Mark Brailsford looks up at the Seagulls

Following the collapse of the transfer of the Groningen centre half Virgil van Dijk on the eve of the transfer window, Gus Poyet turned his attention to potentially one of the most significant signings of the season. With Gordon Greer out for three weeks (perhaps longer) with a hamstring injury and Lewis Dunk otherwise engaged, the signing of a central defender was vital if Poyet is to turn those morale sapping draws into precious wins. This can work one of two ways, either the signing of Upson will prove to be a masterstroke or The Albion will slip down the league to jostle with the also-rans and dare one think it, joust with some of the teams hovering above the relegation zone.

“Looking up with optimism may be a tad fanciful”

At the time of writing only nine points separate Albion and Wolves who are fourth from bottom. Alarmist? Probably, but the instinct to glance downwards rather than upwards is getting to be a habit, just when it all looked so rosy when Leonardo Ulloa signed. A lack of pace is a concern at the back and Upson will need time to adjust, but after that poor result at Sheffield Wednesday, looking up with optimism may be a tad fanciful.

One of the difficulties of having that recent series of draws snatched from the jaws of victory is that morale can take a while to recover. A team that lets itself get pushed back too much is one that betrays anxiety, a habit of The Albion recently, so fingers crossed the signing of ex-England international Upson will add that extra level of know-how to provide the solid platform Gus’s method of play requires. It would be only fair to allow Upson to bed in before judging how suitable he will be for this Albion squad and a positive result or two will do wonders for the team if they can manage it.

This is crunch time for the play-off push and Greer will be sorely missed. As for young Mr Upson, to adjust from a hoof ball team like Stoke City to a pass and move side like Albion is going to take a little time, at the time of writing the jury’s still out, in more ways than one.

Next up: Blackburn, Cardiff & Burnley

There are no easy games in the Championship, or so goes the cliché, but this run of matches has it all. Revenge, a top dog trying to recreate lost glories and an underdog battle again being key plotlines in the drama about to unfold. Leaving aside the Blackburn match, Cardiff away presents the most difficult match of the season so far with Albion the underdog. Or are they? Albion won easily there last time. Even Hoskins scored, so you never know with this one, it will be a hell of contest if Albion can get an early goal.

As for Burnley, anyone who witnessed the amazing and undeserved 0-1 defeat to them last season. It’s payback time for the players who played that day, Barnes was sent off then too (Gus, have a word!).

An ironic version of ‘The Great Escape’ sung by the crowd as Ulloa completes his hat trick would go a long way to easing the sense of injustice felt last time Burnley came to The Amex. As long as Albion stay in touch with the top six for this run of games, then this season could be all about that game in March against Palace.

Sussex Senior Cup match rescheduled

The Sussex Senior Cup tie between Lancing and Albion’s development squad has been rescheduled for Monday 18 February at Culver Road, kick-off 7.45pm.

The game was due to take place on Monday night but was postponed following a pitch inspection during the afternoon.
Albion reached the third round following a 2-0 win against Worthing during November while the Sussex County Division 1 side moved to this stage of the competition with a convincing 6-0 win against Oakwood.
Admission will be £6 for adults, £4 for over-65s and £2 for under-16s.
Words: Will JagoAlbion sign Ince

Albion have signed defender Rohan Ince on an 18-month development deal, which will contract him to the Seagulls until June 2014.

The 20 year old graduated through the academy at Chelsea after joining the Blues as a seven year old, but had his contract terminated allowing him to join Albion on a free transfer.

The imposing defender has been on trial at the Amex, playing against Bournemouth and Ipswich Town for the development squad side last month.

He told seagulls.co.uk:”I hope I can perform to a high level within the development squad and then get a chance to prove myself in the first team in the future.”
Words: Will Jago

The run in

Looking up the table to a rapidly distant top six, there are only three teams Albion have to play above them in the table, the rest are clustered around the top ten spot with a smattering of others down below, so you would think the task of charging for the play-off’s is achievable, providing the team go on a good run. Looking on the bright side, the match against Our Friends in the North in March provides a tasty unknown, in that it provides an opportunity for revenge for the debacle at Selhurst Park, another example of an early red card costing points. So, let’s assume, while we’re being optimistic, that Palace are defeated (please!!!) the trip to Cardiff is written off and Albion get an unlikely draw at Leicester. Then, a two point average until the end of the season should put Albion in the top six. Now looking at it with a pessimistic eye, if we lose against Palace then this equation looks desperate, other teams around The Seagulls will be pushing for that play-off place in a quite compelling series of battles, it would arguably leave Albion with too much to do. Now as some of you who read this column on a regular basis will know, Crystal Palace (or Our Friends in the North as I like to call them because I can’t even type their name without frothing at the mouth) are a team this columnist considers to be of massive importance for historical reasons. However, it now looks like this match could prove to be the catalyst for that yearned for push to the play-offs as well, it’s a massive game. Perhaps we can settle for a few ups and downs (pun intended) while the team gels as long as The Albion stay in touch with the teams above and then beat Palace, that would ignite the blue and white touch paper, then look out Wembley.
Words: Mark Brailsford