- 18/06/2025
Matt Pole is joined by Brighton writer Derren Howard, Sam Morton, who covers both Albion and Crawley Town, and Red Devils expert Mark Dunford.
It’s been a busy week for Brighton. The Seagulls have announced their first two signings of the summer, and discovered their itinerary for the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
This week, we give you the lowdown on Albion’s two new faces, highlight the key league fixtures the Seagulls have to look forward to next season, plus we’ll bring you all the latest from Crawley Town.
It’s been a busy week for Brighton. The Seagulls have announced their first two signings of the summer, and discovered their itinerary for the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
This week, we give you the lowdown on Albion’s two new faces, highlight the key league fixtures the Seagulls have to look forward to next season, plus we’ll bring you all the latest from Crawley Town.
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00:00Welcome to another episode of the Goal Math Action Podcast, where we take a look at all the latest goings-on at Brighton, Hove, Albion and Crawley Town.
00:07I'm Matt Pohl, and this week I'm joined by Brighton writer Darren Howard, Sam Morton, who covers both Albion and Crawley Town, as well as Red Devils expert Mark Dunford.
00:15It's been a busy week for Brighton. The Seagulls have announced their first two signs in the summer and discovered their itinerary for the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
00:23This week, we'll give you lowdown on Albion's two new faces, highlight the key league fixtures the Seagulls have to look forward to next season, plus we'll bring you all the latest, as ever, from Crawley Town.
00:34You can read all the stories we are talking about, the videos and pictures online at sussexworld.co.uk forward slash sport, and you can check out other great videos on Shotztv.com and Freeview Channel 262.
00:44You may also be watching on latest TV, so thank you very much for tuning in.
00:48Brighton's first major summer signing was completed last week. The Seagulls have signed 18-year-old forward Bavis Kostoulos for £29.78 million from Greek side Olympiakos.
00:58The teenager has signed a five-year contract that will start on the 1st of July.
01:02Darren, what has the fan reaction been to this signing, and what has Brighton manager Fabian Herzl had to say about this new signing?
01:09Yeah, he looks a good prospect, and from what we hear, he's been playing regularly for Olympiakos in the Greek Super League, and he's really impressed.
01:22And there are quite a number of teams after him, and Brighton, it seems quite a scoop for Brighton to capture his signature.
01:30Apparently, his agent was saying how well Brighton sold their package to them as well.
01:40He had a number of offers from across Europe and in the Premier League as well, but they were impressed with Brighton's plans for him,
01:46what they wanted to achieve for him, and how they can improve him as well as he develops as a player.
01:52He's only 18 years old, so there's no major rush for him to jump straight into the team.
02:00Brighton's still got the experience of Danny Welbeck, Jorginho Rutter as well.
02:04He's got another year of Premier League experience.
02:08But I think he's going to play a key part in the team next season.
02:13I don't think he looks ready to go.
02:16They say he's only 18, but when you look at him, he looks physically, you know, he looks like a sort of a mid-20s,
02:21or, you know, he looks ready to go in the Premier League.
02:25So I think he will play a major part, and it's a really exciting signing for Brighton.
02:31And, yeah, one I'm really looking forward to seeing play.
02:35And he's going to team up with the other Greek striker that Albion signed as well, Stefanos Tissimas as well.
02:41So this is supposed to be a new golden generation of Greek talent, and they'll be on display at Brighton most weekends.
02:50So, yeah, it looks a really good signing, the pair of them.
02:55Albion's deal for Kostoulos represents by quite some distance the highest feat ever received by a Greek club,
03:01beating the 16.6 million Wolves paid to sign Daniel Podence from Olympiacos in 2020.
03:07Deren has bigged up Kostoulos a little bit, but when you see the amount of money that they've paid to him,
03:13how much of a gamble is this signing for Brighton?
03:15Is there a worry that he could end up, not to say that he will, be the Greek Rasmus Hoyland, potentially?
03:22Yeah, it's an interesting one, isn't it?
03:24Because I read an article on Sky Sports which said the deal may seem high risk from the outside,
03:30but those who have worked with Kostoulos see it differently.
03:32One of his former coaches was quoted in the article saying, for me, it's a low-risk decision because I see a lot of potential in him.
