retired_brinker317

About 12 Hours difference, I would have thought. Cheers :thup:

Positive news after the game came in the form of Naboune Ben Fardou moving much more freely after a night's sleep - the Frenchman, forced off late on against Torquay with a contact injury, able to resume training on Thursday morning.

In contrast to the 'release day' of the early summer, Fairway had an appointment with one of the youngsters that was far more positive on Thursday afternoon. Since his promotion to the Under 18's from the Academy last season, young attacking midfielder David Bowyer had impressed with his attitude as well as his abilities. With Laurie Della Valle moving up into the Reserves, and then the First Team, the Hastings-born player took his chance, providing the ammunition from midfield, much like the flying Finn. Now 17 and signing his first professional contract, Bowyer would get the opportunity to get some senior match practice under his belt, with the feeder clubs alerted to his availability.

Friday, however, would see another contract being signed - and this one, for someone already a senior player. Goalkeeper Jake Cole , described as a 'Contract rebel', by certain sections of the press after failing to agree terms on an extension to his QPR deal would take a pay cut to join Brighton on a free transfer - brought in by Fairway to challenge, and, indeed, in the long term, replace the currently injured Michel Kuipers for the goalkeepers jersey. As pleased as Fairway was with the deal, however, it wouldn't make the back pages of the Saturday papers...

Different world...

Barnet v Brighton & Hove Albion - Preseason Friendly - 18.7.09

Brighton First Half (4-1-4-1); Cole, Whing, Rents, Hinshelwood(*), Virgo, Spillane, Fraser, Kavianpour, Dalla Valle, Phillips, Savage

Three friendlies to go, with this the final one on the road. Fairway handed new signing Jake Cole a start, with Sullivan on the bench and Winterton back in the Reserves, who play on Sunday, in an otherwise unchanged lineup. Barnet began with ex-Albion striker Alex Revell up front, and had the first chance of the game with a free kick that drifted over the top - but on 8, Brighton made a dead ball situation count. After Bishop had hauled Savage back some 30 yards out, Sam Rents strode up and planted the ball in to the roof of the net, adding to his impressive reportoire from last season. Jake Cole endeard himself to the away supporters on 14 minutes, holding well from a McDonald strike, then denying Revell who had a header well saved five minutes later. It was generally a quiet half, but on the stroke of half time, Brighton added a second - a fantastic run, complete with stepovers and a brilliant change of pace to bamboozle the fullback from Phillips allowed the ball to be pulled back for Bas Savage to nod the ball home at the near post.

Brighton Second Half (4-1-4-1); Sullivan, El-Abd, Mayo, Elphick, Ketia, McCallister, Wills, Centeno(*), Robinson, Ben Fardou, Ngo Baheng

With the wind getting up, and the now customary in preseason eleven Albion changes at the break, the game took a while to get going again, but when it did, Barnet seemed on the ascendency. Sullivan did well to block an awkward Gillet header on 63, before Revell clipped the bar with a rising effort. Young defender Tommy Elphick was certainly earning his wages at the back, with a sterling display, sticking to the dangerous McDonald like glue, whilst at the other end, the final ball let Brighton down. Two minutes from time the home side finally did get on the scoresheet - Birchall, once of Arsenal, finding Owen Price , once of Tottenham, and, more recently, Lewes, to slot the ball beyond Sullivan and into the corner of the net. Brighton did threaten from a corner right at the end - Robinson's cross cut out by Baxter after a nice ball down the right hand side, only for Yakubu to somehow glance the ball over his own crossbar after Ngo Baheng had got to the Wills ball in first. No clean sheets yet - but another victory.

Barnet 1 - Brighton 2

Press Statements

Paul Fairclough - Barnet Manager

"On another day, we could have been celebrating this afternoon. We did well, created some chances and looked really sharp. I was pleased to see James Gibson make his debut, and Owen (Price) showed that he is always a threat. Brighton's goals though were just class, and I'm glad we won't have to face Demar Phillips every week. He was phenomenal."

