- 7 weeks ago
Matt Pole is joined by Brighton writer Derren Howard, Crawley Town expert Mark Dunford, and Sam Morton, who covers both the Seagulls and the Reds.
Brighton suffered their first loss of the 2025-26 Premier League season against Everton at a rocking Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, but advanced to the third round of the Carabao Cup with a resounding victory at Oxford on Wednesday evening. Crawley Town, meanwhile, remain searching for a first League Two win after falling to Tranmere Rovers.
This week, we look back at Albion’s defeat at the Toffees and their midweek League Cup win at Oxford, preview Sunday’s home clash against Man City, and bring you all the fallout from the Reds’ loss to Rovers.
Brighton suffered their first loss of the 2025-26 Premier League season against Everton at a rocking Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, but advanced to the third round of the Carabao Cup with a resounding victory at Oxford on Wednesday evening. Crawley Town, meanwhile, remain searching for a first League Two win after falling to Tranmere Rovers.
This week, we look back at Albion’s defeat at the Toffees and their midweek League Cup win at Oxford, preview Sunday’s home clash against Man City, and bring you all the fallout from the Reds’ loss to Rovers.
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00:00Welcome to another episode of the Goal Math Action Podcast, where we take a look at all the latest goings-on at Brighton, Hove Albion and Crawley Town.
00:06I'm Matt Poul, and this week I'm joined by Brighton writer Darren Howard, Crawley Town expert Mark Dunford and Sam Morton, who covers both the Seagulls and the Reds.
00:15Brighton suffered their first loss of the 2025-26 Premier League season against Everton at a rocking Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday,
00:22but advanced to the third round of the Caravelle Cup with a resounding victory at Oxford on Wednesday evening.
00:26Crawley Town, meanwhile, remains searching for a first League 2 win after falling to Tranmere Rovers.
00:32This week, we'll look back at Albion's defeat at the Toffees and their midweek League Cup win at Oxford,
00:37preview Sunday's home clash against Man City and bring you all the fallout from the Reds' loss to Rovers.
00:42You can read all the stories we are talking about with videos and pictures online at sussexworld.co.uk forward slash ball.
00:48Everton started Premier League life at their magnificent new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey with the first victory of the season against Brighton.
00:55Jack Greenish's driven cross was turned in by Ilman and Dye after 23 minutes.
00:59Greenish has passed and found James Garner afraid blockbuster finish from 25 yards seven minutes after the break.
01:06Safe to say it was a difficult day in the office for the Seagulls, although I think we all kind of expected it a little bit.
01:12What was the performance like, Darren? Lots of positives to take from that?
01:17Yeah, there were some positives to take from it. As you say, it's always going to be a tough ask for Brighton, you know,
01:24in that atmosphere up in the new stadium, which was great, really.
01:29The whole facility looked really good from the outside.
01:34And then when you when you get inside as well, there's the sort of the steep elevation creates a really great atmosphere in the stadium,
01:41which which I think is going to be great for Everton for the next, you know, for the next, you know, many, many years.
01:48So really good sort of positive from that side of things.
01:51But for Brighton, they should have been two nil up really before before Everton opened the score.
01:57And they had a couple of a couple of really good chances that Danny Welbeck missed one from from close range.
02:03And then Jean-Paul Van Hecker, he hit the post as well.
02:06Matt O'Reilly, he had a great, a great chance when he latched on to a loose back pass from James Taukowski.
02:15So they really should have had had their noses in front.
02:19But then when they they went behind the, you know, the Everton fans really, really got behind their team.
02:24And it was very, very difficult for Brighton after that.
02:27And then they conceded fairly early in the in the second half as well.
02:31Long range effort from James Garner, another Jack Grealish assist, who was quite dangerous, quite dangerous throughout.
02:40It's a bit disappointing, really.
02:41Bart Verbruggen probably feel as though he should have got a hand onto the on onto the shot.
02:46So perhaps quite a soft goal for for Albion to concede.
02:50And then later on, Danny Welbeck missed a missed a penalty with about 10 minutes to go.
02:55Which would have, you know, if that had gone in, that they could have made quite a nervy, you know, final final 10 minutes.
