A Brighton and Hove Albion guide to avoiding relegation
We are quickly approaching the business end of the Premier League season, and Brighton supporters could be forgiven for thinking it wasn’t supposed to be like this.
The start of the season was full of promise, and though the most optimistic Albion followers may have thought that challenging for a European spot was possible, Brighton & Hove Albion find themselves a hair’s breadth away from the relegation zone proper.
The side deserves better than a relegation battle to finish the season, but without a win since the match against Bournemouth in December, it is looking likely that we are going to spend March to May scrapping it out for precious points to try and avoid the drop down.
Don’t fall into the relegation zone in the first place
This simple step may seem obvious enough, but it is worth remembering before any more points are dropped in the league.
The remaining fixtures left to play this season aren’t too kind to Brighton’s survival hopes, with Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City visiting the Amex, as well as an away game at Anfield to the Champions-in-waiting.
Every point is important at this stage in the season, so squeaking out a home draw to an iffy Arsenal or United side could make all the difference in May.
It’s the May fixtures that give us the most hope. Playing Southampton away, Newcastle at home, and finishing the season away at Burnley give Albion three games they can win to finish on.
There is no need to get caught up in the relegation zone at all if the lads can turn it around and start winning some points.
Get nine points from Southampton, Norwich, and Newcastle
These three games are all six-pointers and if Brighton are going to be playing Premier League football next season, then these are points we can’t afford to drop.
Norwich and Newcastle are particularly important games. Newcastle will be in the relegation mix towards the end of the season, and a home win in this tie would probably put them between Brighton and the bottom three.
Norwich are pretty much relegated already. The maths is too complicated to work out, but if you are on 18 points at the end of February, it is safe to say the only way is down.
Three points dropped here would be an embarrassment to Brighton, and realistically, these should be three easy points to pick up. If Albion can get 7 or 9 points from these games, there will be a shred of light at the end of the tunnel.
Get behind the lads, lads and lasses
If there is a lesson any team can take from Liverpool this season, it is how important having strong support at home and away can be to a team’s success.
Liverpool’s supporters are known across the world for turning out for their team “through the wind and the rain”, and players with a following like that will go the extra mile and push that little bit harder to get a result.
The Albion faithful are some of the best supporters I have had the pleasure of singing with, in any ground, anywhere in the country.
If there is one thing that can make the difference to the rest of Brighton’s season, it is the support we can give them home and away.
Getting tickets to a game is easier than ever too thanks to Ticket-Compare who pull together all the different sellers to help you find the cheapest one. Every Brighton game is available there, so you have no excuses not to turn out for the lads.
The remaining fixtures should be full-house affairs, with every fan in every seat giving it all they can to keep us up this year.
They say the home supporters of Anfield’s Kop End can breathe a ball into the net or blow it out depending who is scoring; the North Stand could do with a little of that before May comes around.
Don’t underestimate the importance of superstition and tradition
Do you always go for a swift pre-game half of lager in the same pub before a game? Well, guess where you’re going for a drink before every game! Does your little one like to wear their kit to the match? Get it washed and ready on a Friday night then.
Leave no lucky omen unused. Don’t step on the cracks in the pavement. Salute any magpies (unless we are playing Newcastle). Every match tradition, superstition, and lucky charm is needed when your team faces a relegation battle; so, don’t let the side down.
Praying helps too if you’re that way inclined. It doesn’t make a difference who or what you are praying to, as long as it works. Atheists can cross their fingers and hope too. If you think it will keep Brighton up this season, and doesn’t harm yourself or others, do it.
It is going to be very tight at the bottom in May, and though Norwich may have filled one spot already, there are still two relegation places that are staring up at Albion, calling us to the depths of Championship football like sirens to a shipwreck.
Take Some Solace in the Stats
You can be forgiven for thinking to yourself “How did we get here?”. It’s a good question. Brighton have had a good season with some good results. Consistency has eluded the team all season, but the performances have been there.
On too many occasions this season we have seen three points become one, as Brighton lost concentration or control and dropped points they should have won.
There is some consolation that out of all the teams threatened with relegation, which is at least nine the way I see the standings, Brighton & Hove Albion have got the best goal difference.
We can score goals and do so consistently. If the defence can solidify a little and keep a clean sheet or two in the next few games, we may be wondering what all the relegation fuss was about come April. Fingers crossed.