Stuart Fairway - Brighton Manager

"The boys did well again, though the fact that we didn't keep that clean sheet takes the shine off the result a little. Demar's running for the first goal, and throughout the first half, was terrific, and Jake (Cole) did well too. We've got a big step up for the final two friendlies, but at the moment, I'm pleased with the way things are going".

Attendance; 1022

retired_brinker317

Fairway was pleased to hear on Monday morning that ticket sales were going well, with 4114 season tickets already sold. He was, however, less pleased to get another call from Preston North End regarding the availability of Lauri Della Valle . The fee required hadn't changed - and although £1 Million could be considered quite high for a teenager at a League One club, Fairway felt that Dalle Valle's potential - and his performances towards the back end of last season - more than justified the fee. The price had already put off Blackpool , but Fairway was interested to see whether Preston, who had a £2.9 Million bid for WBA's Craig Beattie rejected earlier in the month, would stump up the cash in their bid for a return to the top flight - a stage which had eluded the once mighty Deepdale outfit for many years.

Tuesday would see Fairway travel to London - and return with a new signing. Hǻvard Nordveit , a Norwegian defensive midfielder, signed for Arsenal in July 2007, and since then had built an impressive reputation for the Gunners' Under 18 and second string. The 19 year old was already a regular for the Norway Under 21's, and although a defensive player by trade, his technical ability, combined with a wonderful first touch and vision, were such that many in the press compared him to the legendary Rune Bratseth , named Norway's 'Golden Player', or best player of the past 50 years, in 2003, who starred as a libero for Werder Bremen in their run to the European Cup Winners Cup in 1992. Now on the verge of first team action, new Arsenal boss Tomas Schaff seemed keen for the starlet to gain regular football, and when Fairway enquired about his availabilty, a deal taking him on loan to Brighton for the season was quickly agreed.

With Nordveit coming in, rumours were rife that an established player would be leaving the club. Whilst Fairway didn't want to see any of his existing squad leave, it was true that the club had recently recieved a bid from Coventry City , quickly matched by Cheltenham Town , for Tommy Fraser . Micheal Spillane was - again - targetted by higher clubs as well, with Plymouth Argyle offering a player plus cash deal that had failed to tempt the Brighton boss.

Fairway called Fraser into his office first thing on Wednesday morning. Whilst Nordveit was only a loan capture, the emerging talent of 17 year old Gary McCallister , already in the clubs' history books after scoring in his first season as a professional, meant that Fairway considered Fraser - whilst not surplus to requirements - a player who he would allow to move on should the move suit.

By Friday, both Plymouth and Preston had cooled their interest in midfielders Micheal Spillane and Lauri Dalla Valle respectivley - if a young Seagull was to fly the nest soon, it would be Fraser, who Fairway agreed to leave out of the squad for Saturday's first home friendly match.

Brighton & Hove Albion v Győr- Preseason Friendly - 25.7.09

Brighton First Half (4-1-4-1); Cole, Whing, Rents, Hinshelwood(*), Virgo, Spillane, Nordveit,

Kavianpour, Dalla Valle, Phillips, Savage

No Fraser, so in came loanee Nordveit, with transfer rumour victims Spillane and Dalla Valle continuing despite recent media speculation. It would be a step up in class for Brighton - who went into the game in a confident mood, with four - although not entirely convincing - preseason victories under their belt already. The game began at breakneck pace, with Rents firing an early free kick wide before Győr opened the scoring on 8 - Gergo Cseri glancing the ball beyond Cole from a near post corner. The early setback stifled Brighton a little - Phillips seeing a cutback cleared before first Nordveit, and then Spillane, missed from outside the box. Győr were, by contrast, playing with freedom and movement, and could have doubled the lead before the break. Hamed Kavianpour wasted Brighton's best chance - put through by Dalla Valle, he should have done better than to clip a rising shot over the top.