03:01But but there were there were some positives to to come out of it as well.
03:06It's good to see Jack Kincherwood.
03:08He got 45 minutes and then he played again last night in the Carabao Cup win.
03:13So he's sort of working his way back to full fitness as well, which is a boost ahead of this weekend's game against Manchester City.
03:20So I think that and remember, they were missing Jorginho Ruter as well.
03:24He's been he's been quite key for them.
03:27He's been leading the line in the attack and he missed the game against Everton.
03:31There's hope, hopefully that he'll be back for the City game as well.
03:35So, yeah, there's lots, lots to work on.
03:39They need to sort of tidy up on a few bits as as they were alluding to.
03:44But it's it's not all doom and gloom.
03:46The performances have been OK, but they just need that sharpness in front of goal that they've been lacking at the moment.
03:52Yeah, I couldn't agree more.
03:54And as you quite plainly mentioned there, Darren, Albion had plenty of chances to take home at least a point from their visit to Merseyside.
04:00And I know that Zeller has said he's quite happy with his squad and Brighton spent quite a bit of money during the summer transfer window.
04:06But are Albion crying out for an experienced striker before that that window slams shuts, Darren?
04:12It was pretty damning towards the end that defender Van Heek was being thrown up front in the Seagulls.
04:17And nine times out of ten, he was offside from what I saw of it.
04:20Yeah, it was one of those needs must, you know, you stick the biggest bloke you've got on the pitch and pop him up front and see if anything can happen.
04:31But yeah, it did highlight perhaps a slight lack of depth in that area.
04:36And I think the injury to Jorginho, sort of, you know, that was a factor in Van Heek playing up front for those last few moments.
04:46But, you know, Danny Welbeck will, you know, hopefully be involved again against Manchester City.
04:51He did miss a couple of chances and the penalty as well.
04:54But, you know, he's proven over the years that he's an absolute class act.
04:59And I'm sure he'll be keen to make amends against Manchester City.
05:03And if Jorginho is available as well, that gives him an extra depth there.
05:08And they've got the two Greek lads as well, who came on and played.
05:13Tissimath's got two goals against Oxford last night.
05:18Whether he features against Manchester City or not, there's been, Herzl was keen to sort of rein back the buzz around him at the moment.
05:28And just to say that, you know, we're already 3-0 up at the time when he came on.
05:32So starting a Premier League match is a completely different situation to what he found himself in that time.
05:38So we'll have to wait and see to see how they go against Manchester City, whether he will be involved or not.
05:45But I think with Welbeck, Jorginho and then the young lads coming through,
05:49I don't think there's going to be any sort of major rush to bring in any new additions before the transfer window closes.
05:57Well, while we may have spoken about their goal-scoring woes in the Premier League,
06:00they absolutely battered Mark Dunford's Oxford Wednesday night, thumping them 6-0.
06:05Plenty of Brighton debutants amongst the goal-scorers, Derren.
06:09What did you make of that performance?
06:10And is Stefano Simas the Seagull's new goal-scoring saviour?
06:15He could well be.
06:16He could well be, but it was, you know, really encouraging to see.
06:20And the energy that he brought when he came on is obviously really encouraging.
06:25The way he took his goals as well, he's in two instinctive finishes, which is what you want to see.
06:33You see these young players coming through and then when they get their opportunities on goal,
06:39to take it in the manner that he did was really encouraging.
06:42And that just shows the potential that he has.
06:45And hopefully he can then go on and keep improving and then deliver that onto the Premier League stage as well.
06:52And the way he celebrated with the fans as well, I think that showed a lot of sort of spirit that he has in him as well.
07:00And the fans really, you know, will really take to him if he continues to show that sort of energy
07:06and that skill in front of goal as well, which is something that Brighton needed.
07:12Obviously, Jao Pedro left last summer for Chelsea.
07:16And Brighton needs someone who's capable of coming in and delivering on those big moments.
07:21And the hope is, is that he will be able to do that in the future, as well as Sharon Lampos-Costoulas as well,
07:28who came on and showed some encouraging touches as well.
