I spoke to Brighton fan @SwSpTacchinardi , author of the excellent www.notworththat.wordpress.com blog, on what Charlton can expect from Brighton tonight.
1) How will Poyet set up tactically?
That’s a difficult one. Last time out at home when we beat Palace was the first time all season we had started with two wingers either side of a centre forward. We started with the same at Forest but Kazenga Lua Lua was lucky not to be shown a red card and was removed at half time, after which Brighton improved. It will almost certainly be a 433 with Leo Ulloa through the middle and Will Buckley on the forward three. Most fans would like to see Lua Lua keep his place but with Gus Poyet you just ever know.
2) What are you’re weaknesses? Where do teams get joy from when they play Brighton?
If we play with one winger if can easy to channel our attacks down that flank and double up on the player. Some teams, most notably Barnsley recently, have got joy from isolating our centre backs in possession. We like to build from the back but some sides succeed in slowing down but sitting off our defenders and leaving them with the ball and restricting their options. Getting players behind the ball and defending deeply is another popular tactic – particularly at The Amex, as the Albion sometimes struggle to pick the final, all-important creative pass to unlock a defence.
3) What players should we be looking out for?
Leo Ulloa has been a revelation since arriving from Spain in January and has proved to be the sort of striker Brighton have been missing since Glenn Murray headed for Selhurst Park. Liam Bridcutt is probably Brighton’s most influential and consistent player – but not always eye-catching for opposition fans. His work rate and composure on the ball is impressive and he is vital in keeping the ball moving and supporting the back four. Other than that David Lopez has made himself something of a fans favourite, while Andrea Orlandi is capable of some to quality performances. If he gets on, watch out for Vicente. Possibly the most talented player to wear the stripes, the Spanish international has the sort of ability which makes it seem a bit like cheating to play him at this level. Sadly, his fitness levels mean he can’t play as much as everyone would like.
4) Brighton have been flirting with the play-offs all season, but look to be finding form when it matters. Do you think you’ll make it?
Tonight and Saturday are key. If we can take six points from the Charlton and Leicester games I think we will. But that is a big if. This season, like most of the sides in the Championship, we’ve found it hard to clock up a run of good results. For example, we beat Palace and were superb, but in the games leading up to our derby we had lost to Barnsley and failed to get a single shot on target at Bristol City. Thankfully, all the other top teams seem to be just as consistent in their inconsistency.
5) Prediction?
Almost impossible to tell. We should be expecting a win, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it end a score draw – possibly 1-1. Charlton seem a decent outfit and I’ve been impressed with Chris Powell. He seems to be a good young manager and whenever your see him interviewed he always seems quite classy. Charlton are a club Brighton fans seem to genuinely like. Away days at the Valley are always a season highlight and this season some fans gave Selhurst a sidestep in favour of the more welcoming match at Charlton. A draw would not be the end of her world tonight – or a massive shock – but at this stage of the season we have to be wanting to win our home games if we are serious about making the play offs. I’ll go 2-1 Brighton.
Valley Talk 