Brighton Second Half (4-1-4-1); Sullivan, El-Abd, Mayo, Elphick, Ketia, McCallister, Wills,

Centeno(*), Ngo Baheng, Ben Fardou, Robinson

With Robinson starting the second half as an orthodox striker after the customary eleven changes, Brighton had the first chance of the second period when, on 56, loanee Ben Fardou wide over the top from close range with the 'keeper looking beaten. Győr were certainly the more positive of the two sides - Sullivan did well to tip Urban's header onto the bar on 64 before El-Abd hooked it to safety. The Hungarians were defending deep, limiting Brighton's time and space on the ball on the edge of the box - typified when Centeno was forced into an early shot, straight at 'keeper Stefanovic, on 67. Two minutes later, it should have been 2-0 - Tokody hitting the side netting when free at the far post - but on 83, Rudolf Urban netted one of the best goals seen at Withdean for a while, a wickedly curling effort that left young Sullivan clutching at thin air. Brighton, by contrast, looked one dimensional and lacklustre, despite their promising start.

Brighton 0 - Győr 2

Press Statements

Stuart Fairway - Brighton Manager

"We always knew it would be a step up in class and the result shows that. I'm disapointed that we failed to really stretch their 'keeper, but at times we did look a threat, with Andy Whing overlapping nicely especially. We've got one more friendly, then the real work begins, but I'm not too downhearted"

Sándor EgervárÃ* - GyÅ‘r Manager

"We did very well today - Rudolf (Urban) got a great goal. It was good to have this opportunity, and I hope we can take our performance today and build on it when we get back home"

Attendance; 3748

retired_brinker317

Tommy Fraser said his farewells on Sunday morning - a £30,000 transfer to Coventry City rubber-stamped by Chairman Dick Knight and his Coventry counterpart soon after Sunday's game. Fairway didn't intend to spend the resulting transfer windfall, considering his squad strong enough, but he would keep an eye out for any prospective purchases throughout the transfer window.

Confidence among the players on Monday morning was a little deflated after Brighton had been, frankly outclassed, by Győr at the weekend, but soon picked up, with treminder that Norwich City would be visiting on Wednesday evening - Fairway making clear that it was a final chance for the fringe players in particular to stake a claim for a starting role in the opening match of the season. Off the field, things were looking a lot rosier - Season ticket sales now touching 5300, with another 1500 or so expected to be sold in the coming weeks.

The manager would also be encouraged by Michel Kuipers and Dean Hammond - both injured in the first week of preseason training, but both now fit enough to resume light work, putting them in the frame for a possible appearance on Wednesday evening. He didn't plan to throw either in at the deep end, but would certainly look at bringing them back should fitness levels warrant the risk.

What was also interesting for Fairway was the contract situation of various players. With preseason now coming to an end, he had a fair idea of his first choice starting lineup - and wanted to quickly secure those players on longer term contracts. With this - and the financial boost recieved from the sale of Fraser - in mind, Fairway sat down with Chairman Dick Knight to work out terms to be offered to several key players, including Micheal Spillane , Hamed Kavianpour , Bas Savage , Jake Robinson and several others. First though, there was the small matter of that final preseason game.

Brighton & Hove Albion v Norwich City - Preseason Friendly - 29.7.09

Brighton First Half (4-1-4-1); Cole, Whing, Rents, Hinshelwood(*), Virgo, Spillane, Nordveit, Kavianpour, Dalla Valle, Phillips, Savage

Whilst Dean Hammond failed a late fitness test, Fairway did bring Kuipers back into the squad - otherwise unchanged from that who lost to Győr on Saturday. Norwich brought a strong squad down for the game, including ex-Albion winger Dean Cox, but it was Brighton who were out of the blocks quickest - chances for Kavianpour, Phillips, Spillane - against his former club - and Dalla Valle, before, on 19, Bas Savage sprung the Norwich offside trap, meeting a Demar Phillips cross with a crisp, low drive into the corner from the edge of the box. Brighton dominated the early period of the game, and should have gone further ahead when Kavianpour saw a spectacular overhead effort flash wide. Norwich, by contrast, were quiet - until the 27th minute, when Jason Shackell headed home from a corner. From then on, the half turned - regaining their confidence, Norwich came forward in waves - Cole doing well to deny Strakihva before, 5 minutes before the break, Chris Brown got away from Lauri Dalla Valle to power hom a headed effort. Savage then put a chance over at the other end, whilst Brown was denied by a full-stretch Cole save, with the supporters of both sides going for a half time cuppa having seen a great display of football.

