17 September 2012 11:11 AM
Monday's talking point: Seagulls ruling the skies
By Martin Domin
I doubt seagulls and owls ever fight it out in nature.
As one wreaks havoc with their piercing cackle and chip-stealing ways, the other is resting after a busy night hunting.
And if they two were to meet, I imagine the end result would be far less bloody than it was at the Amex Stadium on Friday night.
Flying high: Brighton celebrate during their win over Sheffield Wednesday
Goals from Wayne Bridge, Craig Mackail-Smith and Will Buckley sent the home team temporarily top of the Championship in front of a record crowd of 26,594.
High expectations have circled Gus Poyet's Brighton side since they won promotion to the second tier like the aforementioned owl stalking its prey. After flirting with the play-off spots last season, the newly-promoted club finished 10th, nine points outside the top six.
And while we may only be half a dozen games into this campaign, it is hard to imagine Poyet's men won't be there or thereabouts come May. Any side that can start with Stephen Dobbie, Lewis Dunk and Inigo Calderon on the bench is clearly not lacking in depth and Brighton have made some astute signings over the summer.
Main man: Craig Mackail-Smith has hit the ground running in front of goal this season
Bridge offers terrific experience at left back and has already weighed in with two goals having not previously scored since finding the net for Chelsea against Wycombe almost six years ago. Poyet's Spanish connections have served him well in England and the arrival of Bruno Saltor from Valencia has proved to be no exception. The right back terrorised the Wednesday defence on Friday, setting up two of his side's three goals.
Add to that the ever dangerous Mackail-Smith who has bounced back well following a difficult end to last season, the solid and dependable Gordon Greer and Adam El-Abd in defence and Brighton look comfortable in every area.
Consecutive away games against Watford and Millwall should see Poyet's men continue among the pacesetters. And come the first 'derby' against Crystal Palace, you can back the Seagulls to rule the roost against the Eagles as well.
Monday's talking point: Seagulls ruling the skies
By Martin Domin
I doubt seagulls and owls ever fight it out in nature.
As one wreaks havoc with their piercing cackle and chip-stealing ways, the other is resting after a busy night hunting.
And if they two were to meet, I imagine the end result would be far less bloody than it was at the Amex Stadium on Friday night.
Flying high: Brighton celebrate during their win over Sheffield Wednesday
Goals from Wayne Bridge, Craig Mackail-Smith and Will Buckley sent the home team temporarily top of the Championship in front of a record crowd of 26,594.
High expectations have circled Gus Poyet's Brighton side since they won promotion to the second tier like the aforementioned owl stalking its prey. After flirting with the play-off spots last season, the newly-promoted club finished 10th, nine points outside the top six.
And while we may only be half a dozen games into this campaign, it is hard to imagine Poyet's men won't be there or thereabouts come May. Any side that can start with Stephen Dobbie, Lewis Dunk and Inigo Calderon on the bench is clearly not lacking in depth and Brighton have made some astute signings over the summer.
Main man: Craig Mackail-Smith has hit the ground running in front of goal this season
Bridge offers terrific experience at left back and has already weighed in with two goals having not previously scored since finding the net for Chelsea against Wycombe almost six years ago. Poyet's Spanish connections have served him well in England and the arrival of Bruno Saltor from Valencia has proved to be no exception. The right back terrorised the Wednesday defence on Friday, setting up two of his side's three goals.
Add to that the ever dangerous Mackail-Smith who has bounced back well following a difficult end to last season, the solid and dependable Gordon Greer and Adam El-Abd in defence and Brighton look comfortable in every area.
Consecutive away games against Watford and Millwall should see Poyet's men continue among the pacesetters. And come the first 'derby' against Crystal Palace, you can back the Seagulls to rule the roost against the Eagles as well.
