- 15 hours ago
Matt Pole is joined by Brighton writer Derren Howard, Sam Morton, who covers both Albion and Crawley Town, and Reds expert Mark Dunford.
Brighton left it late to snatch a draw at the Premier League’s basement club Wolves on Sunday, while Saturday saw Crawley fall to yet another disappointing League Two defeat, this time at Cambridge United.
This week, we look back at Brighton and Crawley’s trips to the Black County and Cambridgeshire respectively, reflect on Albion’s 2025-26 season so far, and bring you news of a backroom departure at the Reds.
Brighton left it late to snatch a draw at the Premier League’s basement club Wolves on Sunday, while Saturday saw Crawley fall to yet another disappointing League Two defeat, this time at Cambridge United.
This week, we look back at Brighton and Crawley’s trips to the Black County and Cambridgeshire respectively, reflect on Albion’s 2025-26 season so far, and bring you news of a backroom departure at the Reds.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Welcome to another episode of the Goldmouth Action Podcast, where we took a look at all the latest goings-on at Brighton, Hove, Albion and Crawley Town.
00:07I'm Matt Poul, and this week I'm joined by Brighton writer Darren Howard, Sam Morton, who covers both Albion and Crawley Town, and Reds expert Mark Dunford.
00:15Brighton left it late to snatch a draw at the Premier League's basement club Wolves on Sunday,
00:19while Saturday saw Crawley fall to yet another disappointing lead to defeat, this time at Cambridge United.
00:25This week we'll look back at Brighton and Crawley's trip to the Black Country and Cambridgeshire respectively,
00:30reflect on Albion's 2025-26 season so far and bring you news of a backroom departure at the Reds.
00:37You can read all the stories we're talking about with videos and pictures online at sussexworld.co.uk forward slash sport.
00:43Jan-Paul Van Hecht's late header denied Wolves a first Premier League win of the season, as the hosts had Vito Pereira sent off at Molineux.
00:49Barbara Bruggen's unfortunate first-half own goal looked like giving the hosts a first-league victory since April,
00:55but Van Hecht's bullet header found the bottom corner with four minutes left and Albion a point.
01:00The draw means Brighton have now lost just once in the last 12 league games at Wolves,
01:03but by the sounds of it, Darren, it sounds like the Seagulls are far from their best.
01:08Sum that Brighton performance up for us, please.
01:11Yeah, yeah, you were right, Matt.
01:13They were far from their best and it had the two certainties of Brighton this season,
01:18that they struggled against the low block and Carlos Belieber was substituted at half-time again as well.
01:23So if everything else in unpredictable in the world, those two are bound to happen at the moment.
01:31But yeah, they were a bit below par and it was...
01:34The goal, it was unfortunate.
01:37It was actually a very good save from Barbara Bruggen.
01:41He tipped the powerful effort onto the crossbar, hit the crossbar, came off his back and then into the goal.
01:48So unlucky for Bruggen, he's yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
01:52So yeah, it's a bit of a problem, but it was kind of the worst possible situation at Wolves as well,
02:01because they got their noses in front and then sort of as they're perfectly entitled to do,
02:06they just defended, defended and, you know, really sat back and made life awkward for Brighton.
02:12They were still a threat on the break.
02:14Strand Larson was very, very lively going forward.
02:18Dealing with him, but yeah, it was just that cutting edge from Brighton again as well.
02:28Their attack in play is nowhere near as good as it was.
02:31Yankou Baminte was a handful.
02:33Carol Matoma was injured, so there was Gruda came in for him and he was...
02:39In flashes, Gruda looked okay, but he never really looked like being capable of unlocking the defence.
02:45Danny Welbeck was quiet up front again as well.
02:48But they finally got their reward.
02:50They kept pushing, kept pushing.
02:52And as you mentioned, it was a great header from Van Hecker.
02:56He was one of the players that really stood out for Brighton that day.
03:00He was a real leader and his equaliser was quite important as well.
03:07So Derb, their point, and it moved...
03:11A big win at Wolves could have moved them up to seventh.
03:13It now puts them into 12th place, which doesn't look great, but a point is still good.
03:19It was frustrating.
03:20There was no lack of effort.
03:21It was a tough game.
03:22And, you know, some of the Brighton players were really blowing at the end.
03:25They put in...
03:26Put everything into it.
03:28Lots of endeavour, but little in terms of quality, I'm sure.
03:31Well, Brighton's road in Wolverhampton came off the back of an excellent win at Chelsea.
03:36Derren's kind of alluded to there, Sam.
03:38Is there a sense of frustration that Seagulls have once again not kicked on after a statement of victory?
