Sport: Mark Brailsford hears Wembley calling

Oh my days! Albion in the play-offs? Who’d have thought it? Well, what to do now? Do we optimistically go into the semi-final, hoping for a day out at Wembley? Or shall we engage glass half empty mode and brace ourselves for semi-final disappointment? It will all depend on who Albion meet in the play-offs and crucially, Albion’s injury and suspension list. After his sending off at Leeds, Inigo Calderon should be back which will be a relief for Gus Poyet, as Bruno looks like he will miss what’s left of the season after pulling up injured at Elland Road. As predicted, Leeds maintained their “dirty Leeds” reputation with aplomb in a tempestuous match with three red cards and vendettas being carried out all over the pitch.

However, the teams that go on to do well in the play-offs need momentum and form, Albion showed both and had the guts to finish off the game with a sensational winner from Leo Ulloa. A great performance like that can only instil confidence in the team as they contemplate a semi final against either Crystal Palace, Bolton or Nottingham Forest. At the time of writing, this line-up could change with the delightful possibility that Palace could find themselves dumped out of the top six just when it matters.

“My money is on an appearance at Wembley 30 years after Albion first appeared there in the FA Cup Final”

How to judge the season if Albion do lose the semi-final? There would be a lingering sense of ‘what might have been’ but after the event, consolation will be found in two vital achievements. Firstly making the play-offs in the first place will be seen as tremendous progress, with much promise of going the whole hog next season. Secondly, and most deliciously, beating Palace and finishing above them in the table. Whatever the consolations of this philosophy, this columnist’s money is on an appearance at Wembley 30 years after Albion first appeared there in the FA Cup Final. How apt? The opposition on the day may be as good a team or better than Albion, but in a one off game at Wembley, anything can happen and will. The greatest day in Albion’s history was obviously Hereford in ’97 probably followed by the first game at The Amex, all arguably, as every fan has their favourite moments. But this game has the potential to match anything that went before, if, and this is a very big if, Albion do make the final. At this rate, only a fool would bet against Albion’s momentum carrying them all the way to the Premier League.

Albion’s play-off rivals
The other semi-final is likely to feature Watford, sorry Udinese B, unless Hull slip up, versus Palace, Bolton or Forest. Bolton will also be a hot tip to go all the way . But of all the teams to face, if Albion successfully negotiate the semi final, then for the very obvious reasons, it just has to be Palace in the final.

Want To Work In Construction
Twenty-two new apprenticeships in the construction industry have been offered to local job seekers and students who took part in a groundbreaking training programme at the Amex Stadium last month.

The Want to Work in Construction initiative, a partnership between Albion In The Community (AITC), City College and local construction companies, saw a number of industry experts from the private and public sector deliver workshops, presentations and site visits to some of the city’s key development projects.

The participants were joined on the final day of the event by local MPs Caroline Lucas and Mike Weatherley as they used their learning from the programme to create and present ideas for the development of the King Alfred Centre in Hove, one of city’s key proposed development sites.

The attendees took part in over 20 sessions throughout the week which covered all aspects of working in the construction industry from design and architecture to structural and civil engineering through to sustainability and ecology. They also heard from experts who worked on the Olympic Park project and were given a tour of the Amex Stadium, voted the world’s best new sporting venue in 2011, by Martin Perry, Executive Director of Brighton & Hove Albion.

The turnaround
Let the big ticket scramble commence. Suddenly Albion’s plush new home in Falmer doesn’t look like it’s big enough, who’d have thought that? Even with a near 30,000 capacity there will be thousands of disappointed Albion fans unable to get tickets for the semi-final. If Albion win that semi-final, then it looks like the Wembley allocation will be around 40,000 for each team. Even at this number, it would not be a surprise to see Albion take their full allocation. Imagine that? 40,000 Albion fans cheering on the Albion at Wembley. What a fantastic thought. IF. That’s a very small word loaded with huge meaning.
So, let’s leave talk of Wembley aside for the time being and concentrate on the semi-final, for it is now the most important game of Albion’s season so far. Will Gus be happy to play the same way he has all season or take a more conservative approach? Arguably, his more attacking line-ups of the past two months have shown the way. With so many draws up to February, Gus took a conscious decision to be more attacking. The dropped points at Birmingham in January appeared to have been a turning point. After Tomasz Kuszczak dropped the ball for the Birmingham equaliser in the dying minutes, you could see not only the Pole in Goal’s confidence take a hit but the whole team. It was one draw too far. Then the turnaround began.

Matthew Upson joined at the end of that month and what a signing he has been this season. Kuszczak, determined to atone for his error at St Andrews, was absolutely brilliant in the following games and has maintained that form into the play-offs. The crucial difference has also been seen up front with the signing of That Man From Argentina. Leo Ulloa was the striker that everyone from Poyet to the fans all knew the team needed and he has been nothing short of brilliant. Spanish Dave and Orlandi also deserve a mention in dispatches, as does the excellent Wayne Bridge, not to mention Bridcutt, Buckley and Lua Lua. In fact the whole team have, in turn, weighed in with goals, performances and this without mentioning The Dagger. The stage is now set for Vicente, Wembley awaits. Get ready for the next twist in the rollercoaster that is being a fan of the great Brighton and Hove Albion.
Words: Mark Brailsford