Are Brighton this season's under achievers?

Every time I look at the table I wonder what an earth are Brighton doing down there. They should be in a much higher position in the table and yet at this time of the season surely the table does not lie. While many of their fans will blame Sami Hyypia's reign for the plight of the team I believe Brighton's players are capable of greater things than they have achieved to date.

When Gus Poyet left the club it was the end of a huge era for them. Gus was their link with the past and the Withdean stadium as well as their hope for a brighter future at the Amex. They perhaps lost a bit of that drive and vision at some point and the disappointment of not winning through in the play-offs is a warning to AFCB fans that what looks good today may not look so good tomorrow.

It could have gone better for Brighton this season.

In Chris Hughton I see a manager who is stable and has good values that has brought Brighton much closer to safety than they were at the start of the year. Now they have a clear goal and even with a few set backs they are on course to secure Championship football next season. But is that good enough for such a club? I expect many of their supporters would say that they should be nearer to where the Cherries are in the table and perhaps they will be up there again in 10 months time. But a defeat to AFCB on Friday night will have the Seagulls looking over their shoulder just a bit.

Under achievers they may have been this season, but I would say that Fulham are even bigger under achievers. They must be just glad that Millwall, Wigan and Blackpool are in even more trouble.  

The Cherries didn't get a win last time at the Amex so Simon Francis, Charlie Daniels,
Tommy Elphick and Steve Cook will be hoping to at least keep a clean sheet. 

The Seagulls Love Review Rival Lines has not materialised, but if it does come in I'll put it up later. Safe journey to those going to the match tonight. I'll be there and on All Departments' podcast review of the game over the weekend if all goes well. UTCIAD!

Finally, well done to Eddie Howe on winning SkyBet's March Manager of the Month in the Championship - I hope AFCB can buck the usual trend and keep winning despite the award!