07:32But Tissimass looks as though he's going to be, you know, a really solid sign in for the future for Brighton.
07:39And he'll be, you know, really hoping to make his mark in the Premier League in the next, you know,
07:44in the next sort of particularly after the international break, I would have thought.
07:48Absolutely. And for those who don't know, and I include myself in this, Darren,
07:52the draw for the Carabao Cup third round was last night.
07:55Who did Brighton pull out that?
07:57They've got another long trip.
07:59So they're going to be at Barnsley in the next round.
08:02They've got a piece up online late, late last night.
08:06So they'll be, they'll be at Barnsley in the next round of the Carabao Cup.
08:11So, so, yeah, it's a, you know, it's a good opportunity to progress, you know, further in the competition.
08:17You saw sort of the lift it gave, Hazella spoke about it this morning in the press conference that,
08:25you know, after the, you know, the late equaliser against Fulham, the loss at Everton,
08:29you know, morale can quickly, you know, slip.
08:32And that result last night, albeit in a Carabao Cup against lower opposition,
08:37has, you know, boosted morale.
08:39It gave a chance for some of these players that haven't seen much game time,
08:42some minutes on the pitch.
08:44Players making their debuts, really encouraging debuts as well, not just Tissimas.
08:49There was Tommy Watson who came off the bench and his goal was probably the best of the bunch last night.
08:54Curled it into the top corner.
08:56I like the look of Oliver Boscagli as well at the back.
09:00I thought he looks a really good addition as well, defensively.
09:05Diego Coppola, he made his debut as well.
09:08So, these cup competitions can provide a real boost in terms of, you know,
09:13how the team feels throughout the whole season.
09:16And hopefully they can, you know, keep their progress going at Barnsley as well.
09:21Yeah, absolutely.
09:22And what we've spoken about, Simas, and it should be mentioned that, as Deryn said,
09:26Kostoulas also made his Albion debut on Wednesday, playing the final 12 minutes of the tie.
09:31Sam Morton, welcome back.
09:33Hopefully you've sorted out all your issues.
09:36Deryn's spoken about Simas and Kostoulas, but do you think that we should now expect to see
09:41the Greek pair feature more regularly?
09:42I know that Herzella at the time was quite keen to state that they didn't have the so-called
09:47Premier League experience for them to be in consideration.
09:49How do you see things now?
09:51Yeah, so, I mean, hopefully the Brighton attack is more secure than my internet connection is today.
09:56But I seem to be back up and running.
09:59Simas, yeah, I was very impressed by him at Oxford.
10:03Obviously, two very well-taken goals.
10:05And he even got an assist for Watson as well.
10:07And I think it's one of those where he's shown what he can do.
10:10But obviously, the Premier League is a different level.
10:13And Herzella has urged fans to be patient.
10:16And he said he was already 3-0, so it's not the intensity you can expect in a Premier League game.
10:20For sure, he's closer with his step today.
10:22But I'm not sure he will be an option for the weekend against Man City.
10:26We have to see how he reacts.
10:28And in press today, Herzella said Simas is further along than Kostoulas in terms of being in a Premier League squad.
10:33But they're both getting closer.
10:34So, yeah, I think it's really exciting.
10:37I think Simas brings the goal-scoring instinct.
10:41And obviously, we've not seen much from Kostoulas yet.
10:44But from what we've heard, he's a skillful and versatile player as well.
10:47And I think they've both got an incredibly exciting mix of abilities between them.
10:53And I think it's exciting for Brighton.
10:55And a lot will depend on how they get on, I think, in terms of Brighton's goal-scoring form.
11:00Because there is definitely a João Pedro-shaped hole in the attack.
11:04Jorginho is obviously featured in the false knight role.
11:07I don't think that's his best position.
11:08I think he's better playing a little bit deeper to start the attacks rather than to finish them.
11:14Danny Welbeck was obviously rusty against Everton.
11:16So, it'll be interesting to see if he can replicate last season's excellent goal-scoring form.
11:20But obviously, it's a big ask because he was so brilliant last season.
11:24And ironically, with Evan Ferguson impressing at Roma, you do wonder if Albion should have kept him.