03:43You just got a look at the win over City and didn't quite do it after that.
03:47Would supporters have been satisfied with the mental strength that Albion have showed,
03:50having gone a goal down away from home?
03:53Yeah, it's a bit of a mix of emotions, isn't it?
03:56I think, once again, there is frustration because Brighton, obviously, as you say,
04:01have had a brilliant win there at Stafford Bridge and they've done really well to win that game from a goal down.
04:07And you're kind of just looking for them to really build on that.
04:10And Welbeck, obviously, started the match as a reward, really, for his rowics at the end of that match at Stafford Bridge.
04:18But he wasn't very good, to be honest, at Wolves.
04:21He was really kind of off the pace and started off with that half-hearted clearance with a header
04:27that obviously then smashed in on goal for the opening goal.
04:30And as Derren said, Verbruggen did make a good save and it was really unlucky.
04:35But to be fair, Wolves could have had two or three when they hit the post in the second half.
04:40Verbruggen made another couple of good saves.
04:42And there was also a huge chance that Wolves had to go tune in and out for this guy over the bar.
04:50So there's definitely concern there for Bryson.
04:52Obviously, they're playing against a team that have failed to win yet this season.
04:55And they, for a lot of it, were second best.
04:58And yes, they did do well to get that equaliser.
05:01And it was a brilliant header and a lovely cross from Stefano Simas,
05:05who we're looking to see more from, I think, to see more of, I should say,
05:09because he's not really had too many opportunities, to be honest.
05:13But he's come in and done really well in the glimpses that we've seen from him.
05:18And he's definitely added something a bit different to that attack
05:22that isn't quite firing on all cylinders yet.
05:25There's definitely been some moments and glimpses of brilliance from certain individuals,
05:30but it's not quite clicked just yet.
05:32I think Jorginho has definitely had a rusty start.
05:35And he was obviously on the bench for this one and came on and played with a bit of a point to prove.
05:40And there were some moments where he kind of kept holding the ball too long,
05:45but you could just see how desperate he was to try and unlock that door.
05:48And he was definitely energetic and had a really good shot saved superbly by Sam Johnston.
05:53And he kind of felt that that was a big chance.
05:56And time was running out, but they managed to get the equaliser in the end.
06:00And it's definitely a point gained, I think, in this scenario, because he very easily could have lost it.
06:06Yeah, absolutely.
06:07And there have been calls in some quarters, mainly online, I've seen this,
06:10to drop Seagull skipper Lewis Dunk.
06:13Lewis Dunk has been in the Abbey starting XI for just two clean sheets in the calendar year,
06:17the 0-0 draw with Brentford in December and a 1-0 win at Newcastle last October.
06:21I think it's quite plain to see that Brighton do have defensive problems,
06:24having recorded just four clean sheets in 28 Premier League games.
06:27So he's taking the captain out of the firing line, the answer, Derren.
06:31Quite a big summer splash is for Diego Coppola and Olivier Buscagli.
06:36They're yet to make their Premier League debuts.
06:38Is it maybe time to give those two a go at some stage?
06:42Yeah, it's an interesting one, isn't it?
06:44I can see where the fans are coming from.
06:46And last season, I would probably have agreed with them.
06:48I would have said, yes, you know, Dunk is maybe part of the problem.
06:52But I honestly, the first six or seven games, I really don't see it this year.
06:57I think he's had a good pre-season and he looks the fittest he has for some time.
07:04And I actually think he's playing much better than he was last season.
07:08And the partnership with Van Heek is a good one.
07:13I know they haven't kept a clean sheet, but I think you can also look at the situation in front of them
07:18where the midfield has been not at its best as well.
07:23You know, they've had Yassi Nairi has probably been their most consistent midfielder,
07:27but Carlos Beliba, who last season offered, you know, quite a bit of protection in front of them.
07:34He hasn't helped, in my opinion.
07:37But yeah, I think Dunk is doing okay.
07:40I think I can see why the fans are saying, having watched them, you know, against the likes of Manchester City,
07:48I thought against Erling Haaland, Dunk and Van Heek were an excellent, excellent combination.
07:53The best I've seen those two play together for quite some time.
07:57And actually, it was Van Heek who actually had probably a few shaky moments this season.
08:02He conceded the penalty at Bournemouth, and then he's then scored the own goal against Tottenham as well.
08:08But he showed his character, and then he's hit back against, you know,
08:12and got the equaliser against Wolves as well.
08:15So, for me, I think it's probably the best centre-back pairing that Brighton have got at the moment.
08:21Coppola, he came in for £10 million and Boscagli on a free from PSV.
08:27Coppola's played twice in the Premier League.
