Fatman Slim's Features Page
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Information displayed under above tabs covers BHA from 1999 up to present day, or the 12 year WITHDEAN ERA - and what an extended decade!! |
old combats, new contests
During '10/11, this important season will be a twelfth and last campaign in the Withdean era, since Albion's homecoming in 1999. Throughout that previous 11 yr period ('00-'10) BHA have been in an equivalent tier twice for League2, six times at League1 and three terms in the Championship (old divs 3,2,1). Not a bad record considering those well documented constraints our football club is forced to operate under.
Below is a list of Lg1 clubs Brighton play this season, showing when we last met and at what level. Overall there is quite a competitive but mixed bunch on offer. Due to a yoyo nature of several annual win/lose scenarios, some old opponents (1, 2) are again in our sights. Conversely teams with Championship credentials (C) are going to test us, as they aim to hit the big time once more. By anyones standards it should again be one hell of a scrap this year (yeah, we did say that every season!) - onward to battle!!
F = FA Cup. L = League Cup. A is AW shield, D is LDV and J is JPT, all these = FL Trophy.
Our next fixture is always highlighted.
| Team | 99/00 | 00/01 | 01/02 | 02/03 | 03/04 | 04/05 | 05/06 | 06/07 | 07/08 | 08/09 | 09/10 | 10/11 | |||
| Brighton | 2 | 2 | 1 | C | 1 | C | C | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Bournemouth | A | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Brentford | 0 | D | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Bristol R | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | L | L | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Carlisle | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Charlton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Colchester | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Dagenham n Redbridge | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel | ||||||||
| Exeter | 2 | 2 | 0 | L | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Hartlepool | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Huddersfield | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| L Orient | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| MK Dons | 0 | 0 | 0 | J | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel | ||||
| Notts Co | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Oldham | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Peterborough | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Plymouth | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | C | C | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Rochdale | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Sheff W | 0 | 0 | 0 | C | 1 | 0 | C | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Southampton | 0 | 0 | L | 0 | 0 | 0 | C | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Swindon | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Tranmere | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Walsall | 0 | 0 | 0 | C | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
| Yeovil Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Previous Encounters | 10 things... | Travel |
Albion Squad:
| 1 | ||
| 2 | Andy Whing | FRINGE - right back; was poy a couple of years ago. Couldn't get a game last term. Had a chat wiv Gus. Stayed in UK while colleagues went to Algarve. What next? |
| 3 | (Jimmy McNulty) | LOANED - Leftback; came back from abdominal surgery and made bid for a '9/10 place. Started again and played 70min of JPT tie. Back in squad at long last and ok. Injured again, then sub. Mares and looked lost in m-f. Ok he's a fullback rather than fallback. Mistakes cost us versus Villa and didn't hold place on that display. Went to play at Scunthorpe - transfer talk. Contract to '11/12 but...? PROSPECTS - will move on in Withdean merry-go-round. Gone back to Iron for 6 months. |
| 4 | TOMMY ELPHICK | 1ST 11 - Cent def; made a man of him in 4 terms of torment from third tier strikers. Half decent start '9/10 but needed to be full on it. Sent off for 2 yellows. Started again and up to speed. Mares at home and right job on. Learnt hard way. Confidence shot to pieces and subbed. Given a shot in the arm by Poyet and responded. Found it tough against quality strikers. Tried to head it when a low block is the answer. Half decent form into '10. Got a goal against Villa and done good. Finds top frontmen a handful and drifts off them. Upped it and ok. Headed other goals. PoY candidate. Racked up nearly full apps. PROSPECTS - got to raise game to tier two standards. |
| 5 | {Jake Wright} | TRANSFER - Defender; six figure signing from er, Crawley. Was a big fish in a small pond. Falmer has one too. Made mistakes but looked ok as a pukka pro at lb. Hamstring prob. Started again but looked rusty and inexperienced. Accomplished display in c-d for JPT night out in east London. Weak link in reg defence. Injured again. Dropped and loaned to Oxford in Conf. Transfer talk to go there, though contract to '10/11. PROSPECTS - went off to get a non academic qualification. |