03:39He can adapt and quickly understand what the game requires.
03:42He can play in all the positions in the front line.
03:45And his versatility is just part of the appeal.
03:49There's the technical skills that he can play, beat defenders in one-on-ones, create chances, combine with teammates when coming short or drifting wide.
03:56And he also boasts the frame and physicality of a far older player, which Darren mentioned as well.
04:01And he was part of the Olympiacos side of the Competer League and Cup double last season, scoring seven goals with two assists in 35 games.
04:08And he was also linked to Man Utd, Spurs, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
04:13And becomes the second most expensive signing in Brighton's history after the £40 million spend for Jorginho Rutta.
04:19So I guess the hope now is that he will join the list of young players that have flourished at Brighton and have obviously then gone on for big fees and generated huge profit for Brighton.
04:31So it's a really interesting signing for Brighton.
04:33And knowing them, it will be one that will be a success because they very rarely get it wrong.
04:38Fingers crossed.
04:40Brighton have also completed the signing of Hellas Verona centre-back Diego Coppola for an undisclosed fee.
04:45The 21-year-old who's been capped twice for Italy, but is currently playing for the under-21s at the under-21s Euros in Slovakia.
04:52Signed a five-year deal with the Seagulls.
04:54This seems like another one for the future, Darren.
04:57Can we expect to see him feature from the get-go next season?
05:00And again, what did Hazela have to say about his new man?
05:04Yeah, he looks an exciting signing.
05:07Again, 21 years of age, as you say.
05:09And he looks a good prospect.
05:11A typical Brighton signing, plenty of room to improve, plenty of room to develop.
05:18Although he has been around the Verona first team for a couple of seasons now.
05:23So he's impressed in Serie A.
05:26And as you mentioned, he received his call-up to the Italian national squad and has made two appearances for his country.
05:32So he's very highly thought of.
05:35And I think Brighton looking for a long-term partner for hopefully if Jean-Paul Van Hecker stays for the next few seasons, then Coppola could be a regular alongside Jean-Paul Van Hecker.
05:48Obviously, he can still learn a lot.
05:49And the likes of Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster can help him along the way as well.
05:54But you saw last season, Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster, their injuries, they haven't always been that reliable with injuries.
06:02So it's an area that Brighton needed some consistency and to improve upon as well.
06:08In particular, I think the defence is going to take a little bit of a revamp this summer.
06:13There's talk of Herbis Estupignon moving on.
06:16Igor Julio has also expressed interest in moving, said it's unlikely that he'll fulfil his contract as well with Brighton.
06:22So there's going to be quite a bit of change in the back line.
06:26They've got Oliver Boscagli joining from PSV as well.
06:29He's set to sign in July.
06:32He's going to arrive after six seasons with PSV.
06:35He's 27 years old, so he's more experienced and he's likely to be ready to go, as it were.
06:43So there's going to be a lot of changes.
06:45But Coppola is a really good sign-in who hopefully can help them in the here and now,
06:52but also he's going to be a long-term addition to the team as well.
06:57Sticking with the player front, Brighton have extended the contract of James Milder by another season,
07:01an idea which will take the midfielder past his 40th birthday.
07:05Milder has been with the Seagull since joining them after his contract with Liverpool ran out in summer 2023.
07:10What do you make of this deal, Sam?
07:13How keen will his experience be for such a long squad?
07:16I had a quick look and I think Albion had the second youngest squad by average age in the Premier League last season.
07:22I think Milner would bump that up by quite a lot, I imagine.
07:25Bless him.
07:25Yeah, 100%.
07:26I think this is a decision that makes total sense for all parties, I think.
07:32Obviously, Milner is closing in on Gareth Barry's record for Premier League appearances as well.
07:37And that would be a fitting way to end a remarkable career, really.
07:42And obviously, it was such a shame that he was limited to so few appearances last season.
07:47It was just four, actually, across the whole season because of an injury sustained in August against Arsenal.
07:52And he made his latest appearance on the last day of the season against Spurs.
07:57And it was only a couple of minutes, but it was great to see him come on, obviously, for that game.
08:02Fabian Hesler said at the time that it was a mark of respect to him as a thank you for the work he's been doing for the club whilst out injured.