08:29He's been introduced as a late substitute on two occasions.
08:34And I think he's one for the future.
08:35He looks very physical.
08:37And sometimes in the last five to ten minutes, Herzl has brought him on just to shore up the defence
08:42and try and hold on in the closing stages, as they did against Manchester City.
08:47And yeah, he looks good.
08:49He looks good.
08:49He moves well.
08:50He's physical, six foot four and nice and strong.
08:54And he's played in the Carabao.
08:55He started both the Carabao Cup wins, as has Boscagli as well.
08:58And I think there's more to come from them, particularly for Boscagli.
09:03He'll be frustrated that he hasn't had a chance in the Premier League.
09:08And hopefully he will be able to improve himself.
09:11But yeah, I think for now, though, with Newcastle coming up, I think doesn't start for me.
09:18But that's, yeah, that's my view.
09:20While we're on the subject of potential tweaks to the team, Sam, do you think there are other tweaks that Selah can make to the side?
09:28You mentioned potentially giving one of the Greek lads a go instead of Jorginia.
09:32I've also seen some people suggest maybe bringing in Jason Steele for Bruggan.
09:35What changes would you make, if any?
09:42Oh, you're on mute.
09:45Sorry, chaps.
09:46Yeah, no, it's a tricky one for Fabian, I think, to kind of find that right balance.
09:50Obviously, he's got a few different options that he can go to.
09:53And we've seen, obviously, him switch up a little bit, obviously, as you mentioned, with Welbeck coming in.
09:59I can't imagine he'll start from me off again for the next one, I think, because he made such an impact off the bench at Chelsea.
10:07There might be a feeling he can probably do that again.
10:11So it'd be interesting to see if Jorginia goes back into that false nine role.
10:15But yeah, I definitely would like to see him start a match in the Premier League and just to see what he can do from the off.
10:21Because, as I say, we've seen glimpses.
10:24It was, yeah, showing what he can do in setting his teammates up as well.
10:29It was such a great cross for Van Heek.
10:31So, yeah, you'd like to see him get an opportunity in the team.
10:35And interesting to see if he keeps starting Belieber and taking him off or if he's going to try and maybe bring him on.
10:41And it's definitely a problem for Brighton at the moment.
10:44They're still not able to get the best from Belieber.
10:47And he definitely wasn't the worst performer by any means.
10:50And he did obviously make the comment that it was to do with the yellow card that he decided to bring him off at half-time.
10:57But he wasn't the only one that was in the book.
10:59There's, I think, at least three others.
11:01And Fabio wasn't happy with that either, with the referee giving out yellow cards quite quick.
11:05But I don't think he can have any complaint about the manner of the yellow card that Belieber got, to be honest.
11:11It was quite a late challenge.
11:12And it kind of sums things up for him at the moment.
11:15So, it'll be interesting to see if he starts again.
11:19But, yeah, I think I'd definitely like to see Coppola or even Biscali get a chance in the Premier League just to see what they can do in defence.
11:25Obviously, Lewis Dunk isn't getting any younger.
11:27He's not going to be able to start every game.
11:29We saw, obviously, Adam Webster start to come in on a more regular basis.
11:33So, it'll be interesting to see if they can start to mould Coppola or Biscali into the team.
11:40But, obviously, Van Heek's going to be there to stay.
11:43There's no move in him, and rightly so, too.
11:45But, in terms of the goalkeeper, I think there's nothing to worry about there.
11:49I think Barbra Bruggen should keep his place in the team.
11:51I think, as you mentioned, he did have actually quite a good game against Wolves, and the goal was quite unlucky, to be honest.
11:57I don't think he could have done much about it.
11:59So, yeah, I've not got any concern with the goalkeeper.
12:02And I don't think that there should be any changes in that department at the moment.
12:06Well, we now move into an international break, which, as Darren said, means Brighton's men's first team won't take to the field again until the 18th of October at home to Newcastle in Premier League.
12:16And as the action pauses and we have a chance to reflect, Darren, how would you assess Albion's season so far?
12:20As you mentioned, they're 12th in the league after seven games, but they're also through to the round of 16 in the Carabao Cup.
12:25What do you make of their campaign at this still fairly early stage?
12:32Yes. Yeah. So, yeah, inconsistent.
12:35Three draws, two wins and two defeats so far for Brighton.
12:39They probably deserved a couple more points, but overall, they just haven't been clinical or good enough in the key moments.
12:45But it's sort of the little details which has frustrated them, really, you know, and I think that highlighted against sort of Fulham and Tottenham where the games that they were winning should have closed out for the win, but just didn't have the game management to do so.