| 6 | Adam El-Abd | SQUAD - Utility; an old hand now. Can take on destroyer mf role but struggles with distribution. Fills in at left or right back or c-d. Fought his way back into '08/9 side after injury and formation changes. Searched for the hero inside himself and at level. Not first choice and reached crossroads in career. Mare H/A apps in heavy defeats. Selected by default. Got it together in rare win at Withy and fighting away displays. Sent off in reg home horror show and better away. Injured foot. Signed new deal and appreciated by GP. Returned and big job on. Got a goal and Gus really likes him more now. PROSPECTS - fits in with Latin hard man ethos but can he stay on top of his game? |
| 7 | ||
| 8 | ALAN NAVARRO | 1ST 11 - Cent midfield; former MKD m-f man '08/9 who can play a bit. 28yo with plenty of know-how and tells L from R, as well as BHA from sweet FA. Battled and might be better going forward. Tried at least. Exposed in thrashings. Injured and subbed. On bench - well, there were 7 there. Impressed new gaffer. In holding roll but got subbed. Difficult job on against Villa. Injured foot. Top man but coulda upped distribution stats. Came good and first choice. PROSPECTS - L1 managers know his game, so can you teach an old dog new tricks? |
| 9 | ||
| 10 | {Liam Dickinson} | TRANSFER - Striker; 23yo signed from Derby for '9/10. Six foot fooking four and can score wiv feet and all. Was at Stockport and knows a bit about lower leagues too. Not pretty on the ball but got a good goal celebration. Great debut and ok 451 or 433. Wanted to be popular with fans. Show of petulance after Ref showed early yellow and temper tantrum affected performance. Poss at real grade. Dropped following a night out in Brighton. Started in FAC replay. Bit of a pussy for a big bloke. Couldn't score for toffee. Looked at level versus Villa. Flattered to deceive, rabbit in headlights. Went on loan to Posh. had contract to '11/12. Questions need answers. Was it just attitude? PROSPECTS - well, would you have him at head of team selections? Got taken on by Barnsley in pre-season. |
| 11 | [Kaz LuaLua] | WISH LIST for '10/11. Winger; loaned from Newcastle '9/10. 19yo is a brother of Pompey's Congolese striker Lomana. Was ultra quick, can play l or r and a crowd pleaser. Well that's what Poyet said and who would want to argue? Seeing was believing. Did ok on app but unfit. Done v good and form better. Got subbed - injured leg. Out for season? Went home but came back. Remarkable recovery. Same pace but where was the quality? Then hamstrung in more ways than one. |
| 12 | (James Tunnicliffe) | LOANED - Defender; 20yo signing from Stockport '9/10, got a 3 year deal. Highly thought of and fee undisclosed. Impressive debut and got reg place. Headed a goal and can get more. Dropped to bench. Started and mare in trick or treat meet. Hoped luck better with arrival of Gus. Selected but part of leaky defence and held hands up. On bench. With MKD for a spell. Came back. Contract to '11/12 and supposedly part of BHA future. PROSPECTS - will get better with coaching and experience but how many opportunities depends on form. Transfer speculation rife. Gone to Bristol R for the season. |
| 13 | Mitchell Walker | SQUAD - Keeper; Not very tall. Good kicker and strong hands. Only a kid, just shaves but does he regularly save? Went to E'bourne Boro as emg cover between sticks. Now no.3 goalie at BHA. Wasn't risked and did reg job for reserves. SSC medal winner. 1st 11 debut on last day - ok and not a hard time. To be in '10/11 development group. |
| 14 | {Diego Arismendi} | NO DEAL - Holding m-f. Gus got him in from Stoke coz he speaks Spanish. Well, he is Uruguayan and not many do in the midlands. Six foot two and young for his age at 22yo. Can do both clog or flair. Samba a speciality and mucho dinero and all. Injured. Debut and ok we suppose. Hardly an impact player. Sent off for handbags & ban. Was wanted for '10/11 but prospects gone cold. Que es esto futebol? |
| 15 | Gary Hart | FRINGE - Striker; bit of a super-sub. Done v good in final starts '08/9. Couldn't bag one? Injured list with foot prob. Subs apps. Played in JPT and needed a goal bad to hang in there. Sub but scored in reserves. Club man and got brownie points in lieu of goals. Invited for pre-season, so got job for '10/11. |
| 16 | {Colin Hawkins} | LEFT - Defender; six foot one inch of Irish centre-back. Came from Coventry - released after achilles injury. Had hernia - fixed that too. Reasonable selection but had to keep mistakes to a minimum. Another Adams signing that flattered to deceive. Sent off as sub for just two minutes play. Got busted hooter too. Heel prob returned and expensive failure. Had to prove fitness before taken any part in '10/11 - declined. Gone back to Eire. |