Brighton Second Half (4-1-4-1); Kuipers, El-Abd, Mayo, Elphick, Ketia, McCallister, Wills, Centeno(*), Ngo Baheng, Ben Fardou, Robinson

Robinson again lead the line, whilst Michel Kuipers got a warm reception from the home fans after time out through injury. He was quickly called into action, doing well to hold a deflected Rubins shot, before Brown should have doubled his tally with an angled drive that flew well wide of the far post. In contrast to the first, the second half was a tough, gritty affair, with tackles flying in on both sides. Ex-Brighton man Cox was replaced on 70, getting a good reception from the home fans - but Adam El-Abd got an even better one five minutes later when his powerful, low effort beat 'keeper Marshall from the edge of the box after good work by Wills. That was about it - both sides working very hard all evening, and earning a well-deserved round of applause from both sets of supporters at the end of the 90 minutes. The real stuff up next!

Brighton 2 - Norwich 2

Press Statements

Stuart Fairway - Brighton Manager

"We started superbly, but didn't take our chances and for a while I thought we were going to come away empty handed. But, fair play to the lads, they stuck at it and Adam (El-Abd) got a great equaliser. We looked very good coming forward at times, but are still a little rusty - hopefully we can shrug that off quickly and get out of the blocks sharpish when the League campaign starts.

Anton Allen - Norwich Manager

"A good game of football - not always what you get in preseason, but tonight we saw two sides who wanted to play the game the right way, and did so. I was a little disapointed with some of our passing, but both Jason (Shackell) and Chris (Brown) took their goals really well. We've still got a few players to come back from injury, but I was very impressed, and I think we've got a good squad this year".

Attendance; 4145

retired_brinker317

Excellent news on Thursday morning, when Chairman Dick Knight confirmed to Fairway that Hamed Kavianpour , Bas Savage , Michel Kuipers and Jake Robinson , as well as young gun Gary McCallister had all signed new deals - that core of the side coming back together.

Friday would see the draw for the first round of the Carling Cup - with Brighton drawn at home to Southend United . A team in the same division wasn't as bad - Charlton away - or as good - Stevenage at home - as it could have been, but in the four matches between the two sides since Fairway took over at Withdean, Brighton had got something from every match, giving them a physcological advantage, if nothing else.

Friday afternoon saw a Reserves match at Woodside Road - Leyton Orient the visitors, and Scott Prince on form with a brace handing the second string a 2-1 victory, with Dean Hammond also continuing his comeback from injury with a starring role in midfield.

Third - again. The media seemingly not confident that Brighton would gain that automatic promotion, and that it would be another campaign ending in the playoffs. - or at least, involving - the Playoff places.

With Dean Hammond now back in full training, Fairway was pleased to see Micheal Spillane signing a new deal on Sunday - the Irishman hopefully quelling speculation that he wanted a move, after links with Blackpool and Plymouth Argyle in the summer. Season ticket wise, another strong week - now up to 6539, with another week's worth of sales before the big kickoff expecting to see that rise to around 6700.

Sunday afternoon's entertainment - for most - was the Community Shield with League winners Liverpool beating Cup winners Arsenal in a typically dour 2-1 victory on a thoroughly miserable day at Wembley. Goals from Torres and Kuyt inside the opening 9 minutes set Liverpool on their way, before Adebayor pulled one back just before the break. Meanwhile, Brighton would recieve a boost in the race for promotion - Cardiff City , favourites for the title, losing talented midfielder Joe Ledley to Wolves in a £2.6 Million deal.