13:00And I think that's what's frustrating a lot of the fans and why some of the fans are on Herzella's back a little bit.
13:06But you cannot argue with the spirit of the team, though.
13:10They show up and they compete.
13:12And I don't think there's been one occasion so far this season where they've lost for the lack of trying.
13:18You know, I think the main thing is that the key players at the moment, the big players who you need to perform have been off the pace.
13:25Sam mentioned Carlos Believer, you can't hide from that.
13:28He's been poor, probably a bit of a liability to keep starting all the time at the moment.
13:35But Mitoma, the same.
13:37Jorginho struggled for goals.
13:39Welbeck, too.
13:41Other than his brace against sort of 10 men against Chelsea, where there was a bit of extra space for him.
13:46He's really, really, really struggled.
13:49And I think the attacking situation was always going to be a gamble.
13:52They sold Pedro, Evan Ferguson went out on loan as well.
13:56And the Greek lads, you know, they weren't ready.
14:00They're untested in the Premier League.
14:03So, but at some stage, you've got to think that Herzella's got to be tempted just to say,
14:08OK, let's just give them a go.
14:11Because otherwise you're not going to find out.
14:12You know, Tissimas, I think, is probably ahead of Kostulas at the moment in the fitness and in terms of being ready.
14:21So, I'd probably like to see him start against Newcastle and have a good run out.
14:27So, that would be interesting to see how they go.
14:30But I think, personally, Herzella was left a bit short there, really, by the club.
14:34I think they didn't replace Pedro.
14:37Ferguson was never really in the plans.
14:39So, and I think just to have that reliance on Danny Welbeck, who's 34, Jorginho should have done a bit better,
14:47but he hasn't tried him in different roles, higher up the pitch, back in his number 10 role.
14:53So, yeah, I think he's been left a bit short on that.
14:56But on the plus side, I think Minté's looked very good.
14:59He's been absolutely electric this season, easily Brighton's most dangerous player.
15:03De Kuiper looks a real bargain at left back.
15:06And I think Kadioglu as well, he deserves a mention as well.
15:09I think he's been impressive.
15:11So, there's been some good, but, yeah, lots to work on.
15:15Going back to the Greek lads, surely they've spent a lot of money on that Kostulas there, didn't they?
15:20Surely the amount they spent means at some point they'll surely have to play, won't they?
15:24You can't spend that amount of money on a kid for him not to play.
15:27Exactly.
15:28So, 50 million for the pair of them, 30 million for Kostulas.
15:32And there has to be a time where they think, okay, they've been through.
15:35He keeps calling it an adaptation process where they're getting up to speed.
15:40And you just sort of think, I'll just let them go because the others aren't really doing much.
15:44And you just think, just give them a chance to see what they can do.
15:48And you get to the point where it's sort of, well, they can't do any worse than what the others are doing.
15:52So, it's, you know, just give them young, hungry, obviously talented.
15:59Yeah, just unleash them, put them out there and see how they go.
16:03But, yeah.
16:04Yeah.
16:04So, that would be an interesting call.
16:06I think after this international break, you may see them sort of playing a bit more.
16:10Kostulas was in the Premier League matchday squad for the first time at Wolves.
16:15So, hopefully that's a sign that those two are both working their way into the first team.
16:20Yeah, absolutely.
16:22Hashtag free the Greeks.
16:23We'll get that trend on Twitter there.
16:26Moving on to Crawley Town.
16:28A 3-1 loss at Cambridge consigned the Reds to a seventh defeat in 11 games.
16:33Shane Lavery, Killian Kuwassi and Pelly Mpanzu struck for the usual Kabby Shemanga netted Crawley's consolation goal.
16:40The defeat leaves the Reds fourth from bottom in league two and just two points above the drop.
16:44You were at the Abbey Stadium, weren't you, Mark, for this one on commentary duty.
16:47It sounds like another incredibly dispiriting afternoon for everyone involved at Crawley Town.
16:55It was, yeah.
16:56First of all, I just like to say, I wish my first two names were Kelly Rudder because my life would be a lot more interesting, I think.
17:02Yeah, it was just such a strange afternoon because I know I do this a lot, but I look at the stats and Crawley had 71% possession.
17:13They had twice as many shots on goal as Cambridge and I had.
17:16They had 495 passes compared to Cambridge's 203.
17:24So you look at that and you think Crawley have absolutely dominated that game.
17:28But at no point did you feel that Crawley were going to win that game on Saturday.
17:32It was bizarre.
17:33I mean, and I think it was the manner of the goals as well that Cambridge scored that was just really dispiriting and demoralising for the players, the fans, the bench, the staff, everybody.