11:29If he can stay fit, he's still such a great option.
11:32But I think if Ferguson can continue his form at Roma, he'll come back to Brighton at the end of it.
11:39A reward play as well.
11:40So, I think there's definitely room for optimism at Brighton.
11:43But I think they definitely need to be patient, despite seeing things with Massa Oxford.
11:47Yeah, couldn't agree more.
11:49This Sunday sees Albion host Manchester City in the Premier League.
11:52He also tasted defeat for the first time last weekend.
11:56City will be in 2-0 by Thomas Frank Spurs on Saturday, a result which sees in six, albeit we've only had two games.
12:02What's the latest from both camps going into this one, Derren?
12:05And is there a feeling that this City team isn't quite as familiar as previous seasons?
12:09I say that now and they'll probably end up scoring about six or seven.
12:12And so, I apologise for trying plans in advance for saying that.
12:15Yeah, it's a tricky one, isn't it?
12:17Yeah, they lost 2-0 at Tottenham.
12:20But yeah, they were actually, they were my tip to win the Premier League this season.
12:25So, I still think that, you know, they're such a dangerous team.
12:28You look at, you know, the players that they've brought in recently.
12:31You know, they've got Erling Haaland as well, who's, you know, you think there's 30 goals in there,
12:37you know, at least this season.
12:39And he always seems to play pretty well against Brighton as well.
12:42So, I'm really looking forward to that, to the tussle with him and Van Hecker.
12:48They had a great battle at the Amex Stadium in their previous match last season.
12:54It had Pep Guardiola on the pitch and having a go at Van Hecker after the game.
12:59It was quite a good sort of to-and-throw between the two,
13:04as if Erling Haaland needs anyone backing up for his argument.
13:08Pep was in there anyway.
13:11But yeah, it's one of these games that I really look forward to.
13:14I love watching Manchester City play.
13:15I think they play, you know, some great, great football.
13:19They always have over the last few years.
13:22And it's going to be a real test for Brighton.
13:24And it's one which you hope that the midweek result against Oxford
13:29will give them a morale boost going into this one.
13:34It's in front of their home supporters.
13:36They had the disappointment of the game, the last-minute equaliser against Fulham.
13:40So, you're going to hope that Brighton are really going to be keyed up for this one.
13:44And they're going to have to be at their highest level possible
13:47to get a result against Man City.
13:50But in terms of injury news, Jorginho Ruter, hopefully he'll be back.
13:56Herzella spoke about him in the press conference just moments ago.
14:01Hopefully he's going to be available.
14:03Adam Webster and Soli March are the long-term absentees.
14:07So, we'll see what's happened there.
14:10So, he's got a strong squad to choose from.
14:12Carlos Belieber, he said he is ready to play 90 minutes.
14:15He played 60 minutes against Fulham.
14:18And then he was hooked at half-time against Everton.
14:21So, he did say that he is available to play 90 minutes.
14:25And we'll see how he goes from there.
14:28But, yeah, it's going to be a great game.
14:30One I'm looking forward to on Sunday.
14:32Yeah, absolutely.
14:33And best of luck to Brian against City this weekend.
14:35Now, we'll take a look at the latest goings on at Crawley Town,
14:38who are still searching for a first win in League Two.
14:41Second-half goals from Nathan Smith and Omari Patrick saw Trent
14:442-0 winners at the Broadfield Stadium.
14:47A result which condemned the Reds to their worst start in 15 years
14:50as an EFL club.
14:52I must admit, Mark, I thought that this would be the game
14:54where Crawley really turned it on.
14:56But, unfortunately, it wasn't the case, was it?
14:59No, it wasn't.
15:01And it's another one of those games where you look at the stats
15:03and Crawley dominated.
15:05I mean, possession-wise, 63%, 20 shots to Tranmere's 11,
15:10free on target to Tranmere's 2, 77% pass accuracy to Tranmere's 61%,
15:16381 passes to 221.
15:18So, everything in stats-wise was in Crawley's favour.
15:23But they just didn't score.
15:25And it was the missed chances that really cost them.
