January
Newsfile

Newsfile Archive

So its a must win game for Brighton and City. There is a lot of connections between the clubs as well. Alan Cork left the Seagulls to take up his job at Cardiff. Mark Walton left Brighton to join Cardiff, Kurt Nogan has played for Brighton, Charlie Oatway and Richard Carpenter are both former City players now at the Withdean. City even had the audacity to offer £1.2m for Bobby Zamora the Brighton hot shot.

City include David Hughes in the squad for the match he will challenge Rhys Weston for a place in the team. City are expected to line up with Walton, Gabbidon, Brazier, Young, Weston, Legg, McCulloch, Boland, Bowen, Leo, Brayson. Leaving the subs from Fowler, Evans, Hughes, Gordon, Low, Jordan.

Kevin Evans tweaked a hamstring last week and may not be available.

Brighton will have Chippy Carpenter and Charlie Oatway in their team as well as striker Bobby Zamora. Darren Freeman, a City target a few years ago, is also likely to play. They will be without Danny Cullip and Nathan Jones who are both suspended.

Brighton boss Mickey Adams has labelled us the "fat cats" of the division and has started the mind games by claiming there is unrest in the City camp. Hopefully 3 points to City will have him eating his words.

There will be full coverage in the chat room tomorrow, 86 is the record so far, going to break the 100 barrier soon I'm sure. As usual first reactions from fans on the messageboard and match reports and news on Saturday evening.

If you you are going to the game or to Ninian park to see the match live on the big screen then have a great day. Enjoy yourselves and let the action on the pitch make the headlines.

One lst word on the pitch at Brighton. The Club expect the game to go ahead, the weather has been dry today and is forecast for a cold dry day on Saturday. Just check first though before setting out.

Preview from the Brighton Argus.
Albion's crunch clash with Cardiff tomorrow is expected to go ahead.
Boss Micky Adams went to Withdean this morning to look at the pitch.

"There is no surface water and I cannot foresee any problems unless
there is rain overnight," he said.

Light rain is forecast tomorrow and match referee Paul Armstrong,
from Berkshire, may make a precautionary inspection in the morning.

Providing the game does take place, Albion can expect a giant
challenge from their promotion rivals.

Adams has pinpointed centre halves Andy Crosby and Matthew Wicks as
the "key factors" in the Withdean sell-out.

Cardiff sweeper Andy Legg possesses one of the longest throws in
English football and several of his team-mates are well over six
foot.

"Legg's long throw is a weapon that will come in from all areas of
the pitch," Adams warned. My players are going to have to stand up
and be counted defensively for that sort of aerial bombardment."

Danny Cullip is ruled out by the third of a three match ban, but
Adams is confident Crosby and Wicks can cope in his absence.

"They had decent practice last week against John Gayle at Torquay and
they stood up to it. One got a bloody nose and the other a cut eye. I
think they will be the key factor, although it's also important what
we do when we have got the ball."

Richard Carpenter (ankle) and Paul Brooker (back) are both fit for
selection, but Nathan Jones is also sidelined by suspension.

Cardiff have already spent millions in their quest for an instant
return to Division Two and Adams believes that puts pressure on the
team steered by his former No.2 and friend Alan Cork.

"They are the fat cats of the League," Adams said. "I am sure there
is a lot of unrest in their camp because if players at any time don't
perform Cardiff can go and replace them."