The green, green grass of home

By 4two
January 30 2003

With a new pitch and a morale boosting cup win last weekend, Colin Lee will not want a defeat against a Brighton side who are looking doomed for the drop.

Walsall VS Brighton HA
Competition : Nationwide League Division 1 Date, Time & Location: 1.3.03 - 3.00pm - Bescot Stadium, Walsall
Tickets: No sell out expected. The usual advice of get your Purple Stand tickets early applies, because they are cheaper, and you can choose the better views. Expect a  5500-6500 crowd.
	Directions (Road): You cannot miss the stadium if you travel along the M6. It is just off Junction 9, then the A461 road leads you round to the Stadium. It is well signposted from the Motorway. You can Leave at Junction 10, it takes longer but it is also sign posted. It is a 20 minute walk from the town center, and it is also served by its own Station "Bescot Stadium Station". (Guide to Bescot)
News: Javary is available, as is Emblen. Junior is still in Brazil (would be suspended anyhow). Wrack is suspended. Birch is certainly out. O'Connor is back in the frame. Is Lee going to tinker with a winning team? Who knows. Corica with the new pitch? Javary role? Emblen for Barass?
News:  Former Premiership forward Paul Kitson is the only real doubt for the Seagulls, as he is carrying a thigh injury. Simon Rodger has been struggling, and their is a question mark over his participation in the game.
one2watch: Zigor Aranalde, an on form Zigor can torment the best of defences. His performance last week was simply outstanding, and his offensive play drew attention from his usual substandard defensive abilities. It is now perfectly simple, the best way for Zigor to defend is to attack. Lets hope Lee gives him the right instructions !
one2watch: Many Brighton fans put their slow start to the season down to the injury problems of Bobby Zamora. Anyone will tell you one man does not make a team, but since Zamora came back, in his 20 games he has netted 7 times. (Juniors record, 22/8). His goals have caused a mini revival, with the Seagulls picking up points, and the Saddlers back line will have to be on high alert on Saturday.
Junior 25 The Absent Junior Vs Bobby Zamora. Bobby Zamora 25 8 Goals 7 22 Games Played 20 0.36 Goals Per Game Av 0.35 7 Total Games Scored In 6
The Last 10 Games.... Walsall       Brighton and Hove Albion Ven Versus Pos A 0 - 0 Reading D 7 H 0 - 1 Wolves L 10 A 1 - 1 N Forest D 5 A 2 - 3 Ipswich L 16 H 0 - 1 Sheff United L 5 A 1 - 2 Norwich L 4 H 2 - 0 Wimbledon W 11 H 3 - 1 Grimsby W 21 A 2 - 3 Portsmouth L 1 H 1 - 0 Gillingham W 15 Ven Versus Pos H 1 - 1 Portsmouth D 1 A 0 - 0 Coventry D 8 H 2 - 2 Burnley D 13 A 1 - 0 Norwich W 4 H 0 - 1 Leicester L 2 A 0 - 1 Derby L 13 H 1 - 1 Ipswich D 19 A 1 - 1 Sheff Wed D 23 H 0 - 1 Reading L 4 A 2 - 3 N Forest L 4
Last Time 2-0 26/8/02 - Nationwide Lge Division 1
The Verdict: Brighton's results have vastly improved since we last met. You could call this one a six pointer, and it does take on an added importance. The situation is quiet simple, we have to beat the teams below us at home if we are to pull away from the relegation dog fight. As we found last season losing to the teams near the bottom (Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley etc) does not do you any favors. The new pitch could well be the star of the show, especially if Lee unleashes the talent of Corica and Javary in the same midfield.  The new pitch should be the catalyst for a good, solid performance.
PREDICTION: The Saddlers 3-1 Seagulls
What do the Seagulls Say?