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Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Bromwich Albion *** Official Match Thread ***



Dick Head

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Jan 3, 2010
13,612
Quaxxann
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Brighton v West Brom


PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: The American Express Community Stadium
Date: Saturday 9th September 2017
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Assistants: Peter Kirkup, Sian Massey-Ellis
Fourth official: Andre Marriner



TEAM NEWS


Brighton's Glenn Murray and Tomer Hemed should be fit despite respective ankle and thigh problems, but fellow forwards Izzy Brown and Sam Baldock remain out.

Midfielders Beram Kayal and Steve Sidwell are also absent, but right-back Ezequiel Schelotto may make his debut after joining from Sporting Lisbon.

West Brom welcome back Jonny Evans, who is fit after a hamstring injury.

New signings Grzegorz Krychowiak and Kieran Gibbs are available but both lack match fitness.

Gareth McAuley is back in training after a thigh injury but Saturday's game will come too soon for him to be considered while Hal Robson-Kanu is still suspended.


MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

John Motson: "It is 34 years since Brighton's last top-flight goal and they could become the fourth team to fail to score in their opening four games of a Premier League campaign.

"But, rather surprisingly, none of the previous three (Swansea, Newcastle and Sheffield Wednesday) went on to be relegated.

"Brighton broke their club record transfer fee three times this summer but chairman Tony Bloom admits they were very disappointed to miss out on a striker, with a deadline-day move for Tottenham's Vincent Janssen one of several deals which could not be completed.

"They may find it hard to break down a West Brom side who, despite failing to hang on for victory against Stoke, have made a flying start to the season.

"The signing of Poland midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak, on loan from Paris St-Germain, is also a real coup for the Baggies."


WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Brighton manager Chris Hughton: "Is the lack of goals a worry? At this stage, no, it's so early in the season.

"After the last game against Watford, where we got off the mark with a point, the next challenge is to take that 0-0 draw and turn it into a winning performance, and you can only win if you score goals.

"Once the [transfer] window has closed you probably don't speak about disappointments, you have to be happy with the squad you've got.

"It is common knowledge that we wanted a different type of striker, but we weren't able to and it's important to concentrate on what you've got."

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis on captain Jonny Evans: "He's got to knuckle down to get back into the team and start showing everyone how good a player he is again.

"Although the bottom line is that Man City and Arsenal were interested, they just never met the valuation the football club wanted. If they'd have met the valuation it might have been a different situation.

"I'm pleased that Jonny stayed. He's a very down-to-earth lad, he's very level-headed... I don't think the speculation fazed him."



MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head


  • [*=left]Brighton have never beaten West Brom in the top flight (D5, L3).
    [*=left]The last meeting in the top flight was a goalless draw at Brighton's former home, the Goldstone Ground, in February 1983.

Brighton


  • [*=left]Brighton have failed to score in their opening three Premier League games of the season and have registered just six shots on target.
    [*=left]They could become the fourth team to fail to score in their opening four games of a Premier League campaign.
    [*=left]None of the previous three (Swansea in 2011, Newcastle in 2005 and Sheffield Wednesday in 1993) were relegated that season.
    [*=left]Brighton have never scored fewer than two goals from their opening four matches of a league season.
    [*=left]Including the final three matches of last season, Brighton have failed to score in five of their previous six league games.
    [*=left]Their last top-flight goal was scored by Gordon Smith in a 2-1 defeat at Norwich on 14 May 1983.

West Brom


  • [*=left]West Brom could win back-to-back Premier League away games for the first time in two years - since victories at Stoke and Aston Villa in, respectively, August and September 2015.
    [*=left]The last time they won their opening two away games in a top-flight campaign was in 1953.
    [*=left]The Baggies have won just three of 15 Premier League games against newly-promoted opposition under Tony Pulis (D7, L5).
    [*=left]They have hit 26.4% of their passes long so far this season, the highest figure in the top flight.
    [*=left]West Brom have scored just seven goals in 12 league games since the start of April.
 


Beach Hut

Brighton Bhuna Boy
Jul 5, 2003
71,903
Living In a Box
Yay, we're on our way
 


perseus

Broad Blue & White stripe
Jul 5, 2003
23,454
Sūþseaxna












TSB

Captain Hindsight
Jul 7, 2003
17,666
Lansdowne Place, Hove
703.png
678.png



Brighton v West Brom


PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: The American Express Community Stadium
Date: Saturday 9th September 2017
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Assistants: Peter Kirkup, Sian Massey-Ellis
Fourth official: Andre Marriner



TEAM NEWS


Brighton's Glenn Murray and Tomer Hemed should be fit despite respective ankle and thigh problems, but fellow forwards Izzy Brown and Sam Baldock remain out.

Midfielders Beram Kayal and Steve Sidwell are also absent, but right-back Ezequiel Schelotto may make his debut after joining from Sporting Lisbon.

West Brom welcome back Jonny Evans, who is fit after a hamstring injury.

New signings Grzegorz Krychowiak and Kieran Gibbs are available but both lack match fitness.

Gareth McAuley is back in training after a thigh injury but Saturday's game will come too soon for him to be considered while Hal Robson-Kanu is still suspended.


MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

John Motson: "It is 34 years since Brighton's last top-flight goal and they could become the fourth team to fail to score in their opening four games of a Premier League campaign.