Fairway travelled away on Tuesday night, going with the Under 18's for a preseason game against Feeder club The New Saints in Wales - a 3-1 victory, with a goal from Lee Bryne , a young, creative, Irish midfielder who he had handed a senior squad number to earlier in the month, and a brace from fellow youngster Rutherford. It was quite handy for the manager - he had intended to go with the Reserves on Wednesday to see them face another feeder side in Dundalk , with Wales being considerably nearer to Dundalk than Brighton. A strong reserve side completely overwhelmed Dundalk's slightly weakened - many important players rested, with the Irish League Season now running during the summer - team, winning by 8 goals to Nil - George O'Callaghan netting a hatrick, with Scott Prince and Wesley Ngo Baheng chipping in with braces - Adam El-Abd completing the rout late on.

After returning to England, Fairway found expectation growing throughout the week, and the usual press calls, squad photo sessions and the like, Demar Phillips recieved a boost, earning a callup to the Jamacia squad for the vital World Cup Qualifyer against Group leaders Mexico. The Reggae Boyz found themselves in a strong position after 5 games - third in a group of 6 of which 4 qualify, with fellow Island nation Trinidad & Tobago just below them, but 6 points clear ahead of Panama in 5th and well ahead of Cuba, bottom and without a point - and only a single goal - to their names.

A day later, Walter Centeno became the next Brighton player to secure a new - probably his final - deal signing a two-year contract to take him beyond his 36th birthday - and with that, preseason was just about rounded up - and the real thing approached.

Brighton & Hove Albion v Port Vale - League One - 8.8.09

Brighton (4-1-4-1); Cole, Whing, Rents, Hinshelwood, Virgo, Spillane, Hammond(*) (Nordveit 62), Kavianpour, Dalla Valle, Phillips, Savage

Port Vale (4-1-4-1); Chambers, Doyle (Robinson 72), Sawyer, Weatherston(*), Ifil, Hamill (Stewart 62), Rocastle, Whelan, Hart, Hayes, Richards (Mulryne 74)

Saturday, 3pm - the first day of the season. Fevered expectation amongst the crowd at the Withdean, and a bright, if unseasonably chilly, day for the opener. The visitors had the first chance of the match, with Whelan surging forward to shoot over, but on 9 minutes, a deflected Sam Rents free kick bobbled past an unsighted Chambers to give Brighton the lead in somewhat scrappy fashion. From then on though Brighton began to dominate - Hammond and Savage both shooting wide, before, on 42, Rents chipped a free kick to Hamed Kavianpour , who netted from just outside the box with a sizzling 25-yard shot on the volley. A second was certainly what Brighton deserved, but on the stroke of half time, they would be pegged back - Jake Cole desperatley unlucky to put through his own net on his debut after Rocastle's long range drive came back off the post, hitting the 'keeper, beaten by the strength of the effort, on the behind and bouncing into the net. At the break Fairway left his side unchanged, telling them to go out and push on to secure the victory. Brighton clearly took the words of their manager to heart - Hamed Kavianpour netted with a great chip, again from around the 25-yard mark, on 48, before Rents saw a curling effort tipped over by the acrobatic Chambers minutes later. Kavianpour then hooked over when going for a hatrick, but at the other end, 'keeper Cole stood no chance when a towering Marc Richards header flew into the top corner, with Hinshelwood beaten in the air for perhaps the first time in the game. Brighton would then introduce Nordveit for skipper Hammond, and the Norweigen had an almost instant impact - his pass found Savage, who released Kavianpour, the Iranian having a shot tipped over the top. From the resulting corner, Bas Savage popped up at the near post, glancing the ball beyond Chambers - and Brighton were on their way. Another Rents corner was met by another Bas Savage header on 78 to make it five, and it was now 'olé' football from the home side. Every pass was now greeted with cheers - but the biggest would come right at the death, when Lauri Dalle Valle rounded 'keeper Chambers to slot home a sixth after Savage had been outmuscled by Sawyer. Six would be harsh on Port Vale - but after a slighly misfiring attack during preseason, Albion fans would go home with their side in pole position - albeit with another 45 games to go.

