Today we feature 2 views from Brighton fans…..
A bit about you:
Name: Kev Sherwood
Current home town: Hastings Birthplace: Eastbourne
How long have you supported your team? 33 years.
Overview of your club:
Favourite thing about your home ground: There's only one thing – it's in Brighton (as opposed to being in Gillingham). Albion fans are sick to the back teeth of the Withdean experience now. Try spending 9 years sitting watching your side without a roof and maintaining a positive outlook! At least the view from my South Stand seat is good, but I pity any away fans that visit Withdean these days, the view over there is truly terrible. Bring your binoculars!
Favourite match played by your team & why: Our very recent victory over Man City ranks right up there actually (what a night!), but further back it would have to be the 1983 FA Cup Final (first attempt), a game that truly catapulted our clubs name into the nations pysche.
Favourite player of all time who played for your club: Peter Ward. Mercurial little striker who is the favourite of many Albion fans over a certain age. Currently living in the USA but pops back for many club events…..
About our forthcoming match against you:
Your favourite current player in your squad and why? Nicky Forster. Absolute model pro, what we paid for him was a steal. He works harder than most players I've seen down the years, effort and commitment are second to none.
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? Glenn Murray, we paid a decent fee for him (by our standards) and I can see why. Lads potential is really emerging now, we just need Micky Adams to find an effective formation that provides quality service for him.
Player in our squad you most fear and why? Matt Fryatt. Full of goals.
Up and coming prospect in your squad? Tommy Elphick. Young home grown centre-half, last seasons player of the year. Brave, dependable, and shows real leadership potential. If the coaches can improve his passing (stops the old school centre half hoofing) he could be a real prospect.
Where do you think you'll finish this season? Mid-table. We all had pre-season promotion dreams after last seasons chase for a play-off place, and then Micky Adams returning and securing the services of old favourite Adam Virgo. Those dreams have fallen apart though as our home form, and the general shape of the side under Adams, has looked pretty shaky, oddly enough largely due to Virgo not seeming to really fit in.
How do you think you'll do against us? I hate to say it but I think we may lose (unless our current home form has miraculously turned around). I genuinely think you'll be a bit too strong for us and I will be very happy with a draw. You never know though!
Any other comments: Yeah, we've recently secured the loan services of Robbie Savage, one of your old boys, that should make the game interesting. Safe journey down.
A bit about you: Name: Janice Merritt – I work in the housing field. I have two children, a daughter and son aged 30 & 27. We all support Brighton & Hove Albion and my daughter and I are season ticket holders. I travel to all away matches on the supporters coach and am a member off the Supporters Club committee.
Current home town: Burgess Hill, West Sussex Birthplace: Hove, East Sussex
How long have you supported your team? Since childhood
Overview of your club: We’ve been through the mill in recent years! Our ground in Hove – The Goldstone Ground – was sold in 1997 by previous owners to developers without any concrete plans for a replacement stadium. After a long campaign a new Board took over and we had to share Gillingham’s ground – 70 miles away, until we were able to return to Brighton, using an athletics stadium (Withdean) as a temporary ground. After years of seeking planning permission for a new stadium, this was finally approved in July last year and work is scheduled to commence on the new Community Stadium in Falmer at the end of this year. It is due to open in August 2011.
Favourite thing about your home ground: Nothing! It has a limited capacity and is covered only on one side. We are used to getting wet and it is difficult to generate a good atmosphere!
Favourite match played by your team & why: The Cup Final in 1983 when we held Manchester United to a draw. Sadly we lost the replay!
Favourite player of all time who played for your club: Peter Ward
About our forthcoming match against you:
Your favourite current player in your squad and why? Nicky Forster. Team captain – brings experience to the side.
Player in your squad we should most fear and why? Nicky Forster (but currently out, injured) – experienced forward and goal scorer.
Player in our squad you most fear and why? Lloyd Dyer – judging by past history
Up and coming prospect in your squad? Tommy Elphick – defender.
Where do you think you'll finish this season? Probably mid table but could make the playoffs.
How do you think you'll do against us? If it were not for current injuries I would have thought we could do well.