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Derby v Albion - Play-off action from Pride Park [The Argus]



Newshound

Brighton 8049
Jun 5, 2011
18,358
8:21pm
Don't forget to buy The Argus tomorrow for mulitple pages of news and sport covering Albion's promotion challenge.

7:32pm
Ben James, reporting from Derby,* said Leo Ulloa forced his way through thousands of Derby fans to applaud the away support but was getting slapped and abused.
Ben said: "Ulloa tried to make his way through to the tunnel but was getting slapped and taunted by Derby fans.
"Most of the Derby and Albion players and staff ran for the tunnel. But Ulloa forced his way through to applaud the travelling Brighton fans - despite getting slaps and abuse. He didn't react.
"A minute lader Calderon forced his way through thousands of fans to applaud the away support too.
"Albion fans were singing until the end. A lot of the Derby supporters came to applaud the away end too, which was a nice touch.
Tim Colville, from Tunbridge Wells, 52, said: "It's one of the worst performances I've seen from* a Brighton team. We needed to attack but we didn't.
"We didn't come out to play. We didn't use CMS or Lualua enough. Next year I'd like to see Garcia have more of a say over transfers. At the moment he's playing with Poyet's team."
John Kirkland, from Crawley, 64, said: "The better team won over the two legs. We lacked any real spark. If we had managed to beat them and won the final we would have been stuffed each week in the Premiership, so it's not too bad.
"Oscar Garcia got us into the playoffs in his first year so he deserves credit for that. We need some more players in the summer."
Negumi Yachida, 29, from Japan but now living in London, said: "They didn't play well at all. I think we struggled going forward and when the fourth goal went in I was crying."

7:32pm
Oscar: "They were better than us and we couldn't do anything."

7:30pm
Oscar has just told how proud he is of his players and thanked fans in a brief interview down here in the changing room area.

7:23pm
What needs to change then, Seagulls fans? A bit more quality needed?
Squad depth issues?
More than 60 of you have contributed to some decent discussion in our comments section already.
Let us know what you want to see next for the boys in blue and white.
Here's more reaction from the pubs:

7:17pm
Well done to the thousands of Albion supporters who made the trip up north today.
We could hear you loud and clear on the TV right until the end.
Let us know how your journey back to Sussex is and give us your thoughts on the performance.

7:14pm
Liz Mitchell at The Smugglers posted this picture of glum Albion fans 40 minutes ago.
I wonder how they're feeling now?

7:12pm
From Lisa Meakin at the Hikers Rest pub in Brighton:


7:10pm
Thanks to Brian Owen from the iPro Stadium in Derby.
A bit of an anti-climax in the end, but hard not to agree that Derby deserve their place at Wembley after that second leg performance.
Let's get the reaction from the pubs and Twitter.
Don't forget to buy The Argus tomorrow for comprehensive coverage of the match, opinion and fan reaction.

7:08pm
Fans came on to the pitch, more or less making up ref Pawson's mind for him.
He blew for full-time.
Final: Derby*4 Albion 1

7:04pm
89: Albion fans cheer a crisp low drive into the bottom corner from LUALUA from the edge of the box

7:01pm
88: Derby carve their way through and HENDRICK thumps home the ball as it is cut back into his stride

6:57pm
84: Eustace replaces Hughes.

6:51pm
Derby send on Bamford for Russell.

6:50pm
76: A third for Derby as THORNE shows great technique and volleys home a dropping ball from the end of ther box.

6:46pm
72: Now LuaLua shoots from 25 yards but it is straight at Grant who holds securely.

6:42pm
67: Derby send on Dawkins for Ward.
69: Grant is down to hold an Andrews shot from just outside the box. That is good handling of the wet ball as rain pours down again.

6:35pm
Fans of both sides stood on 56 minutes to applaud in memory of those who died at Valley Parade on May*11, 1985.
Derby fans stayed on their feet as Kuszczak was forced to dive to his left to tip away a J.Ward curler.

6:31pm
55: Tie over surely as deep cross is headed back across goal and*MARTIN closes in to turn it home.
Buckley and Orlandi go off before play restarts, Mackail-Smith and LuaLua replacing them.*

6:29pm
Floodlights piercing the gloom of a grey, Autumnal afternoon in Derby now as home fans sing their side towards Wembley.

6:23pm
48: Some nice build-up play by Orlandi and Ulloa helps Buckley win a free-kick near the corner flag. But Calderon hits the set-piece straight at the first defender and miscues the follow-up cross - and Albion are back on the defensive.