08:09And that's one of the reasons he's probably been kept on, really, not just for what he does on the pitch,
08:13but what he does off the pitch as well.
08:15And that real leadership and experience is so valuable for what you've said is a really young team.
08:22So, yeah, after the decision was made, Hesler said he's really pleased we all have James with us again this season.
08:28Last season, he wasn't able to help the team on the pitch as much he would have liked.
08:32But around the squad, his experience is invaluable, especially for the younger players.
08:35He's a great guy, great guy to have in our environment.
08:37He was always there for me and the team.
08:39And he's looking forward to working with him again.
08:41And we actually spoke to Milner in the mix zone after that Spurs game.
08:44He did hint that he was hoping to stay at the club, so it wasn't a huge shock when it was announced.
08:49And he said at the time, he really hopes he can stay at the club in some form.
08:55You look at the season we've had, we've got good players and good results.
08:58There have been times when we've dropped points and shouldn't have done.
09:00We need a bit of experience.
09:01You look at the players that come in, the likes of Mats V for Brian Gruder.
09:04They're difficult to come to a new team in country, but look how good they've been in the last few weeks.
09:09It takes time and I'm excited to be here for sure.
09:12I'm excited for next year and hopefully I can be part of it.
09:14So, yes, real good.
09:16Good bit of news come from Brighton and they've managed to keep Milner on for another season.
09:20I think it's a great move.
09:22Absolutely.
09:23And fingers crossed he breaks that record as well.
09:25And finally, for part one, Brighton, as we mentioned, have learned their itinerary for the 2025-26 Premier League campaign just this morning.
09:32Darren, who do the Seagulls open and close the season against?
09:35And what are the other key fixtures they have to look forward to this season?
09:38I'm sure they'll be looking forward to their games against Palace this upcoming season.
09:42Yeah, I think that's one of the first fixtures they always look out for.
09:46But, yeah, we've got the full fixtures up on the Sussex World website at the moment.
09:50They're released this morning and some good ones to look out for, actually.
09:54They start at home against Fulham on August the 16th.
09:57So, yeah, it's sort of a reasonably decent start, really.
10:03So, hopefully they can get up and running with a good result against Fulham.
10:09And then they create their own little slice of history on August the 23rd.
10:13They go away to Everton and it will be their first match in their sort of brand spanking new stadium,
10:18which they used to be their first Premier League match there.
10:21So, that would be a nice moment for the Brighton fans.
10:23And I'm sure that would be, that's due to be on August the 23rd.
10:27But I think that would probably be changed for a TV slot and a schedule nearer the time.
10:32But keep an eye on that one.
10:35That's going to be their first away match.
10:37Then, as you mentioned, the good old matches against Crystal Palace.
10:40So, they've got November the 8th, they're away at Selhurst Park.
10:45And then it's at home to Palace on February the 7th as well.
10:51So, Brighton would be hoping for better fortunes against Oliver Glasner's team than they had last season.
10:57So, then around the Christmas time, they've got newly promoted Sunderland.
11:01They're at home on December the 20th.
11:04Arsenal way on December the 27th.
11:06And then West Ham on December the 30th.
11:10So, that sort of makes up their festive fixtures.
11:13Then they finish with an easy three points against Man United on May the 24th next year.
11:22So, yeah, lots to look out for.
11:24But as I mentioned, it's all on the Sussex World website.
11:27So, get your dates locked in for your favourite Brighton matches.
11:31Absolutely. You can follow all the action as well for next season, for every game from the Premier League, League Cup and FA Cup on sussexworld.co.uk, forward slash sport as well.
11:40We will take a quick break now, but when we return, we will be discussing all things Crawley Town.
11:46Welcome back to part two.
11:47And our very own Mark Dunford, fresh from chatting with Crawley Town boss Scott Lindsay, had the pleasure of speaking with Reg Chairman and CEO Preston Johnson last week.
11:54When you spoke to Lindsay Mark, he said the club were trying to bring in more experienced players this summer, but Preston seemed to have contradicted that somewhat.
12:03What did he have to say about Crawley's transfer policy and what were the other key takeaways you gleaned from your chat with him?
