I said he has better technique than Wallace, Ekelund, Berkovic etc... that doesn't mean he will turn out to be a "better" player but it's obvious that he could be.
In terms of football skill and technique, out of all the Saints players I have seen since I started going to matches (89/90) only Matt Le Tiss can compare. AL's first touch with either foot is nearly always perfect. His balance and ability to make space and retain possession is top class. People will say he "lacks pace" but he is faster than Matty, for sure. I doubt he will ever make the impression that someone like Bale has made (Bale is a physical exception) and, agreeing with Arab Philip, I doubt he will ever get given a fair crack at a Prem club - unless he gets there with us!
Oh dear.
Roll on next year's faux-rivalry.... in the meantime Brighton can go back to occupying the same small corner of my consciousness where the likes of Rotherham, S****horpe, MK Dons, Yeovil etc reside.
Was it Rochdale? Luton? Milwall? Swansea? Barnsley? AFC Totton?
Don't know, don't care. The same as everyone else.
I love being accused of arrogance by Brighton who seem to think they are amazing because they are less bad than some other clubs in League One... Come back after 30 years in the top flight and once you've produced Shearer, Wallace, Le Tissier, Oakley, Bridge, Walcott, Bale, Lallana, Chamberlain....
Put a few quid on Saints to win 3-1 before the game. Fel confident but I'll take the 2-1!
Fair play to Connolly for sticking with it. He was brilliant last week when he came on. Also, fair play to Gobern, who I felt could play a role today.
The really funny thing is this:
we destroyed Brighton's "passing game" in the match at SMS and the only time they looked even remotely capable of scoring a goal was when they put a bigger striker on and played kick and rush
I will make this the basis of a long-lasting and irrational chip on the shoulder for years to come and if we ever win anything, my first thought will be of the mighty Brighton and Hoveington Albions Football Clubs.