Failing to Prepare

The current season is barely over and Brighton and Hove Albion have already lined up pre-season friendly games for the forthcoming campaign against Worthing and Bognor Regis. There is also talk of similar fixtures against Billericay and Braintree.

While it is commendable that the Albion are playing matches against local non-league sides, it is also slightly worrying that they are all teams from leagues much lower than Division 1?and this has become something of a trend in recent years.

Back in the 1980`s, the Albion enjoyed warm up matches against the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs and Real Madrid. Last year, it was Colchester provided the sternest opposition!
Benjamin Franklin once famously stated the ‘Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail` and if the Seagulls want to equip themselves properly for a promotion push next season, then they really need to be playing against teams of a similar or higher level.

There are a whole host of Premiership or Championship sides in London, as well as the likes of Portsmouth and Southampton in Hampshire who are not too far away geographically and would be the tougher opposition that the Albion need.

Maybe a mini pre-season tournament could be arranged (the ‘South Coast Cup` for example?) or perhaps an annual fixture against arch rivals Crystal Palace to spice up pre-season. These games would also create more interest for supporters and therefore could potentially generate more money for the club.

It could be argued that the Kerry Mayo testimonial game against Reading in July will be good test for the Albion but as it is just a testimonial match, it is more likely to be a ‘stroll in the park` for both sides rather than a proper competitive warm up match.

If Brighton are serious about wanting to mount a promotion challenge in 2007/2008 then they need to prepare properly?over to you Dick Knight!

By Stuart Davis