Brighton 6 - Port Vale 2

Press Statements

Stuart Fairway - Brighton Manager

"A fantastic result, and a very impressive performance. I was delighted to see Bas (Savage) score in particular - he can look a little out of the game at times, but you know that, when the ball goes into the box, he will be on the end of it. Hamed Kavianpour got a great brace as well, but my biggest praise goes to the defence - Hinsh and Virgs were great in the air, and Sam Rents scored again as well. Really something to build on"

Martin Foyle - Port Vale Manager

"We didn't deserve to concede six - although we were certainly second best for much of the game. The boy Kavianpour did very well, he was different class, and I can see why Brighton wanted to keep hold of him. We looked OK coming forward, Marc Richards took his goal well and Rocky (Craig Rocastle) did well in the middle. A little sloppy at the back I appreciate, but we know where we've got to improve. Fair play to Brighton, they will be right up there again this season"

Attendance; 8423

retired_brinker317

With the players granted permission to enjoy a few drinks after a very positive start to the season, Fairway picked up on the news that Brighton would face Luton at home in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy - the draw announced on Sunday morning. Rents, Dalla Valle, Kavianpour and Savage would also recieve personal plaudits, with mentions in the weekly League One divisional select - and Fairway suspected that Hamed Kavianpour was also in with a decent shout for Goal of the Month, his first especially something special.

The players would return to training on Monday morning, with Fairway quick to bring his men back down to earth after an almost perfect start to the league campaign. Southend in the Carling Cup up next, and with all season tickets now sold, Fairway was quick to remind his players that the supporters would expect things to continue in a winning vein.

Another set of supporters expecting a Wednesday night victory? Those of Tottenham Hotspur - an absolute dream of a draw for the Londoners in the Third Qualifying Round of the Champions League, with Montenegro Champions Buducnost visiting White Hart Lane.

Brighton & Hove Albion v Southend United - Carling Cup 1st Round - 12.8.09

Brighton (4-1-4-1); Cole, Whing, Rents, Hinshelwood, Virgo, Spillane, Hammond(*), Kavianpour, Dalla Valle, Ben Fardou (Robinson 70), Savage

Southend (4-4-2); Flahavan, Albrechtsen, Thompson (Maher 74), Richards, Barrett, Francis, Howard, McCormack, Obadeyi (Hamill 27), Murphy, Campbell (Thompson 89)

One enforced change for Brighton, with Phillips on international duty, would see loanee Ben Fardou brought in for his Brighton debut. The Seagulls began brightly on a miserable evening - Kavianpour shooting over inside the first minute, before Savage should have done better with a header on 9. Rents, Savage and Kavianpour all had further chances - but on 29, a long ball from Richards saw Daryl Murphy use his pace to get beyond the Brighton back line, Cole beaten with a low shot from the edge of the box. The goal hit Brighton like a sledgehammer - Rents quickly forced into a desperate clearance, whilst Cole held a header from Murphy on 41. The break couldn't come soon enough for Brighton, with Fairway telling his side to go more direct, and up the tempo on a difficult, sticky surface. Whing and Savage had the first chances of the second half - a half volley from the right fullback bravely blocked by goalscorer Murphy on 52 - before Savage drew a fingertip save on the hour mark. Fairway then rang the changes, bringing on Robinson for a tiring Ben Fardou - but on 73, Daryl Murphy was able to head home a deep Howard cross, all but killing Brighton's hopes. They battled - Savage a threat in the air as always and Kavianpour having a shot charged down - but in the end, it was only a smart Cole save that denied Murphy a hatrick, and an even more comprehensive victory.

Brighton 0 - Southend 2

Press Statements

Stuart Fairway - Brighton Manager

"I'm disapointed - Out of the League Cup at the first time of asking again - that's twice in a row now. I'm disapointed after Saturday's performance, we looked lethargic and poor. The pitch didn't help, but Daryl Murphy took his goals well, and after looking solid on Saturday, we allowed Southend far too much room tonight."

Steve Tilson - Southend Manager

"The difference today was Daryl Murphy - he's come in for big money, and showed he was worth it today. I thought we were in trouble the way Brighton started, but we started winning the ball and it was quite comfortable in the end"

Attendance; 8492

retired_Splendido

As usual

CLASS

retired_jgirl87

Good to see you back with another excellent story, d_s. :thup: