One of the main problems with Brightons season was the amount of loan signings made over the campaign, over 14 were used (over 44 in total) and the team rarely looked the same from one week to the next and as a result, there was no real consistency either on or off the field.
Perhaps the most ‘high profile’ of the loan signings was Welsh International Robbie Savage who had fallen out of favour at Derby County and joined the Albion on a months loan amidst high expectations. While he did not play badly for the side, he failed to set the team alight and as with many of the loanees, returned to his parent club without having made any real impression.
Robbie’s debut was an exciting 3-3 draw with Cheltenham, a game the Albion should have won but as was the case on many occasions, late goals cost them dearly. Away defeats at Leeds and Hartlepool sandwiched a dour home draw with lowly Hereford.
The only real high point in October was the superb victory against league leaders Leicester which saw the Seagulls come from 2 goals down to win 3-2. It was a game which saw one of the Albions more successful loan signings Bradley Johnson scored twice on his debut.
However, this failed to mask the fact that the league form was getting progressively worse and it was only the the Johnsons Paint Trophy,where the Seagulls scraped through to the next round at the expense of rivals Orient and Carling Cup that were providing the Seagulls any real cause for optimism.
November started on a high as play off contenders Millwall were thumped 4-1 to record something of a rarity, back to back wins! Carling cup interested was thwarted as Derby showed their Championship class to overcome the Sussex side. There was no joy in the FA Cup either as they went down 2-1 to Hartlepool in a first round replay after a 3-3 draw at The Withdean.
The Johnstons Paint trophy campaign was sill alive and kicking however as Swindon were brushed aside in the Southern area quarter final.
Worryingly though,three consecutive defeats in the league had seen the side slide perilously towards the relegation spaces.
That poor form continued in December with the side going down to Colchester,Tranmere and MK Dons, only a draw at Oldham and a vital away win at Swindon provided any festive cheer as they ended the year firmly entrenched in a relegation battle.
Once again,it was The Johnsons Paint Trophy that gave the team brief escapism as they overcame league two side Shrewsbury on penalties to reach the Southern Area final to find themselves just a game away from Wembley.
As the first half of the campaign drew to a close, it was patently obvious that Brighton had underachieved badly. There was no cohesion,stability or confidence in the side…only a handful of players notably Andrew Whing, Glen Murray, Nicky Forster and Bradley Johnston had performed well and manager Micky Adams seemed to be a pale reflection of his former self.
Although there was still plenty of optimism, there was also the nagging feeling that things would get worse before they got better.
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