Its going to be tough but Saints can become the first side to win at the Withdean this season.

Of course it wont be easy given Saints injury woes, but this is the time that heroes emerge and Saints have a few in waiting.

The first thing to look at though is Brighton's home record itself, there is no denying its good, 17 wins and only 4 draws is outstanding at any level, likewise 51 goals for and only 17 against is again superb and an exact average of a 3-1 scoreline per game, but Saints isnt that far removed, the 4 draws are identical the only difference is that we have lost 3 games and won only 14, yes we have scored only 39 goals but conceded only 12.

But perhaps the real clue as to whether this home record can be dented lies in the games brighton have played at home, their last two home fixtures are gainst the two teams directly behind them, ourselves and Huddersfield, so their biggest tests are yet to come.

That is perhaps reflected in the results against the top teams in the division, of the top 7 clubs, as we have said they have yet to play two and of the other four, Bournemouth & Rochdale both got scoring draws whilst MK Dons lost 2-0 and Peterborough 3-1, MK Dons could clain that as the game was back in September they were yet to find the form that lifted them into the play offs.

So the message is clear, whilst undoubtably Brighton are a very good home side, when they have been tested by some of the higher sides in the division they can be found wanting a little.

The race for second place will ultimately see Brighton have a big say in it and with that in mind i would say Saints are better going there before Huddersfield, in some respects its a big advantage, if we go there and win then tobe frank it will be a big boost and we almost wouldnt care what happened when the yorkshire side visit on the penultimate weekend, however if we dont win there then Brighton will play them desperately wanting to keep that unbeaten record intact.

Now they have won the title the big question is whether they will take their footof the gas ?  Under normal circumstances i would say yes, but I think that they are now focussed on keeping that unbeaten league record intact and this could work against them a little, especially if the game is heading for a draw and we push in the final minutes, this is the time when nerves do start to kick in and when team are vunerable and i would say our game plan should be to make sure we are still in the game as it goes into its last ten minutes.

But one myth to debunk is the fact that Brighton havent been beaten at the Withdean, they have Leyton Orient beat them 2-0 in the JPT back in September so whatever the results in their final two games it wont be a completely 100% unbeaten season at home. 

Photo: Action Images

geezershoong added 10:20 - Apr 19 5 players in the PFA L1 team of the year... will we see an article? Or not considering K Davies & D Harding are in it...?
0

SeafordSaint added 10:47 - Apr 19 Nick, I see the game at the Withdean as a very tricky fixture for us. I hope I am wrong and that Saints come away with three points on Saturday. The problem for me is which Saints team is going to turn up. Will it be the Tranmere away, Rochdale away or the Brentford home team? Or will it be the Oldham away team? The other issue for me is NA previously saying, 'can Brighton keep up with us?' and, 'we will win the league.' If I were in Poyet's shoes I would be reminding my players of these words and using them for motivational purposes before kick-off on Saturday. Albion are undefeated at home in the league this season. However, unbeaten records are there to be broken. I would love it if Saints win on Saturday - I mean really really love it; but I fear that it may not be easy for us. For me, it's all about which Saints team will turn up on the day. Regards. SfS.

0

SaintNick added 11:30 - Apr 19 With regard to the PFA team, far more respected people than me have mentioned what a farce this team was given we have had five players in it and brighton who have romped the league have only 3, do i really want to highlight this fact. On a serious note how good a barometer is this of the best players in League 1, if you take the premier players will see opposition players week in week out on TV, in league 1 our opponents will see nothing apart from when we play them so how do they know how well our players have played or otherwise. Congratulations to you to be able to have a little dig at me regarding harding or Davis, personally what i care about is getting points and getting promotion and these two have made enough errors for an entire team, if we fail to go up automatically how we will rue those errors against Plymouth, Tranmere, Carlisle, Brentford, Peterborough, Rochdale, all of which have cost us points that we could well do with now, never mind perhaps we can have an open top bus tour of the city with them showing their certificates.

0

geezershoong added 11:47 - Apr 19 Wasn't meant to be a dig as such but a nerve has definitely been hit.
0

rjh added 13:12 - Apr 19 I think we can win on Saturday, dead right about the errors away from home costing us dear.
0

SaintNick added 16:51 - Apr 19 No nerves hit, I just dont think that the PFA League 1 team is a great achievment , certainly when i have mentioned it in the past regarding Richardson & Dickson its seemed to have ment nothing. As I said how can a player be judged on two sightings a year from the oposition players
0

eusebio added 17:06 - Apr 19 PFA might mean sod all to the average fan but it must mean something to a player to be recognised by his fellow professionals. Well done to those who were picked and especially well done to Gareth Bale. Score draw versus BHA
0

bstokesaint added 17:22 - Apr 19 For once I agree with eusebio. Any player getting voted by his fellow professionals deserves any accolades. I also think it highlights the fact that Brighton play an effective game as a team unit, as opposed to an attractive game with more flair individuals. I see no reason why we shouldn't beat them. They've certainly leaked a few in recent weeks. We just need to stop being so nervous and believe it.

0

Gully added 21:13 - Apr 19 As i've pointed out so many times before and that a season is played over 46 games and not a couple. Our record speaks for it'self. I dismiss any views from Saints fans basing there views on one match in our style. I take great pride in reading other managers comments on both clubs. Time and time again i've read how well we pass the ball and that we are the best footballing team in this divison(Happy to provide links) I've also read comments from other managers and your very own manager that you play direct football. This espcially seems the case when you start to panic and are chasing a game.I even remember reading a comment from Nigel about getting the ball forawrd quickly as there wasn't time for tip tappy football. Lambert thrives on balls being pumped up to him.You simply cannot get away from that fact. As for the comment about us leaking goals,again i take it the poster has no idea that our PFA captain and defender has been suspended for the last few games? I'm sure he justsjust looks at results on a saturday afternoon without giving it much thought, As for saturday i really not that fussed as our season is pretty much over.Be nice to top a 100pts though.

0

scotty added 23:10 - Apr 19 Cant see us getting more than a draw at best tbh. Brightons fans seem to have some sort of fixation about us, dont really know why, but they will be well up for the game regardless of their promotion. Theyve proved that they are the best side in the division so far, you cant argue with their results or position. Would be delighted to be proved wrong
0

bstokesaint added 07:26 - Apr 20 Sounds like another south coast team who need a rival to get all excited about. Maybe playing Crawley town isn't the derby it used to be..
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Manchester City Polls