A strange game at the Amex this afternoon. One of those where you leave the ground feeling somewhat upbeat, only to open social media and see the total opposite being shared around the various platforms.
Upon thinking about it, we were okay. I noticed something to this Albion side that would be somewhat comparable to the reverse fixture at St James’ Park back in October last year. A pragmatism, team performance that defended pretty well. It has to be said, that it wasn’t largely plain sailing. At times, Newcastle had some very good opportunities to do more damage. Some naivety at the beginning of the game was something to worry about before Yankuba Minteh broke the deadlock.
How was the game?
Overall it was fairly even. Newcastle had chances, and Albion had a few. But it wasn’t perhaps what I thought it was initially. Only three registered shots appeared surprising to some as the full-time whistle sounded, with me being a part of that. Context is always important, the struggle against the officials and the fact that the Magpies are fourth in the league whilst pushing for a Champions League place. Throughout the 90 minutes, Newcastle were there for the taking. Brighton have their number, they hate playing us as much as anyone. Newcastle only have two wins over the Seagulls since both clubs earned promotion together in 2017. Something about playing Newcastle gives me a strange feeling that we ‘might get something’ rather than focus on any reasonable negatives.
Of course, since the Geordies takeover, the comparison is stark. Finances are in a different stratosphere, but it doesn’t mean that the feeling cannot be a frustrating one after conceding a cheap penalty to throw two huge points away.
Considering Albion are without key players Georginio Rutter and João Pedro, it was a ‘decent’ performance. As stated all season on the Talk Seagulls Podcast, seeing more play through the middle is welcomed. Playing Mats Wieffer with Carlos Baleba in midfield as opposed to everyone being out of position is encouraged. These profiles of players are more than capable of combating with the top clubs in the country if they’re utilised correctly. Wieffer was marketed by David Weir as “the best deep-lying playmaker in the world” when he was signed. A role that I could count on one hand that he has filled this season. Even with injuries in consideration, why has Jack Hinshelwood moved from the right-back position now that £25m signing Wieffer is finally available?
Is Europe still on?
The general thought that this Brighton side should be competing is fair. Europa Conference League is now a best-case scenario, which is fine, but you want confidence that this should happen as opposed to wishful thinking. Feeling the need to check the scores across the grounds to make sure Brentford could somehow slip up is natural but shouldn’t be required. In football, you focus on your team. Your performances are a gauge of how that team can pick up x amount of points over x amount of time – the sides around you then become irrelevant.
Bart Verbruggen, Yankuba Minteh, and Lewis Dunk deserve the shout-outs for the day. Verbruggen especially, made some very impressive saves throughout the game. It isn’t easy to keep focus when two penalties (never penalties) are given before being taken away in relatively quick succession. Goalkeepers would go through millions of emotions whilst trying to keep their cool. The Dutchman has come under a lot of scrutiny, perhaps quite rightly, in recent times, as he leads the league for most errors leading to goals as a goalkeeper.
Dunk added an astute feeling at the back. A reassurance that only the legendary captain is capable of providing unlike any other.
Carlos Baleba alluded to Dunk’s status whilst filling in for injuries at the back, saying: “I just need to listen to the captain, Lewis [Dunk], who is next to me. Everything works better when I listen to him.”
Minteh was electric, though. As a Brighton fan, all you want to see is a player up for it. Take on your man, get me on the edge of my seat. Dance with me, make me ‘sway’. Relentlessly running down the wing, he terrorised his former side. Comfortably his best performance since trading his well-earned white stripes from black to blue. The Gambian has claimed his newfound love for the club, and how his settling period has solidified. Not just going forward, but we’ve seen the overall work-rate that he possesses. His potential as a goal contributions machine could soon be realised with a little bit of man management, and the celebrations today unlocked a whole new personality that fans can resonate with.
The Diego Gomez chance was the one. You know, the one where you’re totally convinced that the ball is hitting the back of the net. Last minute, free header. A chance that you simply couldn’t describe to that friend who doesn’t understand how much it’d mean. “Oh mate, this man just headed this ball into a net and it’s changed my whole week!” We’ve all been there, but we couldn’t be there this week.
With three games left, things are getting tight. What’s left? Firstly Wolves, then the recently crowned champions Liverpool before Spurs away. It’s a gamble, much like anything Brighton do these days. The Conference League would still be a very acceptable return on a hot-and-cold season, but perhaps the worry over consistency could filter into the new season even if it were to come to fruition.