15:27And Lindsay said they went into the game with confidence
15:29after the MK Dons display a few days before,
15:32but they just could not score.
15:34And he said they were brilliant in the first half.
15:36But, yeah, you've got to score.
15:38And he said it was actually draining the amount of chances they had.
15:40And every time they missed a chance, it drains me, he said.
15:43We're not ruthless enough in front of goal.
15:46We're nowhere near ruthless enough in front of goal.
15:48And then what happens is we become naive how we defend our box.
15:53And he said we've got to become better in both boxes.
15:57If we want to start winning games.
15:58I mean, I know we're going to come on to it,
16:00but he highlighted the experience difference.
16:03I think Tranmere's team had 2,000 league appearances between them,
16:09whereas Crawley's had 400.
16:11So, it's a bit of difference, but it's all about the know-how.
16:15And I think that's where Lindsay's team is struggling at the moment.
16:19They just, a lot of them don't know how to win a League 2 game.
16:23And I know that sounds ridiculous, but it is experience.
16:27It's being streetwise, isn't it?
16:29Maybe employing a bit more dark arts.
16:32There's a lot of naivety in the play.
16:34And I think, yeah, Lindsay's got quite a job in his hand
16:37to get in this team to jail.
16:38But he did it before with the team that won promotion.
16:42When you look at that squad, there were so many youngsters in that squad,
16:45so many people from non-league.
16:46And he worked wonders with them.
16:48So, there's every chance he could do it again.
16:51Hopefully, it's just a bit of a fact that the team hasn't gelled together yet.
16:55But the finishing is a bit of a problem.
16:59Yes.
16:59And how big of a concern is that for Crawley, Sam?
17:03Like Brighton, it seems they create plenty of chances,
17:06but don't seem to have any kind of cutting edge.
17:08Do you think this was always going to be the danger for Crawley,
17:10bringing in a whole host of new forwards during the summer?
17:14Yeah, it's not looking too good at the moment.
17:17Obviously, just two goals in five league games this season so far.
17:20Adi Adeyemo and Max Anderson obviously being those goal scorers.
17:23And I do think that Harry McCurdy was very unlucky not to score against Chapman.
17:27He was very likely.
17:27And hopefully, the goals will come.
17:30But, of course, it is a concern because at the end of the day,
17:32goals and football matches – sorry, goals win football matches
17:36and currently Crawley are not taking the chances to do that.
17:39And ironically, Will Swan is quite prolific for Bradford at the moment.
17:44Obviously, after leaving Crawley, he had three goals in the last three games
17:47and four in the last five.
17:50And that kind of play, it seems to me, is what Crawley are missing,
17:53even though he wasn't particularly prolific at Crawley.
17:56So, there's something they need to sort out in that department
17:59and maybe to create more goal-scoring chances,
18:02more clear-cut opportunities to score.
18:05But speaking to club media, Scott Lindsay was asked if there was a lack
18:08of confidence in the team.
18:10And he said, we certainly didn't start the game with lack of confidence
18:12after Tuesday night's performance.
18:13We went into the game really confident, front foot ready,
18:16and he thought we were brilliant in the first half, but we've got to score.
18:18You look at all the stats, probably have a higher XG than them.
18:21We have probably higher possession stats and more shots on goal,
18:24more shots on target.
18:25But at the end of the day, if you've not got the know-how to do it,
18:27you're not going to do it.
18:28It's as simple as that.
18:29He actually said it was quite draining for him to see miss chance after chance.
18:34They're not ruthless enough in front of the goal.
18:37And they're a bit naive about how they defend as well.
18:40So, yeah, lots of problems for Crawley, but hopefully they can sort them out
18:44and get back to winning ways pretty sharpish.
18:47As you said, Mark, Crawley manager seems desperate to add some experience
18:50to his team and revealed he will look to further strength in the Reds
18:53before the transfer window closes.
18:56We've talked about this off the podcast a little bit, haven't we, Mark?
18:58It does kind of feel like a double-edged sword to me.
19:01The Reds have already made 12 signings this summer,
19:03which might explain why they haven't quite clicked into gear yet.
19:06But they do desperately need some experience.