| 17 | GLENN MURRAY | BANNED - Striker; 300k signing from Rochdale in '08 as lg2 hitman who got goals. Tall and fairly good in air, ok on the floor. Has a brain but needs service to exploit talent. Scores and obviously got an eye for chances. Hold-up okish but no pace. Had short term injuries. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. Injured - groin surgery. Stomach problem and other probs. Dug in and needed to and all. Got 90min in JPT contest. Got a pen then sent off. Better stance with new coaches? Done good in FA Cup. Brilliant away wiv brace, 4goal hero and an enigma. Had chances versus Villa too. Bit of a poacher in the box. League1 striker is his level. Broke home goal duck. Ban for loadsa yellows. Own worst enemy with Refs and temperment has to be coached if to be a tier-two pro of note. Back and had a mare as solo striker. Sent off and ban - is a very bad boy for sure. Could poss transfer back up north. Would save on shrinks fee too. PROSPECTS - ok, where do we start? |
| 18 | Gary Dicker | SQUAD - Cent mf; Slade's first signing. 23yo m-f from Stockport. Good CV and an Irish connection shows he likes river dance fitness, rather than clubbing. Sees a pass. Done good in substandard team efforts. Looked a class act, as team plays more as a unit going forward. Tried to catch eye of Gus to go places. Needed better passing-rate stats. Got a rare goal. Ban. Subbed against Villa and struggled to impose. Part of a strong m-f that strikers need to feed from. Sensational goal to win at H. Had a fair season but improvement expected. PROSPECTS - could be a key man if other selections are on the same wavelength. |
| 19 | INIGO CALDERON | 1ST 11 - Right back - literally! Stalled on signing new contract at end of '9/10 but loved us too much to leave for long. Nasty hip injury curtailed last season success and will be a while before he is 100 per cent again. So'ton didn't want a crock for any money, so the prodigal son returned here as Godfather Gus fav boy. Donde es el toro sh!t? PROSPECTS - will have watched world cup and got a few ideas to beat English average ability. |
| 20 | ||
| 21 | {Seb Carole} | NO DEAL - Winger; 3rd time at club and on weekly sign up. Poyet knows him from Leeds and we did too from McGhee's failed venture into Europe. Well, er France anyway. Sub against Villa and flashes of old ability. Whoops, then same old. Sub and weak link. Started and up to speed with assists. Good one minute, bad the next. Might he take reduced money to stay? Apparently not! |
| 22 | MARCOS PAINTER | 1ST 11 - Defensive lb; loaned from Swansea to get match-fit from injury and try to do us some good too. Actually a Brummie but we can forgive anything at the moment. Idolised and vice versa by GP and time will tell as to honeymoon period. Got selected and didn't disappoint on debut. No frills pro but got skills too. Prob Champ's quality. Stretchered off. Quick recovery and ok too. Fills a problem position well. Wanted for '10/11 and signed before pre-season. PROSPECTS - needs to maintain fitness and professional approach. Hey, defending is an artform! |
| 23 | ||
| 24 | Jamie Smith | FRINGE - Midfielder; former CP bloke who apparently signed for BHA because he wanted to go south. Did some good in BHA mare result. Subbed for tactical reasons. Then dropped. Member of Sussex Senior Cup winning squad. Part of development group for '10/11. Plenty of competition for squad place. |
| 25 | {Craig Davies} | TRANSFER - Forward; signing from Oldham '08/9. Big striker and thought of highly by Adams. Micky wanted goals and men to score, or get another in if not. Goal on debut. Chased around and bother to defenders but how much skill? Flashy but not exactly clinical! Tried but we wanted more for good money spent. Injured. On bench. Was on loan to Yeovil. Started in FA Cup replay. Went to join MA at P Vale for a bit. Contract to '10/11. Transfer speculation. Moved on - somebody somewhere wanted a frontman who might score a few. |
| 26 | ELLIOTT BENNETT | 1ST 11 - Winger; 20yo from Wolves for £250k+ for '9/10 and chased him to say the least. Did wing walking at speed. Looked like a confidence player and Poyet needed to get his arms spread in a man to boy hug. Kid obviously had ability but needed coaching bad. Reasonable first apps. Full-back in home debacle and good stand-in. Sensational in home game with wonder goal too. Played too deep at home. Great goal in FAC replay. Did good stuff but loadsa bad shit too. Not used to full effect either but does defend. Dropped. Didn't test himself or fullback versus Villa. Made an effort to get on score sheet with strikers so in and out. Hid a tad on flank and spasmodic involvement. Kicked off the park at L1. Then super displays away plus great goals. PoY runner up. PROSPECTS - more than just a winger and can develop other skills if he gets head around things. |
| 27 | [Gavin Hoyte] | WISH LIST for '10/11. Fullback - on-loan r-b from Arsenal's reserves. Straight in and did a job. 19yo is son of sprinter Wendy and she had good legs. Kid once faced Robinho and kicked him a couple of times as he went by! Should be class act and did us a turn. Sent off in FA Cup. Loan extended by Poyet and he knows future prospects. Mares at home - subbed. Dropped. Mare again at home and looked weak. Red card too. Needed for 2010 so turned up again. Not on it at lb - subbed. Rb by default and okish. Gus was gonna try for '10/11 but won't hold breath. Massive improvement required. |
