BHAFC: THE NORTH STAND

The following was posted in a Brighton and Hove Albion supporters' group on Facebook and sent to us as their fans thought we'd be interested in hearing their thoughts.

They’ve been a breath of fresh air this season compared to most promoted teams. Spent well (and needed to), defensively very solid and Xhaka should probably be on the list of Player of the Year candidates (but won’t be because he plays for Sunderland and that would never do).

Even when they were at their best earlier in the season, they were a relatively low scoring side so it feels inevitable that would catch up with them a bit in the end. When the 4th official put up 8 minutes on the board there was a collective intake of breath from us but they created nothing at all in that added time other than wasting two free kicks that we gifted them. Their right winger had the freedom of the SoL in the first half but all his crosses were appalling, so that didn’t help.

I also think they’ve exceeded expectations and effectively made themselves safe already so it’s no surprise if their injury list and current form feels a bit flat. As for the crowd noise... they were playing Brighton & Hove Albion at home and their next match is against the hated Mags... hardly a surprise that it wasn’t a red hot cauldron of atmosphere on the day.

I say fair play to them for what they’ve achieved this year - the challenge now will be to find a goalscorer to keep them winning games next season. I really liked it as an away trip... proper football town (city!) with smashing people. As for the game: it screamed of two teams who knew they were already safe, I thought we were marginally better than them on the day but if they’d gone and nicked it, we probably couldn’t have had too many complaints.