6:18pm
No changes at the interval.
Here we go again....

6:15pm
Most of you in the comments section think this is all over... But down the pub Warren, Peter, Danny, Tom and Jamie are still smiling.

6:12pm
Here's what Derby fans think of it all...

6:10pm
We'll have the second half - and Albion fan Steve's latest comments - up shortly.

6:08pm
Lisa Meakin spoke to optimist Steve in the Hikers Rest earlier... Here's what he had to say 40 minutes ago. I wonder how he's feeling now?

6:07pm
Albion fans: What now? Does Oscar throw the kitchen sink at them? Let us know below.

6:06pm
It's gone from optimism to disappointment across Brighton and Hove after that Hughes goal - which in fairness was a stunner.

6:03pm
44: That man Grant denies Albion again. Lingard chips a ball through to get Ulloa in on goal but the Derby keeper is out quickly to narrow the angle and block his shot at close range. Good chance for Albion.
45+2: Chicksen is booked for a foul.
Half: Derby 1 Albion 0

5:58pm
41: At last a bit of possession for Albion but Ulloa miscues an admittedly difficult volley from Chicksen's cross and the ball slices well wide.
42: Let off for the Seagulls as S.Ward's backpass gives Kuszczak little time to clear as J.Ward closes in. The ball hits Jamie, bounces down into the turf and over the bar.

5:54pm
That goal was coming for Derby. Albion had been pushed back and found it increasingly difficult to relieve the pressure.
It was a subtle touch by Hughes for the goal as a tackle slid in.

5:52pm
33: Kuszczak fists away a corner as the pressure continues.
35: Forsyth slides across a*low cross and HUGHES*diverts it across Kuszczak and inside the far post.

5:49pm
Derby got up quite a head of steam before and after that Dunk booking. The free-kick was put right on to the head of Buxton whose header went neither goalwards nor to a team mate.
Albion were vbeing boxed in and home fans raising their voices again in expectation of the breakthrough.

5:46pm
30: The first man in yellow to see yellow is Dunk for a foul 30 yards out. He slid in and caught Hendrick late so no complaints.

5:44pm
So if you consider the first-choice Albion back four to be this...
BRUNO* GREER*** UPSON**** WARD
..it is quite a change to what it currently looks like:
CALDERON** DUNK* WARD** CHICKSEN

5:42pm
Clearly an injury for Greer, although he was able to walk off quite freely. Chicksen goes on at left-back, Ward is now the left-sided centre-back and Dunk has shifted across one to be right-sided centre-back.

5:40pm
24: Derby go left, get the ball back inside and Forsyth fires a yard or so wide of the near post.
24: Greer goes off, replaced by Chicksen

5:38pm
21: Hughes has looked dangerous. He gets a lucky ricochet and takes advantage to go scampering into the box but Stephen Ward gets across to touch the ball back for Kuszczak to put his right boot through it.
22: The home fans don't like it but Hendrick is booked for a foul on Ince in the centre circle.

5:34pm
17: First shot of note. Neat Derby passing sees them get Wisdom charging down the right. He cuts inside Lingard and drills a low shot which the diving Kuszczak holds at his near post.

5:30pm
Albion have had a spell when they have seen more of the ball but without a threat so far. The closest to that was when Lingard lost his footing trying to burst between a couple of defenders on the edge of the box.

5:27pm
The applause in the last few minutes has been for recovery tackles - another by Ince and then Hughes to nick the ball away from Buckley.
Early sparring.

5:23pm
So at least we should not have Balloongate here this afternoon!
Derby have had most of the ball early on amid a quite literally bouncing atmosphere.
But the sight of Ince making up ground to get in a terrirfic early tackle on Hendrick will have pleased Albion fans.

5:21pm
06: Cross into the Albion area but Martin can only send it away from goal.

5:18pm
03: Ref Craig Pawson calls a half for the dozen or so balloons blowing around the playing surface to be burst.

5:15pm
No change of ends. We are ready to go.

5:15pm
The pitch looks immaculate from here although it could be*wet underfoot*given the amount of rain that has fallen in Derby today.

5:14pm
Albion all in yellow today. Their fans are in one corner of the stadium, that closest to the goal Kuszczak will defend in the first haf barring a change of ends.

5:10pm
Derby fans being encouraged to "raise your scarves" by a messge on the big screen.

5:08pm
Just about ready to welcome the teams here.
I think there is a decent atmosphere bulding below the noise of the music on the PA.
The final moments of the Premier League season were shown live on the big screen in one corner of the ground to indifference around four sides of the iPro Stadium.
This*is what matters for these two clubs and their fans....

