Back on the road and a new ground

Things have definitely looked up since I last went to an away game. My last two games were at Bristol City and Birmingham, both of which were lost, before I missed the wins at Hull City and West Ham.

Charlie Austin - back in the reckoning

Now can we make it three wins in succession on the road? If we do it will be the first time in just over four years and on that occasion we won four times. The first of them was a 1-0 win at Leicester with Steve Davis in charge and we then went on to win the first three away games under Owen Coyle at Watford, Charlton and Wolves, all this whilst struggling to find a win at home.

The last two away games have brought brilliant results, coming from behind in both. It set us up nicely for last week but another home struggle saw us lose for the fifth time at Turf Moor this season putting further pressure on us to get away wins.

It really has been a change of fortune from a year ago when we were winning games for fun at home but couldn't get over the line away despite holding late leads in at least three games. It's been a complete reverse and so we should go into Saturday's game with plenty of confidence.

We've already secured more away wins in 2011than in any year since 2001 and as the manager at that time would tell us, you aren't a good team until you start winning away.

There were no injuries reported last week and so Eddie Howe should have a strong squad to take south including both Charlie Austin and Martin Paterson who returned to action via the bench last week. Both came through without any reaction and both will surely be part of the squad again on Saturday.

Dean Marney played ever so well in the last away win and he could come back into the reckoning should we opt to go with three midfield players again. It wouldn't be a surprise and that could, again, see Sam Vokes on the bench.

If so, we could line up: Lee Grant, Kieran Trippier, Michael Duff, David Edgar, Ben Mee, Dean Marney, Marvin Bartley, Chris McCann, Ross Wallace, Junior Stanislas, Jay Rodriguez. Subs from: Jon Stewart, Andre Amougou, Brian Easton, Keith Treacy, Alex MacDonald, Zavon Hines, Sam Vokes, Charlie Austin, Martin Paterson.

Our Opponents - Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton stormed to promotion from League One last season, winning the league with a total of 95 points. It was their last season at the Withdean and they quickly settled into the higher level and the new stadium.

They got off to a great start, winning five of their first six league games and winning the other. They were top of the league but just when it was starting to look easy that early season form deserted them and they went on a run of nine games without a win, collecting just four points.

Suddenly from the summit of the table they were down in 11th place, their lowest placing so far. Since, they've recovered with four wins in six games and that's left them just outside the play off positions.

At home, they've lost just twice against rivals Crystal Palace and then against West Ham whilst winning five of their ten games to date at home.

Craig Mackail-Smith, the record signing in the summer from Peterborough, is the leading scorer with six whilst Ashley Barnes has scored five league goals.

If they have a problem it's scoring goals. They've scored 23 league goals this season and only two teams outside the bottom four have scored less. However, they are defensively sound and only West Ham, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace have conceded less goals.

They are though the best team in the league at collecting yellow cards. They've already totted up 58 yellow cards which is 21 more than the next highest, Hull and Millwall.

Last time out they were beaten 1-0 at Middlesbrough and Poyet is expected to name the same team. If that's the case they will line up: Casper Ankergren, Gonzalo Jara Reyes, Gordon Greer, Lewis Dunk, Mauricio Taricco, Liam Bridcutt, Matthew Sparrow (Will Buckley 62), Romain Vincelot, Craig Noone (Billy Paynter 74), Craig Mackail-Smith (Ashley Barnes 74), Kazenga LuaLua. Subs not used: Peter Brezovan , Adam El-Abd.

Last Time We Were There

Our last visit to Brighton came in January 2006 and I can only reproduce my match report from the game that night.

As Burnley collected their first point for three games in a goalless draw at Brighton last night I seriously questioned my sanity in travelling up and down the country watching the Clarets.

There is little, if anything, I can think of that was positive about the experience other than the coach drivers getting us home at a far earlier time than I dared hope, I was back home having a cup of tea before 3:15 this morning.

When I first visited the Withdean in December 2002, I suggested it was hardly suitable for League football but this season we have been moved to a new vantage point behind the goal where the shot put area used to be.

I didn't believe things could have got worse but there we were, sat over fifty yards from the pitch, hardly elevated, out in the open in very cold conditions, and all for £21.50. It was virtually impossible to work out just what was going on during the game once the ball got beyond the penalty box at the end nearest to us.

I have every sympathy for Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, in the way they lost their ground, and have offered support to them more than once via this web site. But from a personal point of view I really would like to see them relegated to avoid this ridiculous venue - and I will seriously consider not bothering if we have to play there again next season.

This is without doubt the worst ground I have ever been to for league football and the section we were allocated last night, and other away fans have been allocated this season, is nothing short of a disgrace. The sympathy I am afraid does start to wear a little thin.

What can I honestly say about the game? Well certainly it was poor, from what I could make of it, it was nothing short of rank bad and I don't recall either side really creating a chance of note.

Burnley defended the area of the pitch within seeing distance in the first half and apart from one weakly hit shot from the edge of the box I don't recall Brian Jensen being asked to contribute during that first forty five minutes.

There again, there was certainly no more for Wayne Henderson to do after the restart, I think we had just a couple of shots off target during that period. Down at the other end, judged on the reaction from the much better placed home fans, I think we might have had a couple of narrow escapes.

We had three players yellow carded, John Harley, Frank Sinclair and debutant Michael Ricketts. Unfortunately that means Frank will miss the games against Ipswich and Wolves through suspension.

Man of the Match: We appeared to defend well enough so either of the two central defenders would be my choice.

No matter what happens on Saturday when Plymouth are the visitors, at least I'll be back in a stand that affords me a view of the game.

The teams were,

Brighton: Wayne Henderson, Adam El-Abd, Paul McShane, Guy Butter, Joel Lynch, Paul Reid, Richard Carpenter, Dean Hammond, Alexandre Frutos, Gary Hart, Sebastien Carole (Colin Kazim -Richards 53). Subs not used: Michel Kuipers, Kerry Mayo, Jake Robinson, Doug Loft.

Burnley: Brian Jensen, Michael Duff, Frank Sinclair, John McGreal, Jon Harley, Wade Elliott (Chris McCann 80), Garreth O'Connor (John Spicer 89), Micah Hyde, James O'Connor, Graham Branch, Michael Ricketts. Subs not used: Duane Courtney, Danny Karbassiyoon, Gifton Noel-Williams.

Previous Games against Brighton & Hove Albion

Click HERE to see all previous results against Brighton & Hove Albion