Just back from Colchester...

[siclean]

i was going to the notts county match with my lad, but after watching that shite on sky today i wont bother wasting my hard earned money, i mean, we didnt want to know today, utterly dreadful, we should of pissed that game, colchester had one lucky ball gifted to em and scored... the whole match was dire, and painful to watch...

 

[Washboard Didgets]

The steward falling over woke us all up and that helped get the singing going again. Which in turn seemed to really lift the team and led to the passage of play resulting in our goal.

So thanks to the steward, for the assist. Close call for MOM award after Nooney!

 

[fire&skill]

It was pretty much a second-string team, much like the early FA cup side that struggled a bit; that and nothing really to play for - thought we did pretty well all things considered.

Ain't it nice being champeenes already

 

[robinsonsgrin]

best part of the tv coverage.. the very beginning... although it was only the back of my nephew's shirt...yey!!!!

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

I appreciate most of you probably saw the match on Sky, but here is my insight into how the game went:

First of all, to all the fans who were saying it is a rubbish away day, I have no idea what you were talking about. I had a thoroughly enjoyable experience that was only spoiled by the mostly lacklustre game.

The stadium:
Ok it's not the best of stadiums, but it's certainly not the worst I've been to this year. A good atmosphere can be created at times.

The pie: A fairly good balti pie, not the best I've ever had, but did the job.

The fans:
Brighton - our fans were very noisy to start off with, but as the first half went on, we went very quiet, perhaps in frustration to how the game was going. Picked up again in the second half, and got behind the team to lift them to score a goal.
Colchester - some of the friendliest, most welcoming fans I've chatted to. The ones I spoke to were very complimentary of our season, our setup and the Amex, and one of them even voluntarily showed me to the bar and to the away turnstiles. During the game, there was a very poor turnout from them and they weren't particularly lively. Perhaps expected for a mid-table team on a bank holiday monday.


All in all, a good away day that was slightly tarnished by a distinctly average performance by Brighton. Will definitely go again if we get the chance in the future.

I haven't read your match comments, but what you said about the Colchester set-up and the stadium were spot-on. I had a very enjoyable day, and none of the horror stories others have posted on here in the past about the stewards, who were some of the most friendly I have encountered (in fact I think only Rochdale might have bettered them, and that would be marginal), let you sit where you wanted; I had a ticket for Row P right on the far side by the West Stand, and knew I would be forced to stand if I went there, but the steward himself said don't worry about your ticket, sit where you want, so I went down the front and was able to sit all game, and they didn't make a fuss with those who did stand as far as I could see. Very tasty steak and kidney pie too; I gather the balti ones were rather strong. Only complaint was I was put off buying water by the price: £1.90 for something we pay a few pence for from a tap, nearly as expensive as the Oval or Lord's. Otherwise, absolutely fine, and if they filled in the corners and replaced that rather cheap cladding on the back of the stands it would be a fine lower league ground.

As for the game, bit of a post-season friendly really, with Colchester definitely more up for it than us, certainly in the first half. Gus must have given the team quite a rollocking at half-time, as they were considerably better in the second half.

 

[Blackadder]

i was going to the notts county match with my lad, but after watching that shite on sky today i wont bother wasting my hard earned money, i mean, we didnt want to know today, utterly dreadful, we should of pissed that game, colchester had one lucky ball gifted to em and scored... the whole match was dire, and painful to watch...

Fair enough. See ya!

 

[Mr Burns]

I thought Navarro looked like he was going to just slot back in come next year - his vision is still there if not the execution right now but that will come with match awareness and fitness. Nearly a year since his last proper start, he's bound to be a bit rusty!

Painter, for me, was one of the better players today. His attacks were good, he had good tracking. Noone was class too. Wood wasn't that bad, Barnes had good movement and a well taken goal. I thought Brez was class. Very well played to make the saves when called for despite not playing for such a long time.

Hopefully we can agree on one thing, that although Gus is probably going to have a shopping list this summer longer than many would imagine, he definately won't be shopping for a new goalkeeper!!

I think Gus wants to see as much as Navarro as he can before offering a contract, but with Bridcutt amergeance, I can see Navarro struggling to get a new deal for next season

 

[Mr Burns]

i was going to the notts county match with my lad, but after watching that shite on sky today i wont bother wasting my hard earned money, i mean, we didnt want to know today, utterly dreadful, we should of pissed that game, colchester had one lucky ball gifted to em and scored... the whole match was dire, and painful to watch...

This is why newbies should have there own section to practice in!!