12:10Yeah, so it was an interesting one because, yeah, like you say, we spoke to Scott a couple of weeks ago or, yeah, a week and a half ago.
12:16And I actually asked Scott, I said, from the outside looking in, it looks like there's been a transfer policy shift with the more experienced players coming in.
12:25Is that your influence? And he replied, yes.
12:29And then when we've chatted to Preston Johnson, he sort of said, there's been no transfer policy shift.
12:36Yes, we're bringing in, we brought in McCurdy and Rhys Brown.
12:41And he said, because they both had elite data prior to their recent injury plague seasons.
12:47But then he said, but we're still looking for those hidden gems.
12:50And Scott Lindsay didn't say they weren't, they'd stopped looking for hidden gems.
12:54They're still, he said, we've also got to find those.
12:56And, but from what Scott said, he said, yes, we've got the data that Wagme use, but we want the experience.
13:03We do need experience, et cetera.
13:05And you need to, you need to see a play.
13:10You need to know a play can do what you want them to do.
13:12You can't just go off a spreadsheet.
13:14I think that's what Scott said.
13:16But I think Preston Johnson is really pushing.
13:19There's been no policy shift.
13:20We're still using this.
13:21We found some brilliant hidden gems, certainly the season before last, didn't they?
13:25I mean, obviously we all know what happened there.
13:28Whether you look at Clydie Lollos, people like that, they're fantastic.
13:31And they've made a lot of money from those, I'm assuming.
13:34But yeah, no, it was interesting.
13:35He seemed a little bit defensive about what Scott said.
13:39And I've had more than one Crawley fan message me and say, the two interviews seem very contradictory
13:44to each other.
13:45So you hope it's all happy behind the scenes.
13:48I'm sure it is.
13:49I'm sure it's just a slot, the media and the fans reading between the lines, et cetera.
13:54But yeah, Preston Johnson also saw, we're going to come on to him in a minute, but they said
14:00there's a little nugget, a little nugget for fans.
14:03They've just had someone in for a medical who's been playing in National League South
14:07for the past two seasons, and we think is promising.
14:10And he finished off by saying, we're proud of our recruiting process the last two years
14:15and we will keep building on it.
14:16So they're still going to have this data model.
14:19They're still going to use the data to find these.
14:21I think previously somebody's called them undervalued and underappreciated players,
14:26players that have been with academies, high standard, but never quite made it and then
14:32start playing in the National League and National League South.
14:34So yeah, it's a very interesting one.
14:37But I mean, you look at last summer and I mean, they did sign some experienced players.
14:41They signed Toby Malarkey, another player we'll come on to later.
14:44Gavin Houlihan, two players with quite a lot of experience in the Football League and that.
14:48And I think the only player that didn't have any Football League experience last year was
14:53Charlie Barker.
14:54And we all know the season he had.
14:55He finished with two or three awards at the end of season, awards player of the year.
14:58So it does work, the data model and that.
15:01I mean, they were just a little bit out of their depth last year.
15:04I think it might be a little bit too much too soon with Scott Lindsay leaving, etc.
15:08It was a sort of a bit of a doomed season.
15:10But hopefully this season, it will all work.
15:13But we're all just waiting on tenterhooks now because the transfer window's back open.
15:16We're just waiting to see who they're going to sign.
15:19But we think we know who one of them is, don't we?
15:21Yes, Sam.
15:22Who do we think that this mystery National League South player is using our deductive skills?
15:27Yeah.
15:28Yeah.
15:28So Preston Johnson told us a little nugget for the fans.
15:30We've just had someone in for a medical who's been playing in National League South
15:33the past two seasons that we think is promising.
15:36We'd always be looking for hidden gems across multiple levels.
15:39We're proud of our recruiting process the last two years.
15:41And we'll keep building on it.
15:43And fans are predicting that that man is Danny Cashman, who's just left Worthing.
15:4824 years old, he signed for the Rebels in September 2023, following the cancellation of his contract
15:53with Coventry City, having previously been highly rated at Brighton & Hove Albion during his time
15:58in the Seagulls Academy.
16:00He helped the club reach the playoff final in the first season, scoring in the 4-3 defeat
16:05to Braintree Town and ending the season with 16 goals in all competitions.
