say, a really deserved win for Arsenal.
27:45 And the first time Brighton failed to score all season.
27:47 So, and that's crazy in itself really.
27:50 Probably it was only a matter of time
27:52 before that run came to an end, you'd kind of say.
27:55 But I think De Serbi said after the game
27:58 that it's very unlike Brighton to be completely nullified.
28:02 They barely had the ball,
28:03 which is completely unlike Brighton.
28:05 And they suffered a lot in the game.
28:07 And De Serbi did say that could be a positive going forward.
28:10 They maybe showed a different side we've not seen before
28:12 where they've not had any of the ball,
28:14 but they've just had to sit back and defend
28:15 and try and hit teams on the break.
28:17 So, on another day that could have worked.
28:19 As I say, Arsenal did obviously get over the line,
28:22 but it was very close to being a very
28:26 snatch and grab like draw if Pascal Grose would have scored.
28:29 - Yeah.
28:30 I've had to cut a few questions.
28:32 Sorry, chaps.
28:33 But hopefully Brighton will be back on scoring this week,
28:36 Harty, when they take on Palace at Southurst Park.
28:40 - Can't wait, I can't wait.
28:43 Can't wait.
28:44 You can't wait.
28:44 Are these the kind of games you really look forward to?
28:47 Yeah?
28:48 - The Palace game, when the fixtures come out,
28:51 the Palace game is the first fixture
28:53 you look at home and away.
28:56 It's the one, it's because it's emotive.
28:59 I went to the Legends lunch on Friday
29:02 and Alan Muller, he was talking about
29:04 the rivalry with Venables in the 70s with Brighton Palace.
29:08 It is the game we all look forward to.
29:12 There's been peaks and troughs.
29:14 I mean, in our dark days, which you three,
29:18 as I said, you're a few years younger than me,
29:21 Palace, via the fanzine that I used to write, Goals Eye,
29:25 they sent us notice of termination of the rivalry
29:29 because they said we weren't good enough.
29:31 That we were going to be rivals with Cholet.
29:33 They actually sent us an official document saying,
29:38 well, it was a joke, you know, a mock term.
29:42 We don't want to be your rivals anymore
29:43 because you're not good enough.
29:45 You know, and it's like little things.
29:47 And you talk about Zaha, you know,
29:49 and the goals in the playoff semi-final,
29:52 you know, when we'd absolutely murdered them
29:55 at Selhurst Park and we came back
29:57 and we were doing silly things like booking buses
29:59 for Wembley, which we shouldn't have done.
30:01 And we learned a very valuable lesson that day, that night.
30:05 But I really am looking forward to it.
30:08 It's quite ironic, my coffin supplier's
30:11 taking me on Thursday in corporate hospitality.
30:14 Let's hope it's not enough.
30:16 Well, let's hope it's a nail in Roy Hudson's coffin.
30:18 There are other coffins available.
30:23 No, so I'm really looking forward to it.
30:26 And I do think it is a game that just gets the juices going
30:31 because hate is a very strong word.
30:34 So you shouldn't say that, but we dislike them intensely
30:38 and they equally dislike us intensely.
30:43 But the difference between the clubs is
30:46 we're in the Hilton Hotel and they're in the Premier Inn.
30:50 And, but I never want them to get relegated.
30:53 And I never want to send them a cessation of rivalry
30:57 because rivalry is what football is about.
30:59 It's the lifeblood of football.
31:02 And I never want them to go down.
31:03 They can finish 17 every season.
31:07 I don't care.
31:08 I don't want them to go down
31:09 because it's always got to be there.
31:11 You know, I did say to my Amy,
31:13 all right, she's brought a Tottenham fan home.
31:15 He's given me a lovely grandson.
31:17 I did say to her when she started dating,
31:19 please never bring a Palace fan home
31:22 because it will cause a divide that cannot be healed.
31:28 - Excellent stuff.
31:31 Richie, you're going to be there on Thursday night, I think.
31:34 Palace obviously go into the game
31:35 after an excellent draw with Man City.
31:38 Where do you see this game being won or lost for both teams?
31:41 You're on mute, mate.
31:44 - Sorry.
31:47 So basically I did a bit of research beforehand
31:53 and sort of the, which is crazy.
31:57 So yeah, basically it seems as if Palace's
32:00 sort of weaknesses currently are one,
32:03 keeping possession of the ball,
32:05 finishing scoring chances
32:07 and defending against attacks down the wings.
32:10 This is according to the website, Who Scored.
32:12 And so I guess, you know, currently,
32:17 sort of, if you think about that,
32:21 defending against attacks on the wings.
32:23 Matoma, when he's on form, lethal.
32:25 Edunga has also had a very good start to life at Brighton.
32:28 So hopefully that's two focal points right there
32:32 who can cause them all sorts of trouble.
