Mark Brailsford ponders what The Albion will do next

As the blessed relief of a summer day begins to cleanse the long-suffering Albion fan of the residue of another mad season, it’s a good time to pause and reflect upon the season’s denouement. Anyone who went to Derby for the disappointing second leg of the play-offs quickly became resigned to the outcome. It was clear that Derby are a team on the up and they fully deserve promotion – more so than QPR who might be seen to have bought their way back to the Premier League if they win the final.

The euphoria of the last-minute goal by that man from Argentina at Nottingham Forest gave way to the traditional Albion sangfroid once it became clear that Oscar Garcia had resigned. Oscar did a great job considering the injuries and transfer issues, but it was clear that he had similar difficulties with the system as Gus Poyet, although he handled it with much more dignity. So what is wrong at The Albion that two seemingly apposite characters have been unable to work within the current structure? Yes, FFP seems to be a factor and rightly so; if there is one club who know the perils of flirting with disaster it is The Albion. However, player recruitment seems to be an issue as well.

“A rollercoaster ride to the play offs, against all the odds”

So what are the positives? Look at the development of the young stars of the future: the emergence of Rohan Ince has been magnificent, he is a fantastic player already and can only get better. Jake Forster Caskey will hopefully learn from this tough breakthrough season, he is too talented to fade away. Solly March has been very exciting and Lewis Dunk looks nailed on to be captain one day. The club’s first-class training ground will help prepare the squad and lead to a much improved youth development programme, but it may take some time to yield the fruits that fans crave now.

But most of all, fans will yearn for an inspiring managerial appointment. Someone who is appointed quickly so the pre-season isn’t lost like last year – and someone who will make the team play more vibrantly. The appeal of tippy toe football is on the wane these days and to get out of the Championship Albion needs a more menacing, energetic style of play than it has shown of late.

So who will be the next coach or manager? The favourite (at the time of writing) may be Tim Sherwood. Paul Clement is my bet, thanks to his top-level coaching experience in La Liga, but Sherwood would be an interesting choice if he rejects the Premier League options he undoubtedly has. Whoever it is, can they be persuaded to give the much-loved Inigo Calderon a start in coaching, surely a future Albion manager in the making?

It was the best of seasons it was the worst of seasons, all rolled into one rollercoaster ride to the play offs, against all odds too. So, a typical season in the life of a Brighton and Hove Albion fan. But maybe we’ll get some exciting signings once a new man is installed at the helm of the training ground. Hopefully the club can stabilise as a top ten Championship team, capable of a good cup run or two and, essentially, playing a more exciting brand of football.

Life in the Championship is pretty good, it certainly beats being walloped in a mad scramble to secure fourth from bottom of a seemingly rigged Premier League. And think of those fabulous away games at a lot of London clubs such as Fulham et al. One day, Albion will return to the top flight, but let’s be ready for it. Above all, if and when (surely when?) Albion gain promotion, please can we do it automatically? We’ve all had enough of the play-offs thank you very much.