Mark Brailsford’s praise for Spanish Dave

David Lopez Moreno is turning out to be an excellent signing for Gus Poyet. In the game against Blackpool, his pass to set up the equally impressive Orlandi for his goal, was sublime. The lob with which he beat the Middlesbrough goalkeeper at The Riverside was the personification of this calm and skilful player who is rapidly becoming an Albion hero.

However, one of my favourite moments watching Spanish Dave occurred at Peterborough United in that hard fought 0-0 draw. There was a moment in the second half when Albion were attacking the end where the away fans were congregated. He raced onto a through ball that looked as if it was about to run away from him. Then with two defenders about to flatten him, he pirouetted like a ballet dancer (twice!) dragging back the ball with his feet and danced (it’s the only word that describes this beatific moment of footballing class) past the defenders and into the box. Only a desperate block from a defender prevented Spanish Dave from advancing to score. It was a scintillating moment that fully illustrated how technically brilliant this Albion team has become.

“Spanish Dave could be the difference between getting to Wembley or not”

As the play-offs hove into view, the players that can affect big games are going to come to the fore. Spanish Dave, with his La Liga experience, is looking like one of the players who could be the difference between getting to Wembley or not, as does Orlandi.

Equally, who would bet against Leo Ulloa taking to the Wembley pitch with gusto, a Spanish word for happiness by the way, and burying a hat trick? The wide open Wembley spaces are always much more suited to teams who play the ball around and of all the potential play-off opponents, Albion play the ball around the most. If Leicester make the cut they may struggle as they tend to rely on being direct. Nottingham Forest take more of a battering ram approach which might work initially but will soon tire out their players. Udinese B, sorry Watford, will be similar and these teams could be in the mix to make the final if they confirm their play-off place. Notice no mention of Palace, who it is to be hoped shall be swiftly dispatched in the semi final.

Of the managers of these teams, Billy Davies will be the one to look out for, he has experience of these occasions and his post-match press conferences indicate a bristling intent to complete, what he calls, “unfinished business” at Forest. Of the other managers, Dougie Freedman at Bolton will look on a semi-final or final against Albion with some relish thanks to his Palace connections, but would probably be happier facing his old club. If it’s to be Leicester City, Pearson may have the most to lose and therefore the most pressure, and that’s where the club with the strongest mentality should come through. Whatever the outcome, drama is guaranteed, and if the season ended tomorrow it should still be seen as successful thanks to the progress made by the team.

If Albion miss out on the play-offs then it won’t be all bad. Gus, if he stays can begin planning for next season. If he doesn’t stay then a new manager will have time to build and shape the squad with more time to work the transfer market. As for whether missing out on the play-offs would be seen in a negative light, that depends on whether you are a glass half empty or a glass half full type of person. Albion fell back badly at this stage with that awful hammering at Upton Park, this is a much better team. To finish 7th or 8th would be a great achievement and whatever the season’s outcome, we did beat Palace 3-0. Cheers to that!

Seagulls fan reunited with lifesavers

A Sussex man who suffered a cardiac arrest after watching his beloved team Brighton and Hove Albion play in February has been officially welcomed back by his fellow fans and reunited with those who came to his aid.

Life-long fan Terry Albrighton, 64, from Peacehaven, collapsed at the Amex Stadium as he was leaving the ground after the team’s 1-0 win over Hull on Saturday 9 February.

On Saturday 20 April, Terry was welcomed on to the pitch and interviewed in front of the crowd at half time during the Albion’s victory over Blackpool.

On hearing of Terry’s collapse the event safety team consisting of South East Coast Ambulance Service clinicians, St John Ambulance and the club’s medical and stadium management teams sprang into action.

St John Ambulance crew, Rory Mercer and John Waters, were first on scene. It was evident Terry was in cardiac arrest and the pair immediately started cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, (CPR). SECAmb match paramedics Russell McCombie, Geraldine Chivers, Robin Scott and A&E consultant and crowd doctor at the Amex Rob Galloway, soon joined them.

The team performed advanced life support and delivered three shocks to restart Terry’s heart. Critical Care Paramedic Paul Windsor and Emergency Care Support Worker Garry Beck were next to arrive and continued to care for Terry as he was taken as a priority patient to RSCH.

Terry underwent emergency treatment to be fitted with a stent and miraculously, later the same day, was awake
and asking about the result of the match!

Next match: Wolves at The Amex – Sat 4 May

With any luck, Albion’s place in the play offs will have been more or less confirmed before this match. There is nothing more nerve wracking than facing a team fighting relegation when you need a win to confirm a potential play-off spot. Worryingly, Wolves look like they may need the win to stay up which may make it hard for Gus and the boys. As for the form of the teams concerned, how wrong can a pundit be? In a previous column I pontificated on a tough match in which Albion might struggle against an obdurate Blackpool. Result? 6-1 to The Albion, or 7-0 if you count the amusing Hammond own goal as an Albion one. So inkeeping with my lamentable predictive skills, I’m going for a boring nil nil draw. There, that should at least guarantee Albion a five goal winning margin.
Words: Mark Brailsford

Tony Grealish

Some older fans will recall watching this bearded Eire international in his top flight heyday of the early ’80s. Even though the games were hard fought scrappy encounters, Albion tried to play football and Tony Grealish was a key cog in the survival of the Albion in those early days. Exchanged for the much loved Nobby Horton who went to Luton Town, Grealish came the other way and slotted into the Liam Bridcutt role with aplomb. Brian Horton was a tough act to follow and may explain why Grealish wasn’t given the credit he deserved for helping Albion stay up in 1982. London born Tony Grealish won 45 caps for Ireland and will be fondly remembered for donning Steve Foster’s headband when he led the team out at Wembley in 1983. It would be a fitting tribute if Albion made it to Wembley this year. If they do, even if people think it’s a Fozzy tribute, I shall wear a headband in honour of the memory of Mr T. Grealish. RIP.
Words: Mark Brailsford