 

[Safeway]

i was going to the notts county match with my lad, but after watching that shite on sky today i wont bother wasting my hard earned money, i mean, we didnt want to know today, utterly dreadful, we should of pissed that game, colchester had one lucky ball gifted to em and scored... the whole match was dire, and painful to watch...

That's one less NAUSE at Notts County then.

 

[Bigtomfu]

We must have been at different games. In the game I was at Wood was absolutely woeful.

Agree about Wood today. At least four times I saw him point to where he wanted the ball, watched the passes get delivered only to not bother moving into the space to receive it. Seemed utterly pedestrian and a bit headless at times.

Perhaps the heat got to him and his clearly more suited to Rugby frame couldn't run around like a whippet in the 23/24+ heat.

 

[Rookie]

i was going to the notts county match with my lad, but after watching that shite on sky today i wont bother wasting my hard earned money, i mean, we didnt want to know today, utterly dreadful, we should of pissed that game, colchester had one lucky ball gifted to em and scored... the whole match was dire, and painful to watch...

Oh well sure someone will take you place at the end of season promotion party

 

[patchamalbion]

how many did we take then??

 

[Bigtomfu]

how many did we take then??

Given that the initial allocation was 1900 odd and there was one entire block empty I would say at least 1500+.

 

[ElkieB]

Thought we lacked Leadership today more than anything. Calde was poor defensively and does not command the back four & playing Elphick & Dunk together was always a risk as they both need an experienced talker with them.

Thought Navs had a fair game, considering the length of absence but he does not set the tone or pace of a game in the same way that Bridcutt can. IMO Gus made no second half changes to give the 11 a chance to redeem their first half performance. Wood did have a poor game, nothing stuck as it should to a Target man, would have liked to have seen OGH on for a swansong, with his effort and energy may have nicked something against an average Colchester side.

Finally Kemal Izzett is very annoying and should have been booked and for me Bennetts tackle looked like it got the ball but I did not have the benefit of Sky replays so may be wrong.

Good day out as are all awaydays

 

[Mendoza]

i was going to the notts county match with my lad, but after watching that shite on sky today i wont bother wasting my hard earned money, i mean, we didnt want to know today, utterly dreadful, we should of pissed that game, colchester had one lucky ball gifted to em and scored... the whole match was dire, and painful to watch...

you think today was bad, Notts County will be worse, the players are going on a trip abroad that week

 

[KneeOn]

Hopefully we can agree on one thing, that although Gus is probably going to have a shopping list this summer longer than many would imagine, he definately won't be shopping for a new goalkeeper!!

I think Gus wants to see as much as Navarro as he can before offering a contract, but with Bridcutt amergeance, I can see Navarro struggling to get a new deal for next season

The best bit about Brez wasn't his saves. Ankergren and him are both class shot stoppers (Ankergrens saves vs Southampton and Brez's today were superb) and there is no denying that. Its not even that he caught almost every ball. Brez today slotted in to the STYLE. his role as sweeper keeper was one that before, a hoof would do the trick however when he went to kick the ball while being closed down and then lets it go off - the way he looked for the pass. Sure he isn't as comfortable on the ball as Ankergren but he still did the job despite the scares. A very worth understudy indeed.

 

[KneeOn]

Oh, and the stadium, i really liked it. Everyone on here went on about how shit it is - actually its nice. Its a football stadium. Seats, bogs, bars and a nice turf. Location wise its not that good but its not shit either. easy to get to, nice lay out. It isn't Falmer but Falmer by our and everyones admission is soemthing special and is having shit tones of money thrown at it.

This isn't even "for a little ground" or "a nice stadium for a small team". Its a nice stadium. Well staffed and yeah, it hasn't got "character" like older grounds but its a modern ground that does the job really well. Colchester have gone RIGHT UP in my estimations.

 

[nutter]

Agree with most of what has been said but not convinced by brezovan. He did make that double save but for me is lacking ariel ability. He needs to be more commanding if he is going to still be here next season.

 

[SICKASAGULL]

Cant grumble on an away point but poor display by the team as a whole gave little to shout about for those who gave up a Bank Holiday.
Its a fact that without Murray we dont look as if we are going to score that many goals,if Glen had been injuried last month we would not be holding top spot,its not just his goals but his alround play.

 

[Hungry Joe]

Nice fans and staff, ground not half as bad as some were making out, very good burgers from the stand by the band (including a decent chilli sauce), band not very good but at least they put on some entertainment, woeful first half display (might as well have run out in Bermuda shorts and flips flops), better second half, Colchester played some nice football, Brighton fans noisy enough in patches to make the Sky sound bloke have to move his mic back a bit, Colchester fans on holiday with the half the Brighton squad.