ALTHOUGH an emphatic 4-0 win for the Albion told a story, there was room for optimism on both sides after the Worthing v Brighton pre-season friendly on Saturday.
With Micky Adams back in the dugout, the Albion "travelling" fans were treated to an impressive victory.
Obviously, "one swallow does not a summer make", but what was on show, along with Adams stating that there are still another couple of acquis
itions in the pipeline, the anticipated play-off challenge is certainly not pie in the sky.
Special mention at this point must go to chief scout Barry Lloyd, who has been working round the clock and racking up more miles than Judith Chalmers while going about looking extensively at every Albion target.
As for Worthing, despite the reverse, the Woodside Road faithful have grounds for optimism after a somewhat indifferent season.
And before my postbag and e-mail inbox is laden with Rebels fans reminding me that they reached the play-offs, they would be the first to admit that this time last year automatic promotion, and nothing less, was on the menu.
It was actually off the field at Woodside that I felt the most positive I have in many years.
There seemed to be a new atmosphere at the place. The warring factions seemed to have finally put down their weapons and appear to want to move forward working together, which will only benefit the club in the long run.
A footballing breath of fresh air if ever there was one.
The soccer authorities in this country often come in for some unfair criticism. However, in the case of Luton Town being docked 30 points in League Two before a ball has been kicked, they deserve every bit of stick they receive.
There is no argument that all has not been well at Kenilworth Road, but why punish TV's Nick Owen and his incoming consortium for misdemeanours carried out by the previous regimes?
The whole decision stinks, and I hope commonsense will prevail. But then again, on that matter I think I have two hopes: "Bob" and "No".
Signing of the season? Well, that may be stretching it but former Albion skipper Danny Cullip's switch from Gillingham to Conference debutants Lewes not only raised eyebrows, but more significantly, expectations, at the Dripping Pan.
Since new Rooks manager Kevin Keehan left the relative comfort of the Albion commercial department for the bear pit of football management, anyone would have been pushed to find something positive published about Lewes.
It appears everybody has written them off, but with the signing of the influential Cullip, they have put down some foundations. One man certainly doesn't make a team, but in his new signing Keehan has a trench fighter who will certainly lead by example.
They say you never see a bookie on a bike, but all I'm looking for is one with a heart.
The advent of the football season prompts the usual wave of predictions — and more on that in the next few weeks — but I wonder if any of our local turf accountants would be kind enough to provide this column with a charity bet in aid of the Chestnut Tree House Children's Hospice.
I'm looking for this treble:
- the Albion finishing in the top three of League One
- Nicky Forster being in the top three of the division scoring charts
- and Lewes not to get relegated from the Conference.
Any takers?
If so, please get in touch.
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