17:46You could just, there was just a real sense of, oh God, every time Cambridge went forward.
17:53They scored up to 12 minutes, Cambridge.
17:55There was a corner that came in.
17:58There was a little bit of luck because it, I think it hit, was it Badrami?
18:02It was a hit somebody in the court of defence on the chest and it just fell at the feet of a Cambridge player who just had to hit the target and he did.
18:11And then it was the start of the second half.
18:12Crawley had dominated again after that without really creating anything clear cut.
18:18And then at the start of the second half, Cambridge was just hitting with a double blow and it was two really poor goals.
18:25One of the first one was a corner which they just failed to clear again.
18:29And the second one, they were just opened up and Scott Lindsay raised it afterwards actually.
18:33He said, you look at that third goal because a winger went down, beat Josh Flint, crossed it in and then the fans who came in and just cyphered it at home.
18:44And there was nobody else in the picture other than the three defenders.
18:47None of the midfielders have come back to try and there was time for them to do it because the winger came, came sort of had to take it around Josh Flint.
18:55So there was plenty of time and that's what Scott said afterwards.
18:58They weren't running, nobody was running for me today and if they're not going to run for me, then I'm going to play for me.
19:04But again, I know we're going to come on to what Scott said about divine intervention, but Dion Conroy hit the post when it looked like it was harder to not score.
19:14Josh Flint had a free header, which he should have got at least got on the target.
19:21But it was just, yeah, it was just really odd.
19:23But yeah, on the stats as well, the corner count, Paulie had 10 corners.
19:28Cambridge had two, they scored from both their corners, Cambridge.
19:30And Scott, I hope he doesn't mind me saying this, but afterwards, after we stopped recording and everything on Saturday, he said, weren't our corners rubbish?
19:40He said, yeah, he said, I think we have 10 corners and 12 of them to keep acclaimed sort of thing.
19:44So it was a little bit tongue in cheek, obviously there, but it was just, just a really frustrating performance.
19:52And it got really touchy.
19:54Jack Rolls came on and seemed determined to just annoy everybody.
20:00The fans, the Crawley fans had to be split apart.
20:04The young and the old, the young were singing songs.
20:07Oh, did they?
20:07Yeah, we could see something happening in the stewards, but Steve Herbert, our columnist, wrote this week that some of the younger fans need to grow up a little bit.
20:16And when we're losing, you've got to realise that sometimes that happens rather than just don't turn on your team like they did.
20:23I didn't hear about the sun.
20:24I don't know what he said, but the stewards had to stand in between them at one point.
20:28And that was in the Crawley away family.
20:30It's just like, what's going on?
20:32But I know we're going to get on to Leighton Orient later, much more positive than Leighton Orient.
20:36So, not all is lost, but Saturday was just a really odd, dispiriting day for Crawley Town.
20:42And if you watch Scott Lindsay's video on our website, it just seemed, it wasn't even if he was broken.
20:49He was just fed up, I think.
20:50Fed up and cross and angry and disappointed, yeah, as were most people involved with Crawley that day.
20:57Yeah, well, Mark might be optimistic.
20:59Scott Lindsay, in his post-match interview, was decidedly the opposite.
21:02He said Crawley were weak, easy to score against, and as Mark said, suggested divine intermission might be needed to turn their fortunes around.
21:09I don't think any of us predicted this, Sam.
21:11I think it's safe to say.
21:13Where and why has it gone wrong, so wrong, for the rest of the season?
21:17And at what point do we say Crawley are in crisis?
21:20As we mentioned, it was their seventh defeat in 11 league games.
21:23It makes for particularly grim reading at the moment, doesn't it?
21:26It certainly does, yeah.
21:28Yeah, it's not something we could envisage coming, as you say, really.
21:32I think when Scott Lindsay came back, we know he's worked miracles in League Two before.
21:37And we were kind of expecting him to do it again.
21:40Obviously, he was unlucky not to keep them up in League One.
21:42And I suppose there was just the expectation that they would then have a good season in League Two
21:47and just hit the ground running.
21:48But it really hasn't worked out like that at all.
21:51And I think when your own manager is coming out post-match and saying you're weak and easy to score against,
21:56it just tells you how deep the problems go.
21:58And obviously, Scott, he's not just being emotional, he's being honest as well.
22:02And he's just saying what a lot of the fans have been thinking and feeling and seeing the pro for weeks now, to be honest.
22:10And defensively, it's obviously not been great.
22:13There's no real consistency there and no authority in key moments.
22:17And just I think when they concede early, the heads drop.
22:23And we've seen that little party often where things aren't going their way and it just falls apart and crumbles really quickly,
22:30which is something that Scott has been really angry to see and hasn't seen enough fight in key moments.
