At the end of the first game against Bolton it was euphoria and promotion, by midweek disappointment set in after a close 3-2 defeat at Boro, and by the end of the week, time to hit the panic button as we sink without trace at Huddersfield.
Oh the joys of supporting the Clarets, you would think after all the years of exhilaration and desperation aboard the Clarets rollercoaster, we fans would be immune to such violent mood swings, but no.
Surely a second round home cup draw to lowly Plymouth would get the old swingometer ratings moving upwards. Alas, a much changed starting eleven stuttered to a draw and a penalty shoot out victory that had the crowd wishing they had opted for an early night instead.
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| Charlie Austin twice came close with headers |
So Saturday 1st September sees the return of Gus Poyet’s Brighton and Hove Albion to the Turf, and the mood amongst the fans decidedly downbeat. Transfer deadline day whilst not resulting in the loss of any ‘star’ players saw only one incomer, winger Cameron Stewart on loan from Hull City. No sign of a striker or playmaker in the Robbie Blake mould that the club is desperately in need of. Brighton on the back of a 5-1 victory last week should be brim full of confidence and it looked like a difficult day ahead.
Stewart makes the starting line up with Wallace back to the bench, and Bartley is recalled with Vokes also left out. This leaves us with what looks like a 4-5-1 formation with Austin as the lone striker, and Stewart and Stanislas out wide of Bartley, Marney and McCann.
Now this formation might work but only if the three centre midfielders know their roles and are prepared to push on and support the striker. Pretty soon into the game and that seems to be in some doubt. Austin is left ploughing a willing but lone furrow whilst the centre mids fail to support and often look questioningly at each other.
The wingers are playing a peripheral role seeing little of the action and Brighton begin to assert themselves. On eight minutes a scare for the Clarets as Trippier is hurt in a challenge and stays down for some time. Fortunately he recovers but his attacking forays are certainly curtailed being up against the dangerous Lua Lua.
We are steadily being pushed on to the back foot and it’s no real surprise on 17 minutes when the impressive Mackail-Smith finishes clinically from outside the box from a head down.
Our attempts to respond are limited to a couple of speculative efforts from the new boy Stewart and as the half wears on the visitors are dictating the game and looking threatening. Our formation is failing miserably and the build up is ponderous allowing Brighton to get men behind the ball far too easily. Half time comes none too soon and I can’t recall a single serious attempt on the Brighton goal. Oh dear!
Half time sees Eddie realise that we need a change and to the relief of the crowd Martin Paterson makes his entrance at the expense of Bartley and the formation swiches to 4-4-2, with Pato up top with Charlie.
On 48 minutes Lua Lua misses a good chance to increase the visitors lead, but steadily the Clarets are beginning to gain some momentum as Paterson’s movement starts to create some space.
On 56 minutes Austin is close with a header, and on 59 minutes its game on as Stanislas’s low cross from the left is turned in to his own goal by Greer.
On 62 minutes Wallace replaces Stewart who is presumably tiring, and within two minutes has earned himself a yellow card for a rash challenge. In between Ross’s two big moments, Stanislas contrives to miss a simple header from plum in front of goal as the Clarets up the tempo.
On 71 minutes Wallace is close with a long range effort tipped over and just as we think the tide has turned in our favour its back to the other end and a fine save from Grant keeps out Mackail-Smith. However he is not to be denied for long and restores the visitors lead with a stunning overhead kick.
We manage a brief rally and Austin has another great header tipped round, but Buckley scorns a chance for the Seagulls. On 86 minutes the game is up as Greer nets from close range from a corner and Brighton see out the match with consummate ease.
Brighton were rugged, well organised and dangerous and certainly in the first half we were none of these. It seems strange that we are four games into the season and still experimenting with formations, surely these should have been ironed out in pre season.
Where is Brian Stock, who was supposed to be the final piece in the jigsaw? Why is he sat on the bench, he must be fit we played him the full 120 minutes in midweek.
Alarm bells are already ringing, one win and 3 defeats, 8 goals conceded in the last three league games. Confidence is draining rapidly both on the pitch and in the stands.
As clubs in the division go on seemingly spending money they don’t have whilst we squirrel it away for the rainy day, we are in danger of being left behind. We need to get some experienced fighters into the squad, guys who don’t like losing, and please add some flair before it’s too late.
Well that’s my Saturday night ruined, time to kick next door’s cat and drown my sorrows. Roll on Peterborough.