16:11And after leaving the club on May 27, it looked like Southend, who lost in the National League
16:14playoff final to Oldham, had signed him.
16:17But we heard reports that move was off.
16:20And League 2, a League 2 club had emerged as frontrunners to sign Cashman with a late
16:23contract offer at the 11th hour.
16:25That was from London's Shrimper on X.
16:28And after Johnson's comments, it sounds like the fans are convinced that it will be Danny
16:32Cashman's coming to the Broadfield Stadium.
16:34So, yeah, an intriguing one.
16:36Yeah, absolutely.
16:37We don't know anything for certain yet, do we, Mark?
16:40We should stress that.
16:41But how excited should Crawley fans be if they do complete the signing of Cashman?
16:46Sam's mentioned there that he's got a great goal return while at Worthing.
16:49But how would it fit in with the new signing of Harry McCurdy?
16:54Sorry, I don't think Lindsay usually plays too up top, unless I'm mistaken.
16:58He doesn't, no.
16:59He normally has that one sort of behind of the front person.
17:04And I imagine that would be where Danny Cashman sort of sits, him just behind McCurdy, maybe.
17:11I don't know.
17:12But, yeah, it's an interesting one.
17:14But it's exciting for Crawley fans because they have lacked up front.
17:18I mean, you had Will Swan and Russian Hepburn Murphy last year.
17:22But Swan never really fired.
17:24He had a little bit of a purple patch at one point.
17:26And Hepburn Murphy at the end of the season.
17:28But now he's gone.
17:30So I think Crawley fans just like to see a bit of excitement with a load of attacking options.
17:34And with Cashman and McCurdy, maybe it's one or the other.
17:38And they will back each other up.
17:40And, yeah, who knows?
17:42But it's an exciting one.
17:43I think when he left Worthing, they put a statement saying that he had moments of magic over the season.
17:50And that's what you want as a football fan.
17:52You want to see a player have moments of magic.
17:53He sounds like he can score goals from all areas, outside the box, inside the box.
17:58He's got good footwork.
18:00So, yeah, no, it could be exciting.
18:02I mean, you're hoping he could be another Clydey Lollos, as we mentioned earlier.
18:06Someone like that.
18:07He's going to come in and just sort of wow, wow, the Crawley fans.
18:10And you wonder why Coventry City let him go.
18:14People like that.
18:14Rochdale, I think he played for as well.
18:16So, yeah, so it could be exciting.
18:19But, yeah, how it's actually going to work with the formation, I suppose we'll have to wait for preseason.
18:23We're going to come up, won't we?
18:24But, yeah, it's going to be exciting.
18:27But, yeah, McCurdy and Cashman, it gives me a little bit more excitement than the attacking options last year.
18:33So, who knows?
18:34Yeah.
18:34Yeah, it's worth mentioning as well.
18:36Sorry, I was going to say, it's worth mentioning that Cashman's from Crawley as well.
18:38He's born and bred in Crawley.
18:40He's going to be a bit of a homecoming for him as well, which is probably another reason why he might be intrigued by the move.
18:46And, yeah, I think that probably bodes well as well.
18:49Yeah, watch this face.
18:51You've mentioned departures, Mark.
18:53One that we couldn't quite fit into last week's podcast was the departure of Tobe Malarkey.
18:58Sorry.
18:59The defender left the club to join fellow League Two side Fleetwood Town on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.
19:05Sam, how big of a loss will Malarkey be to Lindsay's backline?
19:09And what was the fan reaction to his departure?
19:13Yeah, no, it's a shame to see Tobe Malarkey go.
19:17A 29-year-old joined the Reds in July 2024 and quickly became one of the regular starters for the Reds.
19:25This incredible run of playing every minute of the League One campaign lasted until early December when he was forced to sit out Crawley's trip to Charlton.
19:31He featured 37 times for Crawley, scoring one goal in the Emirates FA Cup game away at Major Head.
19:38And then, yeah, wishing him well for the future.
19:39The club obviously announced that he was to leave this summer and thanked him for his hard work during his time at the club.
19:48And Crawley fans have, in response, wished him well as well.
19:50And most do seem to think he's replaceable.