22:37And they definitely are conceding kind of cheap, avoidable goals as well.
22:41And that's something which needs to change.
22:45And just to be able to score more goals.
22:47But that's been a real issue, they've not been able to score enough goals to win games.
22:52Scott's talked about an invisible wall between them and the goal.
22:57And everything seems to have just been going against them, really.
23:01It really hasn't worked out at all so far.
23:03And are they in crisis?
23:05It's obviously not a word you want to kind of throw around.
23:07But if they're not already, then they're absolutely teetering on the edge of one, I think, form-wise.
23:12It's pretty grim reading.
23:13And if it continues much longer, they'll find themselves in a relegation scrap and they could be out in the Football League if they're not careful.
23:19Yeah, that'd be dreadful.
23:20And Mark, I also saw that Gavin Hollohan spoke to the media afterwards.
23:23And I'm paraphrasing, but basically, I think you said that they had the quality within the squad, but the players needed to stand up and be counted.
23:31Do the players need to carry the can a little bit as well?
23:35I know that Scott's got a fair bit of grief.
23:36But the players also, do you think they need to take some accountability for their recent form?
23:41They absolutely do, yeah.
23:43Very much so.
23:45Like Scott said, there was a few on Saturday that just didn't look committed to the cause.
23:52I know that's a big accusation.
23:53But sometimes when they lost the ball, you could just see that they weren't running back.
23:58Tracking back that third goal was the prime example where there was nobody in the box to sort of help the defence out.
24:05Going back to what you mentioned about the Lewis Dunk conversation,
24:08there are people calling for Dion Conroy not to be playing at the moment.
24:12He doesn't seem to be on his top form.
24:14And he is the Lewis Dunk equivalent for Brawley Town.
24:17He's Scott Lindsay's general in the middle.
24:19He's the captain of the club captain.
24:21But he doesn't seem to, he's not hit the form he did, certainly during the promotion season.
24:27And he hasn't seemed as reliable and calm on the ball as he has been in previous seasons.
24:33So it's just a flick in form, hopefully.
24:36But something's not clicking.
24:38And Scott said that on Saturday, actually.
24:40He just said, we just don't seem to click at the moment.
24:42And like Gavin Houlihan said, they've just got to stick together.
24:46They've got to stick together.
24:47I keep saying Houlihan, it's Hollerhang.
24:50Hollerhang.
24:51But they've just got to stand up and be counted now.
24:54Everybody's got to stick together and just really work hard now to get them out of this horrible situation.
25:01Yeah, absolutely.
25:02And before we move on to the Leighton Orient game on Tuesday night, Monday saw Sporting Director Tobias Phoenix leave the Reds by mutual consent.
25:09The former Director of Football Operations at Bolton joined Crawley during last season when the Reds were relegated from League One.
25:15He leaves just over two months after KB Sports and Leisure completed a takeover of the club and is the latest change in a turbulent year for the Reds after former co-owner Preston Johnson resigned in July over the club's transfer strategy.
25:28What was the reaction for Phoenix's departure, Mark?
25:32What was his legacy?
25:34I think that might be a short answer.
25:36And where did the Reds go from here in terms of their recruitment?
25:40With his legacy, God knows, because nobody got to know him.
25:44Nobody knew what he did.
25:45I mean, I know he's a sporting director, so I'm assuming he was involved in transfers, in recruitment, the day-to-day running of the team, et cetera, and that.
25:54But, yeah, I requested a couple of times.
25:57So when Preston Johnson and Ben Levin were the chairman and vice chairman, I asked a couple of times, could we have an interview with Tobias?
26:04Everybody wants to know who he is, what he does, et cetera.
26:07And I was told, oh, well, ask him, but he's quite a private person, so I'm not too hopeful that you want to do one.
26:15But, yeah, I mean, he hit the headlines when he allegedly offered a fan out in the car park after a fan took exception to him and Preston appearing to be laughing after they conceded the goal against Cambridge.
26:29Apparently, the internal investigation said all he did was, let's chat about this outside of the ground.
26:37So, but who knows what happened there?
26:39We don't know the full story.
26:40But the actual reaction was generally, I think, yeah, general reaction was good.
26:49But, yeah, well, yeah, I mean, after Saturday's game, there were a couple of fans, I think we discussed this now on Monday, that just went on social media and just said, this is not Scott's fault.
26:59This is not the player's fault.
27:00This is Tobias Fingers' fault.
27:02Yeah.
27:02Why it's his fault, I don't know.
27:04And maybe we will, but maybe his legacy will be once he left, things turned around and it was his fault.