19:08How do you see things?
19:10Yeah, no, exactly that.
19:14Lindsay said when he was talking about that,
19:17from after signing Kyle Scott, we didn't make a signing for six weeks.
19:21It slowed right down through nobody's fault,
19:23but we needed the momentum to continue.
19:26I mean, when you say that, what,
19:27was he going to sign 12 more players in six weeks?
19:29I know what he's saying.
19:32Obviously, he had this squad together,
19:34and at that point, it looked like a complete squad.
19:37But he obviously wanted more players in,
19:39and for whatever reasons, it didn't happen.
19:42But, yeah, bringing in experience is great.
19:46But where are you going to get a good experienced League Two player
19:48at this point of the season, of the transfer window?
19:51So it's going to be difficult.
19:54I mean, Scott always talks about how long it takes to sign a player as well
19:58because you have to make sure they're the right fit for the changing room,
20:03right fit for his system,
20:04whether they can develop the way Scott Lindsay wants to play, et cetera.
20:09So there's a lot of factors that go into signing a player.
20:12So whether they've got a few players that they've been looking at all summer
20:15and they haven't been able to get it over the line
20:17and maybe a couple are coming in.
20:19But when I spoke to him, what was it about?
20:23No, it was last week, I think.
20:24I think he said maybe one or two more.
20:26But from the way he was speaking after Saturday's result,
20:29you sense that he wants a little bit more than that.
20:31And it's the experience that they need.
20:33But experience is going to cost them money.
20:35So it's very, very difficult.
20:39But like I said earlier,
20:41he worked wonders with that team squad in the promotion winning season,
20:45which is similar in the sense that we've got players who did well in non-league,
20:51who have sort of been on the outskirts of other teams on the sort of squad players
20:56and that.
20:56So hopefully he can do the same.
20:57It's just taking a little bit longer to gel this time, maybe.
21:01But there's some great, good players there.
21:02I mean, Kabat Shemanga, he's struggled up front.
21:06He scored his goal against Swansea.
21:08But he's working really hard.
21:10He's holding the ball up well.
21:11But he just can't seem to score at the moment.
21:15And Harry McCurdy, like Sam just said, should have scored against Tranmere.
21:20So it's just one of those things where, I mean,
21:24we could probably still be saying this in two weeks' time,
21:26but it's just got to click.
21:28It's just got to click.
21:29And I think I was saying to you earlier, Matt,
21:31I think Orsi took a while to score his first goal for Crawley.
21:36And when he did, he didn't stop scoring.
21:38And if you look at, I think it was the second half of that promotion-winning season,
21:41Crawley were incredible.
21:43And I'm not saying that the fans are going to be patient enough to wait until January
21:48for them to really kick on.
21:50But the signs are there that we know what Scott Lindsay can do with a squad of players
21:57that haven't got experience, that he can coach and get them playing in their system.
22:00So I'm confident.
22:04But the same fans that said that Will Swan was useless.
22:08So I've always liked Will Swan.
22:12I thought he was good.
22:14I know this might, it's probably very premature and quite alarmist,
22:18but at what point do you think that we can or should start panicking
22:23if they're in the same position?
22:26I think, I mean, you look at the next two games,
22:30I know we're going to come on to Chesterfield,
22:31but they've got Chesterfield away and Harrogate away.
22:33Yeah.
22:34Two really tough trips.
22:37Two long trips against tough sides.
22:40So I don't think you can put any much judgment if they go the next two games
22:47without winless.
22:48But then they've got Cheltenham at home.
22:51Yeah.
22:51And I think they've got an EFL trophy game against Aston Villa under-21s.
22:55And I can't remember who it is after that.
22:57But if they don't get a good result against Cheltenham,
23:02because Cheltenham are one of the few teams that have got a worse record
23:05than Crawley this season so far,
23:07I think that's when the alarm bells start to ring a little bit.
23:11The next couple of home games are going to be absolutely key for them.
23:14And yeah, we know what the fans are like.
23:16Well, all football fans are like it.
23:18You go, what, get into six, seven games without a win.
23:22This panic really sets in and alarm bells going.