| 29 | Peter Brezovan | INJURED - Keeper; December '09 signing and straight into action. Tall and athletic. Good handling and reasonable kicking. Throws out too and er, saved a pen to boot. So far so good. Was at Swindon and comfortable with Gus. Beaten twice in home debacle and slow reactions. A half decent keeper in there somewhere. Big whoops away app. Offered contract, signed it too. Dropped but came back and ok. Brilliant saves including penalty in super away run. But howlers at home. Does come for crosses and punches and all. Signed new two year deal. No1 for '10/11. PROSPECTS - there for taking a hands on approach. Fractured wrist in pre-season out 2 months. |
| 30 | Steve Cook | FRINGE - Defender; young pro who is making jump from youth and reserves toward squad inclusion. Will be part of development group under separate coaching. |
| 33 | Chris Holroyd | SQUAD - Striker; signing from Cambridge who got 18 months. Hot shot in non-league and that's a decent standard in new decade. Considered one for the future and perhaps BHA extended youth policy has run its course for time being. Got a subs app on debut immediately. Started and gave useful display when given ball. Got pace and uses it. Injured leg. Wants a goal but can he? Contract to '10/11. Raw talent but worth coaching to higher level. PROSPECTS - defo potential and worth encouragement to learn frontmans trade. |
| 34 | [Lee Hendrie] | WISH LIST for '10/11. Midfielder - from Derby. 32yo has played in Prem and got Eng U21 credentials. Was with Villa for over a decade and done a spell at Sheff Utd. Not a mug and can see BHA has eyes on our future. Sub on debut and class act. Got hammered away by clog and subbed. Cut above this standard easily. Trying to adapt to rough house div3. Needs quicker movement ahead to make use of playmaker skills. Now free agent and not exactly rushing to Falmer. Tried his luck in SPL. |
| 35 | {Danny Naisbitt} | Keeper - '10 transfer window signing of six foot one inch goalie from Histon in Conference. 31yo had loadsa apps at non-league but was thought ok to handle third-tier level if necessary. Only available as squad cover in L1. |
| 36 | Ashley Barnes | SQUAD - Forward; bit of a target man got in from Plymouth. 20yo liked to mix it up front and had been watched with regard to future prospects. Poss liked 451 and BZ had to start like that a decade ago! Scored on debut and did ok as sub. Got another - nice finish. Not a true lone front man, more an inside forward. Hold up okish and needed a partner but sure to get goals. Prospect for new free scoring pair in 442. Home club made decision to allow permanent move. |
| 37 | Lewis Dunk | FRINGE - defensive minded central player can do m-f too. 18yo got fast tracked from youth side and immediate debut for 1st 11 after signing pro terms. Boy done good and big prospect for Falmer. Started with Wimbledon kids and lives locally so is an MKD loss. Snapped up by BHA and the ex-U18 wasn't six foot three then either. Jumped in pecking order. In development squad. |
| 38 | Jake Caskey | FRINGE - Mid-field or forward. Youngest ever teenager (16 and a little bit) to turn out for first team. Not big but hey, he's man enough to compete in FL and got the scars to prove it. Gus won't rush him and will be included in new develoment squad. |
| 41 | *MICHAEL POKE* | 1ST 11 - Keeper; 24yo free agent from So'ton did a job on loan for Torquay among others. Over six foot and hands big enough to hold world cup type shots. Didn't require much coaching to sign on the goal line. Probably first choice now by default. |
| 42 | *Agustin Battipiedi* | SQUAD; midfielder - 20yo from Argentinian club gets a year here after out of contract in Buenos Aires. Has Italian blood and a passport to prove it. Golden opportunity to see, speak and play English. Loves b&w stripes like our '04/5 Champ's shirt. |
| 43 | *Cristian Baz* | SQUAD; forward - 23yo left footer via Comunicaciones in Argentina. Has Spanish roots so understands what Poyet wants in two languages. Twelve months to show he can be something like south american flair players in world cup finals. |
| 44 | *MATT SPARROW* | 1ST 11 - central m-f; 28yo from Scunthorpe who would rather be on the south coast now. Over a decade with Iron but not so rusty last season to retain tier two status. Can do a job up and down and not just for a short move to friends & family in Sussex. |
| 45 | *GORDON GREER* | 1ST 11 - Central def; 29yo moves from Swindon for couple of hundred grand plus pocket change. Comes from Jockland and turned out for Kilmarnock once or twice. Got a 3 year deal to prove he is now as far south as poss but hopefully not his future career. Banned but could get armband. |
| 46 | *RADOSTIN KISHISHEV* | 1ST 11 - midfield general; 35yo Bulgarian International with 80+ caps. Poyet knows him from Leeds. Came to UK in 1999 when Albion started at Withdean but was up the Valley for a spell. Gets a year and hopes it will be better than that old Lena Lovech song, 'my lucky number one'. Done good in pre-season friendlies. |
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When the new season starts, a record of BHA goals and scorers appears here game by game. It is updated from results on the stats page but also contains information as to how each goal was scored. |
F = FA Cup; L = League Cup; A = AW Shield; D = LDV; J = JP Trophy