19:53There isn't a huge amount of anger that he's leaving.
19:58But I think that people are just saying he's another decent player who gave his all last year and they're wishing best for the future.
20:05But there were a couple of people saying that the club perhaps not learning lessons from last summer.
20:09And they need to be keeping players like Malarkey, obviously, with that bit of experience.
20:14And obviously, clearly he was doing something right to have played every minute until December.
20:19So I'm not sure I agree with the fans that said he wasn't at high enough standards.
20:25I think he definitely was.
20:27So, yeah, it's a shame to see him go.
20:29And like the club, we wish him well for the future.
20:32It's an interesting one because, yeah, if all the defenders are fit, because obviously Josh Flint, who was out for a long period last year,
20:42and Joy McKenna was out for, missed most of the season after a freak training accident, I think it was.
20:47Joe McKenna, obviously, still got by, still got, they're still negotiating with him with regards to contract, as is Dion Conroy.
20:55So if they keep McKenna and Conroy, then you've got Flint, Barker.
20:59That's quite a lot of options for a three-man defence.
21:02So, yeah, so it could be, and if Malarkey was still there as well, you'd think, would his playing time be limited?
21:08Because you'd imagine the way Charlie Barker performed, Scotland's, he's always going to pick Dion Conroy if he's fit.
21:16And then you've got, yeah, Josh Flint, Charlie Barker.
21:19Yeah.
21:19So if everybody was fit, his options could have been limited.
21:24That might have, but he's from up north as well.
21:26So going back up from the north.
21:28So, yeah, it could be a good move for all parties, to be honest, I think.
21:32And finally, the Reds have confirmed their final friendly fixture of the summer.
21:36FA Cup holders Crystal Palace will visit the Broadfield Stadium for a third consecutive season on Friday, the 25th of July,
21:43with kick-off schedules for half seven.
21:45It's a great way for the Reds to finish pre-season, isn't it, Mark?
21:48And no doubt in front of a big crowd too.
21:51Yeah, you would have thought so.
21:52Nice under the Friday night lights.
21:53I always find the Saturday afternoon pre-season kick-offs a bit odd because it's the cricket season.
22:00Let people enjoy cricket on a Saturday.
22:03So it's nice that they've got the Friday night for it because I think you will get a lot more people there for a Friday night.
22:09And I imagine it's going to be warm, so it's nice to have it so the fans aren't sweltering and the players aren't sweltering.
22:15I know they've got Portsmouth the week before over May on the Saturday.
22:18Yes.
22:18But, yeah, it's nice.
22:20And it's a bit of excitement with a team that are going to be playing in, well,
22:24are they playing in Europe this year?
22:25I think they are, aren't they?
22:27At the moment, yes, I think.
22:29FA Cup holders.
22:30I mean, I know before they bought Eber-Eche-Eze and people like that with them and they destroyed Crawley.
22:36But it'll be interesting what sort of side they do bring.
22:40And you'd like to think they'd bring a couple of big names and maybe give them a few minutes.
22:44But, yeah, no, it's an exciting way to finish the season.
22:46And then Lindsay said to me last week about the friendlies, it's nice how they escalate.
22:54So they're starting, obviously, with that training game in Spain against Hearts.
22:58But then there's three bridges, East Grinstead, then going up a level to Dagenham, then going up a level to Portsmouth and then going up a level to Crystal Palace.
23:05So it's a really nice way to build up into the season.
23:09It is indeed.
23:10Right.
23:10I think that's it.
23:11Unless people are desperate to speak about the Club World Cup or anything like that.
23:14I suppose we're not.
23:17Go Botafogo.
23:18And a quick mention to Jack Hinchelwood and James Beadle.
23:23They're going to be in England's under-21 action tonight against Germany.
23:27So best of luck to those two as well.
23:30Absolutely.
23:30Best of luck to them indeed.
23:32Brilliant.
23:33Well, thank you very much for joining us this week, chaps.
23:34You can catch up with all the latest sports news covering everything we've talked about today.
23:38Sussexworld.co.uk forward slash sport.
23:40And you can watch more excellent videos on Shotstv.com and Freeview Channel 262.
23:44Thank you very much for listening and or watching.
23:46And we will see you all very, very soon.
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