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On a dry afternoon, tannoy man announced 11,600 season ticket holders, everything then looked rosy with the team taking to a pitch of an Axminster like quality. Sadly, the top quality remained at the pitch level, the Clarets turning in a very poor first half performance with gears second, third and fourth remaining unused, as were most of the tactics, Clarets fundamentally flawed in all departments, particularly centre midfield where there was no drive whatsoever.
Formationally, it was also puzzling, with Blake and Ian Moore alternating with Gareth Taylor up front, neither showing any real desire or cutting edge in the process. Gulls, in their ref like strips, took an early "lead" on only seven minutes, but an eagle-eyed linesman flagged Zamora for offside, a let off for the Clarets defenders who had not picked up Zamora's run at all.
On ten minutes, Nicos Nowhereos, hopelessly misjudged the flight of a simple cross and was very thankful to Branch steering Zamora's far post header around the post. Briefly Clarets responded, but Ian Moore and Blake were not on the same wavelength Moore's mazy run coming to nothing. It was little to be enthusiastic about and the Gulls 1,200 provided the atmosphere as most Clarets sat in dismay at the sorry proceedings before them.
It was 0-1 on the half hour and all so easy for Brighton to dictate proceedings at will. Zamora picked up a loose ball thirty yards from goal and threaded a simple pass to an unmarked Melton, who then coolly shot through the gap vacated by Nicos Aghastos. Milton was replaced by Rogers before dilly dally Branch was caught in possession and Nicos Onhandos was adept in moving across goal to collect the curling shot. So on to half time, the whistle allowing the boo boys their first howls of the season, as Stan prepared for his first meaningful pep talk and a rocket for his under performers before the Foundation draw took centre stage.
Into the second half and unsurprisingly Branch made immediate way for Cox as Stan reshuffled the back four, Arthur moving into the vacated left back slot. Clarets were responding to Stan's motivational efforts and in the first minute Blake fed Ian Moore who was unlucky to see his first time shot cannon off goalkeeper Kuiper's legs. After only seven minutes, and with Clarets trying to make amends, Arthur let himself and the team down with a moment of stupidity after winning a free kick, head butting Gary Hart triggering a major melee. Whilst Hart's fall looked like he had been shot, there can be no excuse for Arthur's action, in full view of the referee Mr Bates, trailing by a man and a goal left Clarets a insurmountable mountain to climb.
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Three minutes later and Nicos Giftedos to Zamora, failing to hold a simple cross and allowing Brighton's marksman as easy a chance as he is likely to get all season. The game was now well and truly over, the time wasting tactics of the keeper mattered not, as the game degenerated to an even lower level still in terms of play and entertainment values. Papa....... tried on occasions to lift the display, by at least looking interested, demonstrating an eagerness to run and chase lacking from his team mates and with a little more composure could have reduced the deficit. At least he gave Taylor a partner to work with.
Into injury time and Clarets pulled a consolatory goal back Briscoe turning in Taylor's downward header from three yards before Mr Bates confirmed what we'd known for forty minutes that Clarets were to reward themselves with nil points from this poor performance.
Att: 14,738.
Star Gazer
Arthur Gnohere. Needs to look long and hard in the mirror after his ridiculous head butt incident. Whether he made contact or not is irrelevant, he will now miss three games, so what the final cost will be remains to be seen.
Glass Half Empty
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. You wait four months for the game and guess what, with shoddy displays like this you can quite happily wait four months for the next one. This was one most definitely for the chin and it is no wonder the players will be in for training on Sunday morning. Inept in all areas and very lacking in the creativity department. Could someone also take Nicos Flappos to one side and teach him how to catch please?
Star Geezer
Gareth Taylor. Didn't take my abacus to the game, so can only estimate that he won 90% of headers and challenges made. Sadly, no one else was on his wave length and largely his efforts went unrewarded, except until injury time.
Glass Half Full
The pitch looks great