5:04pm
Time to leave you with Brian Owen from Derby's iPro Stadium for live text commentary of the game. Kick off is in 10 minutes.

5:00pm
Ben James in Derby said: "Albion fans are finishing off their burgers and chips and trying to get out of the wet and into the stadium. There's a great atmosphere. The most popular chant is Leo Ulloa's Argentina number.
"The last few fans are getting into the stadium now."
Chris Demetriades from Eastbourne said: "I reckon it's going to be tight but I don't think we'll quite have enough. 1-1 and a Leo to score for Brighton"

4:56pm
There are just 20 minutes to go until kick off. Man City have just won the Premier League.
Albion are getting ready for a battle to get there.

4:46pm
Derby star Craig Bryson has a back injury. He underwent a fitness test this*morning and appeared to be fine but stiffened up afterwards and was ruled out of the 18.*
Bryson has been enjoying the best season of his career and has contributed 16 goals and 12 assists in league action. But England under-21 international Will Hughes is a great man to bring in and his presence will help Derby keep the ball.

4:45pm
Argus reporter Ben James at Derby's iPro Stadium said: “With about half an hour to kick off most Albion fans are through the turnstiles now.
"Chants of ‘Albion, Albion!’ are ringing round the concourse. It’s all good natured and there’s banter with the Derby fans. The Albion faithful are sinking a few pre-match pints and pies before kick off.
“There’s lots of checking phones and Twitter with people wanting to know the starting line-ups.”
Ben is with Albion fans in the away end.
Steve Sheps, from Brighton, said: “It’s going to be nervy but I think we can do it. We have to be positive. 1-0 first half and 2-0 normal time will do it.”
Den Shessord, from Brighton, said: “I don’t think we’ll do it. We’re going to lose. We’re not good enough for the Prem and are lacking a bit of quality.”
Dave Simmonds, from Brighton, said: “The pressure is off so I think that will help. All the expectation is with Derby, so I reckon we’ll just sneak it.”

4:35pm
Ben James is with Albion fans at Derby's iPro stadium. One of them thinks CMS should have started.
He's with Stewart Pierce (not THE Stuart Pearce, he confirmed), Jacky Pierce and Jamie Pierce, all from Eastbourne, and Brent Hudson, from Cambridge.
Stuart said: “I think we’re going to sneak it. But we need to attack from the start. I think we should start with CMS. He looked lively on Tuesday and I think he could be key. 2-1 to Albion, then we win on penalties.”
Brent said: “1-0 to Albion after 90 minutes and then we lose on penalties.
"Kuszczak is a great keeper but he’s not good with penalties.”
Jamie said: “I think we’ll do it 2-0 in normal time.”
Jacky said: “I think it will be the same against Notts Forrest. We’ll do it in the last minute.”

4:32pm
So, taking another look at the team... Has Oscar made the right call?
***************** KUSZCZAK
CALDERON*** GREER** DUNK** WARD
******************** ANDREWS
******* INCE******************* ORLANDI
BUCKLEY****** ULLOA********** LINGARD

4:27pm
Rohan Lowe from Brighton is in a confident mood.
He's e-mailed to say: "The score will be 3-0 to the Albion. Come on seagulls!"

4:20pm
****************** KUSZCZAK
CALDERON*** GREER** DUNK** WARD
******************** ANDREWS
******* INCE******************* ORLANDI
BUCKLEY****** ULLOA********** LINGARD

4:19pm
Dunk in for Upson, Ince returns with Forster-Caskey dropped to bench. Buckley passed fit.

4:17pm
Bryson ruled out for Derby so Will Hughes starts

4:15pm
Liz Mitchell has been speaking to fans at the Hikers Rest in Coldean Lane.
Rita Hawkins 48, from Moulsecoomb said: "I am feeling really good, I hope they win. I have always supported them and my daughter has been playing for* Brighton Ladies since she was six."
Hollie Cooper, 23, from Moulsecoomb said: "They have got to win, I am feeling very positive."
3019410.jpg


4:13pm
Team news imminent.

4:10pm
Plenty of you have voted on our online poll regarding what will happen today. 33% tip Derby to win on the day and 17% predict a draw, which would*also send*the Rams through.
However 26% back Albion to take it to penalties and 24% say they will win on aggregate.
The poll remains open up until kick-off so add your vote here.

4:08pm
theargus.co.uk web user Conelli98 reckons today is not Albion's day.
What do you think? Get involved below.

