Latest Seagulls: Mark Brailsford on Ince, Barnes & injuries
Anyone having a glance at the league table this week could be forgiven for pinching themselves. Albion sit (at the time of writing) just outside the top ten, a position that most supporters of the rational kind may find surprising. Is it too pessimistic to presume that Albion, under a new coach finding his way and with a shocker of an injury list, really should be looking at the bottom half of the table rather than the top? As a rather tempestuous autumn settles into the teeth-chattering chill of winter, the lack of Albion home games has felt rather strange. The international break always leaves a gaping hole the size of an England back four in the lives of most fans, with nowhere near enough Saturday home matches to rescue the faithful from being dragged round Churchill Square of an afternoon. Seagulls fans have been on starvation rations if they couldn’t attend an away game. As if that wasn’t bad enough, throw in the vagaries of the football league’s algorithmic ablutions mixed with good old Sky Sports and hey presto, we end up with only two 3pm Saturday kick-offs between Bonfire Night and the annual bout of relative juggling.
But worry not, this could be a blessing in disguise. With the treatment room now starting to reduce its reliance on the roped off queuing system, players returning from long-term injuries have given the impression that a rash of new signings have arrived at the club. With Bridcutt already back, Orlandi close to starting along with Ulloa starting to run in training, the signs are all there for a lip-smacking push for the play-offs, especially when Buckley and Lua Lua come back from their respective injuries. And I haven’t even mentioned Craig Mackail-Smith. Some caution may be called for when these players gradually come back into first team contention. Their much yearned for return can have a detrimental effect if they are brought back too quickly; match sharpness is not the same as fitness. In addition, is it fair to those players that have done so well recently that they should be cast out as soon as the injured players are fit to return? The upcoming competition for places can only be a good thing.
Ashley Barnes in particular has done a great job filling in up front, so much so that he has kept new signing, and England U21 player, Leroy Lita on the bench since his arrival. Crofts and the Pole in Goal have been excellent too, as has Jake Forster-Caskey. But the plaudits must surely go to the marvellous Rohan Ince. He has been fantastic in the midfield role which is the sharp end of some of the Championship’s toughest battles. His physical presence and decision making, enough to keep someone with the work rate and experience of Andrews on the bench, belies his tender age. An embarrassment of riches lies at the fingertips of the cool, calm and collected Oscar Garcia, who has managed this tough run of games with aplomb. And to add to the general air of well being, Palace have just appointed Tony Pulis as their manager. For Albion fans, perhaps Christmas has come early!
Open season on Palace
Rather enjoyably, it’s open season on Palace at the moment and their shenanigans usually get a mention or two in The Treason Show, as some of you know. But I must share this one gag with you all, which appeared in our recent show: “The Treason Show understands that in a desperate bid for some points, Crystal Palace have offered Chris Huhne the job of driving the teamcoach!” Take a bow Martin Welsh, who happens to be a Saints fan!
