It was the best of times; it was the worst of times

With a prime time drama serial, Charles Dickens seems to be well and truly back in vogue, and perhaps one of his most famous and often used quotes, sums up the mixed fortunes of the Albion over the last 180 minutes.
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First for sports news

First stop on Saturday was a lunchtime trip to South Wales for a live TV kick-off against Cardiff City.

All credit to the Albion faithful who travelled down to the principality in horrendous conditions, having made the trip on a number of occasions this time I like many others took the easy option and opted for a Sussex pub venue, and given Brighton’s dismal first half showing I’m sure every man, woman and child in Albion colours at Cardiff had wished they’d stayed at home and watched it on the telly.

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In Chris Hughton’s defence the weather conditions didn’t help, though some might counter that argument by saying it’s the same for both teams, then again in the pub where I was a number of supporters were questioning the team selection even before a ball was kicked.

Needless to say, three-nil down at the break, a glimmer of hope with an early goal in the second half before the hosts restored their 3 goal cushion. To lose 4-1 is never pleasant whatever the circumstances, possibly both age and years of watching the Albion, I came away from the pub on Saturday with my glass very much half full (And with only 2 bar staff servicing a packed pub that was an achievement in itself)

If Saturday proves to be a wake up call or lesson learned, however you put it, then that’s a positive. Almost immediately I was buoyed on Saturday night when I saw the Facebook post of new signing Jiri Skalak, who apologised for the result and performance, thanked the fans for making the trip and promised things would be put right on Tuesday night at Bristol City.

Regardless of whether someone advised him to do this or he did it off his own back fans love things like this, and on this occasion the player was true to his word, as the Albion bounced back with an emphatic 4-0 win at Bristol City equalling a club record in the process of the highest away win in the top divisions, the previous ironically being at Bristol Rovers under Alan Mullery nearly 40 years ago.

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So once again the top of the championship makes exciting reading, with the Albion having to play 4 of the top 6 before the end of the campaign, it still is very much in our hands.

It’s another TV game this weekend, we seem to be on as much as Ant and Dec at the moment, with the visit of Leeds United (Dirty Leeds/The Champions of Europe delete where applicable) to the Amex on Monday evening, which whilst I am very much a traditionalist and favour 3pm Saturday kick-offs does provide a potential double bill for local football fans.

Worthing entertain Molesley at Woodside on Saturday and again to re-iterate all Albion season ticket holders can get into Woodside Road on production of their Amex season ticket for £5, whilst despite challenging for promotion to the Premiership, there are still a number of seats available for Mondays night’s game at the Amex. It’s a cliché I know, but I really do think a great atmosphere at home really is that 12th man, so if you are wavering, give it a go, and ring the Albion box office on 0844 327 1901.

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