Brighton & Hove Albion are involved in the first game of the Championship season later this evening. We spoke to three of their fans ahead of kick off. First up, Jeff.
I felt last season was a poor season but not totally unexpected.There was still an air of disappointment around the Amex after the way we crumbled at Derby in the playoffs and added to this we sold a few of our better players (buckley,ulloa to name a few).The manager never really seemed settled any more than our forward line that changed with the weather in the search for goals.Hyypia didn’t really seem to have any plan A let alone plan B and by the time Chris Hughton came in it was a battle to stay up. He bought much needed confidence with him and towards the end of the season we looked like a team with a plan.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?
The additions made in the summer were on the whole very low key with the exception of the return of the prodigal son Bobby Zamora. Tomer Hamed signed from Almeria has looked sharp in front of goal pre season,and Bong and Rosenior look like the defenders we have been missing,we have also signed a young lad from Real Madrid yes Real Madrid called Jack Harper who i believe will feature this season playing just off the front 2.Overall i think we have bought well with an eye to next season.I still think we need a central defender as we are still very light there and even more so if Dunk goes and another striker as we really struggled with goals last season and I’m not convinced we have totally fixed that yet.
ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Apart from hoping that we draw Palace in the cup at home I enjoy playing the London teams as our closest rivals and I am looking forward to welcoming back Ashley Barnes with Burnley but finishing with an away game to Middlesbourgh for the second season running doesn't fill me with glee.
WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?
I think Middlesbourgh, Burnley, Hull and Blackburn will have strong seasons with possibly Ipswich as a dark horse.I think QPR will find it difficult along with Huddersfield, Bristol City, MK Dons and Sheff Wed.
WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?
I think Tomer Hamed may surprise a few people, Dale Stephens if he stays fit will score a few from midfield and Beram Kayal will create a lot of chances.
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
I think with a manager who knows what he is doing at this level and a team out to put last season behind them and a few experienced signings we should finish top 10 and hopefully push on to top 6.
Up next, Henry.
HOW DID YOU FEEL THE 14/15 SEASON WENT FOR YOUR TEAM?
The 14/15 season was far below expectations for the Albion, after two seasons in the play-offs, scrapping to stay up was not on the cards - but ultimately we survived!
HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ADDITIONS MADE DURING THE SUMMER BREAK?
Yes, the signings during the summer have been hugely encouraging, strengthening key areas of the squad - especially the strike force, and bringing Bobby Zamora back will be a huge morale boost.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?
Yes, I feel we need more strength in the middle of the pitch - some big men who can hold the ball up - especially on the counter attack.
ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Unfortunately, with Palace in the top flight the big derby game could only happen in a cup competition, but any of the big clubs away from home is always a good day out!
WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?
To be honest, I haven’t really looked too much at the opposition, but after just missing out last season, Ipswich and Derby surely have a good chance.
WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?
Our new keeper Niki Maenpaa looks really promising, and I hope Rohan Ince can continue to impress - he was a big presence for us last season.
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
We are in much better shape than this time last season, so I really hope that we can reach the play-offs again - fingers crossed!
And last but not least, Tony.
HOW DID YOU FEEL THE 14/15 SEASON WENT FOR YOUR TEAM?
Overall, it was a write off. There were a couple of highlights; Fulham away and breaking our hoodoo with Derby are top of that list. In the end we did the bare minimum to stay in the Championship, which means this is the first time in the club’s history we've spent 5 consecutive seasons in the second tier. So it’s a write off with a happy ending.
HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ADDITIONS MADE DURING THE SUMMER BREAK?
Absolutely. Rosenior is a fantastic addition. Tomer Hamed looks to be the target man we have been after since Ulloa left. We have Niki Mäenpää set to compete with Gordon Greer as most handsome player at the club. We signed a striker from Real Madrid, something which still feels weird to write. And the prodigal son Bobby Zamora has returned. I'm pretty happy with the new additions thus far.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?
Goals. Although, we’ve signed 2 experienced strikers and 2 exciting prospects. I think that the personnel has been addressed and we do have some quality up front, it’s going to be down to the system we used to get players scoring.
ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
All of them. Except MK Dons away.
WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?
Bristol City. They were absolutely fantastic last season and steam rolled League One in much the same style as we did back in 2010/11. Steve Cotterill has really come in to his own as a manager and they’re a hugely enjoyable, swashbuckling team that I'm personally looking forward to to seeing again.
WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?
Jake Forster-Caskey. This will be his year. Had a bit of a mare with the England U21s back in the summer, but given his age, ability and the fact he’s played under 5 different Brighton managers who have all rated him, I think this is going to be his breakthrough season.
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
Who knows? You can’t call anything in the Championship any more. I've read a couple of season previews and we’re either going up or getting relegated. It’s more than likely we’ll finish mid-table, however knowing Brighton a mid-table finish is rare.
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