No great surprise at the Amex this afternoon as Brighton moved into the play-off places with a routine home win. The stats of 16 shots for the home side versus two for the visitors (both off target) says it all really. It took the home side just eleven minutes to climb into the driving seat and a second before half-time killed the contest.
It was good to see Chris Solly return as a second-half substitute.That at least quashes the rumours that "he'll never play again." Wilson too was back, albeit in a mask, and we should be able to line-up with our best back four if you perm one from Wood, Dervite and Cort. Personally I think that's a tough call between them. Poyet and Cousins both played again and I assume in a central pairing. Poyet was at fault for the first goal but he's well overdue a learning mistake and this was not the worst game in which to make one. Jackson and Asdarevic completed the midfield with Sordell and Reza completing the side.
Almost as important for us today was the fact that Millwall could only scrape another late equaliser at home against Watford and remain a point below us in the table. With Barnsley losing at Bolton and Yeovil only managing a home draw with Bournemouth, they both looked doomed, especially if Barnsley get nothing from their game in hand at the Valley on Tuesday. Indeed, another Tuesday night win for the Addicks and it becomes a straight fight between us, Millwall, Blackpool, Doncaster and Birmingham for the final relegation spot.
A win on Tuesday puts us top of that lot, a point clear of Birmingham and Doncaster, two clear of Blackpool and, crucially, four clear of Millwall. Blackpool managed to lose to a rudderless Leeds United outfit today and their next two are home to Burnley and away at Brighton. Millwall go to Boro on Good Friday but then play a six pointer on Easter Monday against Doncaster at the New Den. There's a lot left in this but four points for us this week should give us line of sight to the safety mark and exert massive pressure on a couple of the others around us.
Barnsley will have very few fans down on Tuesday evening and we have a golden opportunity to hobble them but we will need to be wary because they will know their chances are running out and a loss to us will put them on the edge with only four games left. Doncaster aren't looking too clever either. Apart from their game at the New Den they have to play Top, Third and Eighth.
I can sense survival….
Never got going .it could have been a different game if we had not hit the bar. tuesday is a must win game .
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