32:35 I think going by, you know, Palace under Roy,
32:42 they're not the most aggressive team.
32:47 So I do think that it might be a case of sitting back
32:50 and then trying to counter attack.
32:51 What we're interested to see is if Eze,
32:55 who's a very good player for Palace, will be fit.
32:58 I know he's been sort of in and out
32:59 with injuries this season.
33:01 I know Elise is back and obviously he scored
33:04 that equalising goal against City.
33:06 But I think the two of them together are very, very potent.
33:10 And I feel they're not as strong without both.
33:14 So I feel, yeah, if Brighton can stay disciplined enough,
33:20 I think sometimes what's interesting is that Brighton,
33:26 if they're pressed very hard,
33:28 they can be forced into mistakes
33:30 and then they can be hit on the counter attack
33:31 or, you know, press out of the pitch.
33:33 But I feel if they can be precise,
33:35 then I do think they have enough quality to beat Palace.
33:38 And hopefully they can,
33:40 obviously they were robbed last season
33:41 with that terrible decision for purposes of stupidity
33:46 and they were chalked off.
33:47 So hopefully they can right the wrongs from that
33:49 and beat them at Sales Park.
33:52 - Cool, brilliant.
33:53 And Sam, how do you see it going?
33:54 And how are the sea goals stacked for this game
33:56 with injury-wise and that?
33:59 - Yeah, so Joel Veltman,
34:00 it looks like he's going to be out for this game.
34:03 Obviously we already know that Antifatti,
34:05 Julio Asiso, Lamptey are all still out.
34:09 But Danny Welbeck did return against Arsenal
34:12 and that was a real boost to have him back
34:14 because then they definitely missed him.
34:15 I think Evan Ferguson has obviously had some injury problems
34:18 and has not been firing all cylinders.
34:21 So having Danny Welbeck with a bit of experience back,
34:24 a different option,
34:24 because they've not really had that at all.
34:27 Apart from Sergio Pedro,
34:28 who's obviously played a little bit deeper in games
34:30 and has been his most prolific in Europe.
34:33 But I think having him back is a real boost, 100%.
34:38 And hopefully, as Richie said,
34:40 hopefully they can get the win over Palace
34:42 and right the wrongs from last season.
34:45 Palace, as you mentioned,
34:47 will be coming into the game on a high,
34:49 having come from two goals down to get a point at the Etihad,
34:52 which is a brilliant result for anyone,
34:54 let alone Crystal Panic really.
34:56 So they're definitely going to be on a high
34:57 and will be confident at home against Brighton.
35:01 And obviously, with all the extra emotions
35:03 and the extra drive and passion that comes with this game,
35:06 you can never really say anyone's favourites, really.
35:09 I think it's always difficult to say a team's favourites
35:11 in a rivalry like this.
35:13 So yeah, hopefully Brighton can get the job done.
35:17 But one thing from history that you would put
35:19 in Brighton's favour is they always seem to bounce back
35:21 after a defeat.
35:23 They always seem to put it behind them really quickly
35:26 and get a win that's vital to their progression in the season.
35:30 So hopefully they can get it done against Palace.
35:34 - Yeah, Hardy, you're itching to say something.
35:36 - No, no, no.
35:37 Sadly, I've got to say, I've just realised what the time is.
35:39 I've got to go to a funeral.
35:40 So I think we're going to win 3-0.
35:43 I'd just like to wish you all a Merry Christmas,
35:45 you three boys.
35:45 Thank all the readers for buying the papers
35:48 and thank all the people for watching the websites
35:50 and reading online.
35:51 But I'm giving it to you now, Palace 0, Brighton 3.
35:55 See you next year, boys.
35:57 - Merry Christmas.
35:57 Cheers, Hardy.
35:58 - Cheers, Hardy.
36:00 - Cheers.
36:01 Sam, what's your score prediction?
36:05 - My prediction?
36:07 2-1, 2-1 Brighton.
36:09 They don't keep clean sheets in the Premier League
36:11 and I can't see that changing on Thursday.
36:15 But yeah, I think they'll win, 2-1.
36:17 - Richie?
36:19 - Agreed, 2-1 win.
36:20 I'm going to complete that, a 2-1.
36:22 I might go 3-1, why not?
36:24 Just to be positive.
36:25 So thanks guys.
36:27 Thanks for joining us.
36:28 You can catch up with all the sports news,
36:31 everything we've covered and talked about today
36:32 at sussexworld.co.uk.
36:34 You can watch more excellent videos on shotstv.com
36:37 and Freeview channel 276.
36:40 And yeah, you can also see us on,
36:42 if you're watching us on latest TV,
36:43 lots of extra stuff on latest TV.
36:46 Thanks a lot and Merry Christmas, everyone.
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