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Brighton v Swansea
PITCHSIDE NOTEBOOK; from Withdean
RESULT; 0-1 . (ht 0-0) . SHAPE; 4-4-2 . PITCH; how green was our valley.
WEATHER; hazy sun and warm . GATE; 7283 . REF; A Taylor - booted and suited as per occasion.
ATMOSPHERE; got to be nice to those Welsh for once.
TEAM; . . . . . . . Kuipers
. . Whing, Elphick, Lynch, Richards
. . . . Robinson, Fraser, Loft, Cox
. . . . . . . . . Murray, Forster
bench; Mayo (90), Dixon (88), Fogden (82), Martot, Gatting
Train-loads of Welsh swelled last day numbers and apparently were in the mood to celebrate being champions. Brighton were way off Swansea's totals and had finished seventh irrespective of today's result. A lot of home fans turned up because it's cheaper for season-ticket costs per fixture if you do. Tommy Elphick got presented with our Player of the Season award just before kick-off. City had to wait until the very end for their pot.
Wilkins picked Fraser and Loft in central midfield and Robinson out wide on the right. Thomson was sick, Racon returned to Charlton and Westlake wanted to see if Leeds might use him next term. Young Fogden joined a lightweight bench and at least knew from experience how good Swansea could be at winning games.
GOALS; 79 min. Swans sub ran rings out and in, on and off the right. The ball was delivered at an attackers feet, then it was over our goal-line. 0-1 - the subtle difference between being promoted and not reaching promotion play-offs.
BABY BLUE EYES SAID; 'hello again, yeah, nice to invite us today and who knows, on evidence of this end of season footy, it won't be the last time either. Albion obviously need strengthening to better this year's finish but every reason to think they might make a serious bid for some honours next term.'
ALBI HOVE SAID; 'look, I don't like losing ok? Knight may have reached three score years and ten but please Dick, don't die rich and still be in League1. Get somebody to put a big fat cheque in with your Albion merchandise birthday cards.'
CLASS WILL OUT; we matched 'em for an hour then they shifted up a gear and it showed. That sort of mental determination, confidence, know-how and skill wins titles and clearly takes things to the next level. Brighton have got to learn to play like the best, or forever be average like the rest.
WILKINS CULL; he has to. You know it, half the squad know it and the last litter patrol of '07/8 do too - as they clean the place up and dump seasons of amassed rubbish, cast-offs and out of sell-bys.
LAST ORDERS; shirt sponsors Skint took a bow as they waved goodbye to ten years of blue & white, plus various shades of away colours. They looked nice in special strip and to use a pre 1999 phrase, were in the groove man. They sent a few records spinning, were always on track at Withdean and left us halfway between...
OLD FRED SAID; 'who got the second promotion place? no, don't say Forest, we'll miss Leeds too! Still, Leicester is nice as an alternative.'
Fatman Slims
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