3:52pm
Ben James reporting from the iPro Stadium said: "Albion fans have been arriving in dribs and drabs here. It's a buoyant and confident atmosphere ahead of the 5.15 kick off and there's about 60-odd in blue and white sitting on the terrace of Frankie and Bennys poking fun at Derby supporters as they walk past.
"It's all good humoured though and the rain isn't failing to dampen anyone's spirits.
"Some fans are huddled around radios listening to the final day's action of the Premier League."

3:41pm
Who should start? Let us know.

3:40pm
Chelsea and Liverpool a goal down. Albion fans probably don't care too much right now where the Premier League title is heading.

3:34pm
The most read story on our website today is the one asking you for your thoughts on Albion's team selection.
Many thanks for your enthusiastic input. There certainly seems to be a groundswell of support for Craig Mackail-Smith to start, even if he does not see out the full game.
Backing too for the idea of Lewis Dunk to come in alongside Gordon Greer in defence.

3:30pm
From the Goldstone days to sharing a ground with Gillingham - Albion will be in dreamland if they can make it to the Premier League.
The last time the Seagulls made an appearance at Wembley was in 1991, when they faced Notts County in the Second Division playoff final.
They lost 3-1 that day.

3:29pm
Former Derby and Albion striker Dean Saunders is among the gathering throng here in the press room. I don't actually know what his role is here today but he is dressed like a man who will shortly be appearing live on TV.

3:27pm
Derby go into today's game chasing a sixth successive home win. They started that run with the 5-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest which was followed by the dismissal of Forest boss Billy Davies.
The Rams*subsequenly saw off Charlton, Huddersfield, Barnsley and Watford.
They lost three times here under Nigel Clough early in the season.
Wigan and Millwall have won here at the iPro since Steve McClaren took charge of the Rams at the start of October.

3:22pm
The Albion faithful who couldn't make the trip to Derby are taking their places in pubs across the city.
We'll be bringing you fan pictures and reaction from The Smugglers in Ship Street, Brighton, shortly.

3:13pm
The general opinion from the first leg is that Derby were relatively lucky to have left Falmer with a win.
Albion started brightly at The Amex, with Man Utd loanee Jesse Lingard firing past Lee Grant from inside the box to put Brighton ahead.
Derby's Chris Martin levelled from the spot after Matthew Upson fouled Craig Forsyth before they went in front when Martin's strike rattled the crossbar and bounced in off Kuszczak.
Will Lady Luck grace the Seagulls today instead? Let us know what you think - and your predicted scores -by e-mailing ben.leo@theargus.co.uk or commenting below.

3:11pm
Brian Owen here checking in from the press box. It's a wet and cold afternoon in Derby and they are currently showing Man City on the big screen, albeit to an almost empty stadium.
The nation's football attention switches here to the iPro Stadium once the Premier season is over.

3:10pm
No pain, no gain Thomas

3:08pm
Our reporter Ben James is gearing up for a wet 90 minutes in the away end at Pride Park.
On the other hand, our football correspondent Brian Owen is currently enjoying the warmth and comfort of Derby's press zone.

3:06pm
Let's hope the 3,000 Albion fans in the away end are singing in the rain later this evening.

3:04pm
Send in your pictures, videos and comments ahead of today's crunch match by e-mailing ben.leo@theargus.co.uk, tweeting them to [MENTION=3975]ben[/MENTION]leo89 or leaving details in the comments section below.

2:53pm
Good afternoon football followers, fans and die-hards.
Welcome to The Argus live blog of Brighton and Hove Albion's second leg play-off semi-final clash with Derby County, live from Pride Park.
It's Albion's biggest game of the season this afternoon as the club tries to overcome a 2-1 first-leg home defeat in an attempt to make it to the play-off final at Wembley.
The boys in blue and white know what they have to do come kick off at 5.15 - and we'll be bringing you pre-match action, team news and live text commentary from 3pm.
Thousands of Albion fans have made the trip to the Midlands up the M1 for what could be one of the greatest days of their footballing lives.
By all means, the Seagulls are not out of this tie and have it all to play for today.
We will have team news about an hour before the game gets under way, then bulletins from the contest between sixth and third-placed teams in the Championship.
There will also be additional content on the Albion section of our website.
And you will have no shortage of opportunity to have your say.
Today's action is brought to you by reporters Ben James and Brian Owen at Derby's Pride Park, Ben Leo at The Argus HQ in Hollingbury and reporters Liz Mitchell and Lisa Meakin from Hiker's Rest and The Smugglers pubs.


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