Below par at Norwich, but there are no easy games in the Premier League
Saturday arrived and according to the weather forecast, the sun was shining on Carrow Road. Whilst Brighton prepared themselves to take on Norwich City, I had to ensure that the AA batteries were in top form and ready to load into the Roberts DAB Radio.
Listening via radio means hearing our trusted BBC Radio Sussex commentators Johnny and Warren in real-time. Listening via MyAlbion TV means a time delay issue so that you get BBC notifications saying we have scored before the commentary tells you.
Something I was by now fed up with having experienced it whilst trying to follow from holiday in Portugal last month.
Goal notifications were not really relevant on this occasion as it finished Norwich 0-0 Brighton. Over the airwaves, it sounded as if the Canaries were going to run us off the road in Norfolk, the home of Lotus cars.
It was a frustrating listen and only the sterling work of Dan Burn, Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy saved me from hurling the radio down the garden in frustration. I am not an angry man, however I do get very emotional when it comes to the Albion and the beautiful game.
Such a below par performance from Brighton did not help. Chances were few and far between, although it was disappointing that the tackle on Neal Maupay by Tim Krul did not see a penalty given in our favour as that may well have changed the whole outlook of the game.
Leandro Trossard too came close, hitting the bar with a shot which if Krul did not get a fingertip onto, would have been a cracking goal.
We were though more indebted to those lads at the back and Robert Sanchez who were in top form to claim a clean sheet.
Brighton head coach Graham Potter says each week in his press conference that every team and every game in the Premier League is tough.
Just because Norwich were at the bottom of the table, it did not necessarily mean an easy game for the Seagulls. And he is right, isn’t he?
Brighton have been superb for most of the season and if the guys keep up the great work, it will continue to pay off.
I am really looking forward to getting back to the Amex this Saturday for the home game against Manchester City – will Pep Guardiola be as grumpy with Potter as he was when leaving the playing surface the last time the two men met back in May?
Our trusted head coach really is this squad’s GP, as it says on his tracksuit. He will be guiding the players this week on the training field and in the classroom, giving them a real ‘Pep’ talk (apologies for the pun).
That will focus on how to beat City. Us fans have a part to play too and must not get downhearted if things do not go our way. We have to shout the loudest, cheer on the team and give them all the enthusiasm and help we can.
With players coming back from injury, this great start to the season we are all thankful for could get even better. The positive approach of the squad has been amazing and fed into to some really good performances, mixed with a bit of luck of course.
Brighton are not dissimilar to Brentford right now. The sheer determination the Bees showed against Chelsea was equally amazing – a great game to catch up on that if you have not seen it yet.
Just like the Albion, Brentford have made a flying start to the season. They never know when to give up and as we all know, it is never over until the fat lady sings.
Let us hope she is singing on three points and another famous victory over the champions. Up the Albion!