23:26But it's, like Scott said, it's a 40, what is it, 46-game season?
23:32Yeah.
23:32Yeah, there's a lot of football left to play.
23:36I mean, the start hasn't helped them with their confidence in that,
23:38but I still think they will be fine.
23:41But I don't think they will be as fine as I thought they were
23:43at the beginning of the season.
23:45Yes.
23:45Yeah.
23:46It makes for an interesting season, at least.
23:48They're awful worse.
23:50Going back to transfers, last week saw the Reds bring in defender
23:53Geraldo Badrami on a season-long line for Burton Albion.
23:57The 25-year-old made his debut off the bench against Trammer on Saturday.
24:00Sam Morton, what did Lindsay have to say about the signing?
24:03And what did the new boy himself have to say about making the move
24:06to the Port of Stadion?
24:08Yeah, so this is an interesting one, as you say.
24:10Badrami can play in a variety of defensive and defensive infield positions.
24:15The 25-year-old signed for the Brewers in June 2024 from Notts County,
24:19having previously represented Birmingham City and the kid in Master Harriers.
24:23But Lindsay said he can play as a midfield player and as a centre-back,
24:26so he can provide a lot of cover for a lot of positions.
24:28But he's not saying that he signed him as cover.
24:31So he's obviously someone that could potentially be a regular in the team.
24:36And in terms of the player himself, he's absolutely buzzing to finally get it done.
24:40He's been in the pipeline for a while.
24:42And he knows the situation last couple of years hasn't been too great in terms of injuries.
24:46But he's really thankful for the opportunity to prove himself again
24:50and just wants to repay Crawley by performing on the pitch.
24:55But he describes himself as a cool, calm, collected and aggressive when he needs to be
24:59with a good range of passing.
25:00He says, I'm a winner.
25:02And he said, in terms of the season so far, how it's been for him,
25:05he's been quite steady.
25:06Recovering from injury he had last season.
25:09Training more pre-season with the first 45 minutes, as you mentioned.
25:14So he feels good and just wants to play more.
25:17So, yeah, an encouraging one for Crawley.
25:19And hopefully he can be an important player this season.
25:22Yeah, absolutely.
25:23Let's hope he can make a positive impact.
25:24And as you mentioned, Mark, the Reds are off to Chesterfield this Saturday.
25:29And, yeah, they've had quite a good start.
25:31The Spire writes it second, having won four of their opening five games
25:33with just goal difference separating them and early league leaders' crew.
25:38What's the latest injury news from the Reds?
25:39And is there any hope for Crawley at Chesterfield this weekend?
25:44I'd like to be of the opinion that after backing Crawley to win loads
25:47and not winning, that if we say they're going to get absolutely spanked,
25:50they're going to end up getting a result at Chesterfield.
25:52I think that's how it works.
25:54Yes, that's absolutely how it works.
25:56They're going to, yeah, they're going to get absolutely battered.
25:58No, I mean, there's always hope, isn't there?
26:01Crawley always, I say they always sort of seem to step up against the top side.
26:05It hasn't worked so far this year.
26:07But they have had a really tough start.
26:09And this, the last trip you'd want, I think,
26:13when you're in the form you are, is away at Chesterfield this season.
26:17Really experienced side, experienced manager in Paul Cook.
26:22He talked about the comparison with the amount of league appearances
26:25against Tranmere.
26:26I counted up the league appearances for Chesterfield starting 11
26:31from last Saturday.
26:32And I think it was 1,500 league appearances compared to Crawley's 490,
26:38whatever it was.
26:39And the two Chesterfield centre-backs, Carl McFasden, former Crawley man,
26:45and Che Dunkley, they've got over 700 appearances alone between them.
26:50So, when you're not scoring and you're coming up against a very experienced defence,
26:57that's not great, is it?
26:58So, yeah, it's going to be interesting how Lindsay plays this one,
27:01whether he tries to change anything because of that,
27:04because he's highlighted the difference in experience and know-how.
27:08Does he bring in Louis Flower to play up top on his own?
27:10Maybe Harry McCurdy as a striker?
