After all the gloomy predictions about who we would draw in the 4th Round of the League Cup, we pulled out a plum tie at home to Premier League opposition in Brighton & Hove Albion. Hopefully that will give the whole club a lift and we can look forward to an extra bounce in other games ahead of this.
The match will be played week commencing Monday 19th December at the Valley, most likely Tuesday 20th, given we are the only London side left in the competition, there shouldn't be any policing concerns to threaten that. I anticipate a real gate of at least 15,000 that should make for a decent atmosphere.
We have a lot of close ties with Brighton but none closer than our respective fan's mutual support for each other at times of crisis in our respective histories as well as our dual loathing of Crystal Palace.
Brighton have found their feet again after appointing Roberto Di Zerbi as manager. They have beaten Chelsea, Wolves and Arsenal in their last three and are riding high at sixth in the Premier table. In terms of realistic silverware, they must be targeting the League Cup (Carabao) especially as only three of the 'big six' remain in it and Liverpool have drawn Manchester City.
What we need in the meantime is to improve our league position further before then (win more than lose) and see off Stockport at the Valley to secure a 3rd Round F A Cup tie. That would surely give us incredibly rare Cup Fever and bring the punters back through the gates.
We can make a start by beating bottom-of-the-table Burton tomorrow at their place. Come on you Reds!
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