27:10Who knows?
27:11But, again, it might not get any better.
27:13It might get worse.
27:14So, and in terms of how it will change the recruitment, Preston Johnson left because he didn't like the way the recruitment was going.
27:26The recruitment doesn't seem to have worked so far.
27:29So, maybe that's why they parted ways.
27:34Or that must be the reason why they parted ways because it isn't working out outdated or hope.
27:38So, I don't know what this means going forward.
27:41I mean, is Scott in charge of transfers now?
27:43If someone else is, something to ask Scott when we next speak to him and does it mean a lot more work for Scott Lindsay, which he probably doesn't need right now because he needs to coach those players into putting in really good performances.
27:56So, it's, yeah, it's a really, I was, I mean, I was and wasn't surprised on Monday morning because, one, I didn't know, you never knew he was there.
28:06Other than those big smiley photos when the new owners came in, in August.
28:12But, yeah, it, yeah, we'll see in the next few games whether, how much influence the by-screeners have over this team, I imagine.
28:20Moving back to matters on the pitch, Crawley Tan's miserable week was compounded on Tuesday night as ex-Brighton striker Aaron Connolly netted an exquisite 93rd-minute free kick to see Leighton Oren come from behind to beat the Reds 2-1 in the EFL Trophy.
28:34Louis Flower fired Crawley in front inside three minutes before Dimitri Mitchell levelled for the O's on 40 minutes.
28:39Crawley's late winner leaves Crawley second in Southern Group F.
28:43Level on points withholds Peterborough.
28:45Considering everything that's going on with their league campaign, Sam, I don't think the EFL Trophy would be particularly high on the Reds' priority list this season, but that must sting, surely, to lose it that way.
28:55Absolutely, yeah.
28:56Even if the EFL Trophy isn't Crawley's main focus, the manner of the defeat, of course, will hurt.
29:01It's always frustrating, I guess, to take an early deed, concede an equaliser and then lose it in stoppage time.
29:08As you said, it was a moment of real quality, but it does add to what's becoming a very demoralising run of results.
29:16And, yeah, as you say, it's the EFL Trophy, not the league, and priorities are elsewhere.
29:22But Crawley could have used a win just to stop the rot a bit, build a bit of belief and shift the mood around the place.
29:28But instead, it's another defeat and the pressure does continue to mount on the players to turn it around.
29:33And regardless of what the competition is, when you lose and concede late goals, it does feel like a gut punch.
29:41And obviously, they're building up quickly, aren't they, at the moment, really?
29:44And they can start to take their toll.
29:45But despite that heartbreak, there were lots of positives to take.
29:48And Scott Lindsay will know that.
29:50It's easy to focus on the result, especially when it continues a tough run.
29:55But in terms of performance, they were encouraging signs.
29:58Crawley were bright in spells, played within 10.
30:00And some of the fringe players really put their hand up to be starting in the league as well.
30:05I thought Max Anderson seemed lively in the midfield.
30:08Louis Flower took his goal well and showed energy throughout.
30:10And Ben Ratcliffe put in a composed display.
30:13So, for what was a young side, there was a lot of maturity.
30:16And they will definitely give Lindsay something to think about ahead of Walsall's visit.
30:21And there's definitely, yeah, some question marks over what team Lindsay will put out.
30:26Whether he will obviously make changes from that league game and start to put in some of these players impressed in the cup.
30:32But he said, it gives me things to think about.
30:33And it's great.
30:35It's a great game for us.
30:36We're playing a team who are top of the league, bringing them on.
30:38That's what I want to be all about.
30:40I want that to be a real incentive for us to play, play well and win, score and defend well.
30:44And nothing better than taking on the league leaders.
30:46I think it's a great opportunity for us now to try and turn the corner.
30:49And he's really encouraged by what he saw.
30:51Really good performances.
30:52And he kind of got an idea of what he wants to do for Saturday.
30:56Yes, as you mentioned, the Reds' task doesn't get any easier as they welcome top of the table Walsall to the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday.
31:02The Saddlers have won eight of their 11 lead, two games, and sit just a point off Scott Lindsay's old team in second.
31:08It's another tough game.
31:09Mark, how do you see this one going?
31:12Did you want to find a Tobias Phoenix there?
31:14I think he wants to do an interview.
31:15Yeah, he's asked me if I fancied the Crawley Town Sporting director job, I think.
31:19I think I might have to politely decline.
31:22Yeah, no, it's going to, yeah, I mean, it'll be typical of Crawley winning one on Saturday, being the lead leaders,
31:29because they've done that before in previous seasons, where they've had a run of bad results, lost the core teams.