27:13And because we've got Gavin Houlihan, we'll be back from his suspension this week.
27:18So, yeah, he's got some decisions to make.
27:20But injury-wise, Jay Williams, I believe, is still out.
27:24Don Pereira, we haven't seen yet.
27:26I'm not sure if he's back or not.
27:29But otherwise, I think he will probably – he loves sticking to a team he's picking.
27:37And we haven't seen many changes to the line-up so far this year,
27:40but something's got to change if they want to start getting results.
27:44But is Chester filled the team to change it against and try something new?
27:48Because it could absolutely backfire.
27:50I mean, I mentioned Karl McFasden.
27:52When him and Pablo Mills were centre-backs for Crawley,
27:56it was the best defence Crawley had since I've been covering them.
28:01They were the partnership that got them up from the National League or Conference,
28:04whenever it was then, to League 2 and then League 1.
28:08They both played at Old Trafford together.
28:11Fantastic.
28:12What a partnership.
28:13And I was surprised that he was still playing.
28:15He's 38 now, Karl McFasden.
28:17But easily one of the best players Crawley have had, I would say.
28:22So, yeah, it's going to be a really, really tough trip.
28:27If I'm really pessimistic, I'd say, yeah,
28:29a draw is absolutely the best Crawley can get there.
28:33But you never know.
28:34It might be the day it all fires for Schamanga and he scores a hat-trick.
28:38Let's hope so.
28:38Yeah, let's hope so indeed.
28:40Yes.
28:41And finally, as is tradition, score predictions.
28:43And we will start in the Premier League on Sunday with Bryan against Man City.
28:47Derren, I think this could quite literally be anything.
28:50I would hate to be the match by making the prediction.
28:52Yeah, I'm going to go for a lively 2-2, but I certainly wouldn't put any of my money on it, I don't think.
29:01But, yeah, I'm going to go for a 2-2.
29:02I think it's going to be an entertaining game.
29:05Yes, I think that we know that for certain, Sam.
29:06I think it'll be entertaining.
29:08How do you see this one?
29:09Yeah, I think it will be a good game, an end-to-end game.
29:13Man City will be looking to bounce back after that pretty poor performance against Verge, you have to say.
29:19And obviously, Brighton will be looking for their first win of the season.
29:22So, I do think that makes for an entertaining game.
29:25I think they'll have settled for a one-all draw.
29:27What do you reckon, Mark?
29:30I think it'll be an entertaining one as well.
29:32I think one team will edge it and it will be 3-2.
29:35I think there'll definitely be goals in it.
29:38Or I can't pick, I don't know, Manchester, Albion, more Brighton City will win 3-2.
29:45Top fencing.
29:46It will go either way, but I think there will be a winner.
29:49Yes.
29:50Okay, excellent.
29:52And finally, finally, Crawley at Chesterfield.
29:55Yeah, yeah, Mark.
29:59I'm going to be optimistic and go, they're going to battle out a really boring nil-nil draw and get a really confidence-boosting point.
30:09But I know the other two aren't going to agree with me on this one, including yourself, Matt, probably.
30:14They'd take a nil-nil, Sam, wouldn't they?
30:16What do you reckon?
30:17They would take that and run.
30:19But yeah, let's be optimistic.
30:21I'll go with another one-all draw.
30:23And yeah, smash and grab.
30:26Smash and grab.
30:27Chesterfield will dominate, but Crawley will make it go.
30:30Come on, Darren.
30:31It's a bit realistic.
30:32Yeah, that's a bit realistic, Darren.
30:34If Grimsby can beat Manchester United, then surely Crawley can go and beat Chesterfield.
30:40But I don't think it will happen.
30:42I'm going to go 2-0 Chesterfield.
30:432-0 Chesterfield.
30:432-0 Chesterfield will do you.
30:45Well, fingers crossed for Crawley on Saturday and best of luck to Brighton on Sunday.
30:50Thank you very much for joining us this week, chaps.
30:52Don't forget you can catch up with all the latest sports news covering everything we've
30:55talked about today at sussexworld.co.uk forward slash sport.
30:59Thank you very much for listening and watching, and we will see you all next week.
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