"But, rather surprisingly, none of the previous three (Swansea, Newcastle and Sheffield Wednesday) went on to be relegated.

"Brighton broke their club record transfer fee three times this summer but chairman Tony Bloom admits they were very disappointed to miss out on a striker, with a deadline-day move for Tottenham's Vincent Janssen one of several deals which could not be completed.

"They may find it hard to break down a West Brom side who, despite failing to hang on for victory against Stoke, have made a flying start to the season.

"The signing of Poland midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak, on loan from Paris St-Germain, is also a real coup for the Baggies."


WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Brighton manager Chris Hughton: "Is the lack of goals a worry? At this stage, no, it's so early in the season.

"After the last game against Watford, where we got off the mark with a point, the next challenge is to take that 0-0 draw and turn it into a winning performance, and you can only win if you score goals.

"Once the [transfer] window has closed you probably don't speak about disappointments, you have to be happy with the squad you've got.

"It is common knowledge that we wanted a different type of striker, but we weren't able to and it's important to concentrate on what you've got."

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis on captain Jonny Evans: "He's got to knuckle down to get back into the team and start showing everyone how good a player he is again.

"Although the bottom line is that Man City and Arsenal were interested, they just never met the valuation the football club wanted. If they'd have met the valuation it might have been a different situation.

"I'm pleased that Jonny stayed. He's a very down-to-earth lad, he's very level-headed... I don't think the speculation fazed him."



MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head


  • [*=left]Brighton have never beaten West Brom in the top flight (D5, L3).
    [*=left]The last meeting in the top flight was a goalless draw at Brighton's former home, the Goldstone Ground, in February 1983.

Brighton


  • [*=left]Brighton have failed to score in their opening three Premier League games of the season and have registered just six shots on target.
    [*=left]They could become the fourth team to fail to score in their opening four games of a Premier League campaign.
    [*=left]None of the previous three (Swansea in 2011, Newcastle in 2005 and Sheffield Wednesday in 1993) were relegated that season.
    [*=left]Brighton have never scored fewer than two goals from their opening four matches of a league season.
    [*=left]Including the final three matches of last season, Brighton have failed to score in five of their previous six league games.
    [*=left]Their last top-flight goal was scored by Gordon Smith in a 2-1 defeat at Norwich on 14 May 1983.

West Brom


  • [*=left]West Brom could win back-to-back Premier League away games for the first time in two years - since victories at Stoke and Aston Villa in, respectively, August and September 2015.
    [*=left]The last time they won their opening two away games in a top-flight campaign was in 1953.
    [*=left]The Baggies have won just three of 15 Premier League games against newly-promoted opposition under Tony Pulis (D7, L5).
    [*=left]They have hit 26.4% of their passes long so far this season, the highest figure in the top flight.
    [*=left]West Brom have scored just seven goals in 12 league games since the start of April.

Huge shock.
 




perseus

Broad Blue & White stripe
Jul 5, 2003
23,454
Sūþseaxna
WBA

66.7% passing success this season is worst in Premier League cf. Brighton 78.9% (8th) Away from home WBA passing falls to 55.7%. This means they must be good at winning the ball back!?


Last season WBA were 71.8% passing.

Possession is worst both seasons as well. Around 40%.
 
Last edited:


SweatyMexican

Well-known member
Mar 31, 2013
4,099
Were win
 






Bry Nylon

Test your smoke alarm
Helpful Moderator
Jul 21, 2003
19,780
Playing snooker
WBA

66.7% passing success this season is worst in Premier League cf. Brighton 78.9% (8th) Away from home WBA passing falls to 55.7%. This means they must be good at winning the ball back!?

I reckon a lot of these stats are utterly meaningless at best and misleading at worst. Presumably you could continually stroke the ball across the back 4 without moving a single yard up the pitch and all these would count as 'successful passes'?

The only stat that has any real meaning ahead of this game is that WBA are 5th and unbeaten. West Brom are a very well-drilled, powerful and efficient side and I reckon this will be one of our toughest games of the season.
 








perseus

Broad Blue & White stripe
Jul 5, 2003
23,454
Sūþseaxna
I reckon a lot of these stats are utterly meaningless at best and misleading at worst. Presumably you could continually stroke the ball across the back 4 without moving a single yard up the pitch and all these would count as 'successful passes'?

The only stat that has any real meaning ahead of this game is that WBA are 5th and unbeaten. West Brom are a very well-drilled, powerful and efficient side and I reckon this will be one of our toughest games of the season.

I expect so. Their winning the second balls must be quite high to be in with a chance. They are a big team. Lots (six) of their players have caused trouble before. We need to be strong in midfield, physically. This might influence team selection?
 
Last edited:




The Optimist

Well-known member
NSC Patreon
Apr 6, 2008
2,579
Lewisham
I reckon a lot of these stats are utterly meaningless at best and misleading at worst. Presumably you could continually stroke the ball across the back 4 without moving a single yard up the pitch and all these would count as 'successful passes'?

The only stat that has any real meaning ahead of this game is that WBA are 5th and unbeaten. West Brom are a very well-drilled, powerful and efficient side and I reckon this will be one of our toughest games of the season.

Lies, damned lies and statistics. Without taking into account the difficulty of the pass and the potential benefit of the pass the completed pass percentage is only part of the picture. I don't exactly how it's calculated but the expected goals stat seems interesting. It at least accounts for difficulty in some way unlike shots.
 











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