31:36Like, Barrow weren't a core team, they're a well-organised team, but you shouldn't be losing for them at home.
31:40But Walsall will come top of the league, and Crawley will probably come and beat them handsomely as well on Saturday.
31:45But, yeah, Sam said about the selection issue has, because if you put the two sides, if you put the two sides by side,
31:55there were eight changes for Tuesday night's game against Lane Orient, against the team that played Cambridge.
32:00You would have thought the Tuesday night team was the first choice team, and the Saturday team was not the first choice league side.
32:06So, he's got some big decisions to make.
32:10Matt, like Sam said, Max Anderson was excellent.
32:13I always find it odd that he doesn't play more, Max Anderson, because every time he plays, he gives 100%.
32:19He battles hard.
32:20He scores important goals at times.
32:22He's told in the way last year he scored the winner.
32:24So, yeah, it's going to be very, very interesting what the line-up looks like on Saturday.
32:31But, Scott, as he said, bring them on.
32:34I think it's a really good fixture for them, because they know they have to be good.
32:38I mean, they knew they have to be good against Cambridge, but they've got to be at the top of their game to compete with.
32:44It's been really impressive this year.
32:46So, yeah, no, but injury-wise, we're waiting for an update on Harvey Davis' finger, so how long he's going to be out for.
32:56But Jojo Wallachot, he's been good.
32:59I wouldn't say he was at fault with any of the goals in the last two games.
33:02So, hopefully, he'll be in.
33:04He pulled off a really good save on Tuesday night against Le'Han Orient.
33:08He's a really good shot stopper at times.
33:10But Adi Adi Yemo, as Scott said last week, we're hoping he'll be back.
33:13He picked up Nottingham Camaro, but he said they were wrapping him in cotton wool last week, hoping that he'd be ready for this week.
33:21Danny Cashman, I believe, will still be out.
33:24So, yeah, we'll have to see.
33:26But it's going to be really interesting who he picks from that side on Saturday.
33:31And they have got, although they lost, it was a really soft free kick the referee gave as well that led to the winner.
33:38So, it could have easily been a one-all draw and then Crawley went on penalties, and then you're suddenly really positive.
33:43But because it's forward defeats on the trot now, it looks worse than it probably is.
33:49I think they've got a little bit of momentum from the performance on Tuesday night.
33:53So, hopefully, they can carry that forward.
33:55I'd love to see Ben Radcliffe get a start.
33:57And like I say, yeah, I think they can get something out of this.
34:01I think they can shock Walsall a little bit.
34:04And who knows?
34:05And the Dubai's Phoenix news, the fans might be a little bit more buoyant.
34:09I don't know.
34:10I mean, it's horrible to criticise someone or cheer someone losing their job.
34:15But the Crawley fans seem to be doing that on social media.
34:17And hopefully that translates to positivity on Saturday.
34:21Yeah, we are in the last.
34:22Yes, we can only hope.
34:25I believe there's something quite nicely to score predictions.
34:27As we mentioned, no Brighton game this week due to the international break.
34:30But we have Crawley v Walsall.
34:32I don't know whether that summation you just gave there, Mark, is positivity, optimism or anything like that.
34:38Or we're just clutching at straws.
34:40How do you think Saturday's going to go?
34:42I am going to go with my heart and say Crawley are going to win 2-1.
34:50What does your head say?
34:52A draw.
34:54Oh, a draw.
34:54They'll take a draw.
34:56I'm going to go for 2-1.
34:572-1.
34:58Sam, they'd take a draw, wouldn't they?
34:59They'd bite your hand off for a draw.
35:01They absolutely would bite your hand off a draw.
35:02But I don't think they're going to get one.
35:04I think my head's saying a 2-1 defeat, unfortunately.
35:07Walsall will be really good this season.
35:08And I think they'll continue.
35:09And finally, Darren.
35:13Yeah.
35:15Yeah, I don't know.
35:17I think they're going to get hammered, I think.
35:20Yeah.
35:21No, Walsall look good.
35:22But because I'm easily swayed and Mark was very persuasive that Crawley are going to bounce back,
35:27I'm going to go for a 2-0 Crawley, I think.
35:29I'm going to think that they can pull up a shot.
35:33Oh, we can only hope.
35:34Best of luck to Crawley Town this weekend.
35:36And thank you very much for joining us this week, chaps, as ever.
35:38Don't forget, you can catch up with all the native sports news covering everything we've
35:42talked about today at sussexworld.co.uk forward slash sport.
35:45Thank you very much for listening and watching.
35:47And we will see you all next week for a very special episode.
Recommended
0:21
|
Up next
25:06
1:03
47:29
Be the first to comment