{"id":3474,"date":"2021-05-22T17:21:44","date_gmt":"2021-05-22T16:21:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3474"},"modified":"2021-05-24T12:41:42","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T11:41:42","slug":"all-things-brighton-beautiful","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3474","title":{"rendered":"All Things Brighton Beautiful"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color:#fff;display:inline-block;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif;color:#a7a7a7;font-size:11px;width:100%;max-width:509px;\"><div style=\"padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/939217688\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div><div style=\"overflow:hidden;position:relative;height:0;padding:66.60118% 0 0 0;width:100%;\"><iframe src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/939217688?et=wpG1V2oYRh9VOsUsGAOXcg&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=FpkzUXs-0OpWhxqrqQX6sn-JITg4XrazyQC4uMt_CoY=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"display:inline-block;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;\" width=\"509\" height=\"339\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>And so we come to the end of the pier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Metaphorically, at least. Brighton and Hove Albion are our opponents for the final game of the season on Sunday, but we \u2014 and it is we as 10,000 lucky fans will be present \u2014 take on the Seagulls in landlocked N5, not Sussex-by-the-Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arteta&#8217;s team has seemed more candy floss than a stick of rock more often than we would have liked, too fluffy a confection to hold together for any time, especially in the first half of the season. There are signs, though, that he is slowly changing the recipe for the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We began the season with three wins in four games. However, a bad run from the middle of October to the middle of December &#8212; P10 W1 D2 L7 \u2014 coinciding with the internal problems Arteta mentioned in his pre-match press conference, proved a significant setback. A solid recovery over year&#8217;s end &#8212; P6 W5 D1 L0 \u2014 was followed by a mini-slump to mid-February \u2014 P5 W1 D1 L3. Then came a middling patch of five games comprising two wins, two draws and a loss, followed by a strong run-in &#8212; P7, W5 D1, L1 that we can make P8 W6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The glass-half-full optimist would say those numbers show improvement post-cabal clearcut, albeit halting, and that the team would have qualified for Europe comfortably with a couple more wins in games they should have won (Villa, Wolves, for example). The glass-half-empty pessimist would point to an Achilles heel of inconsistency and a lack of depth and quality throughout the squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There will be post-mortems to come from some of this bar&#8217;s finest pens. Suffice it to say here that the manager, the management and the owners still have some heavy lifting ahead of them this Summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Premiership Permutations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beating Brighton will guarantee ninth place in the table that does not lie. Against all the odds, it could get us eighth and even seventh. With the latter would come a spot on UEFA&#8217;s new charabanc tour of the less pronounceable parts of Europaland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We do not control our fate. Everton and the neighbours finish above us if they win at Man City and Leicester, respectively, regardless of our result. If they draw or lose and we win, we leapfrog them. If we all draw, the status quo ante prevails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If we draw and Everton lose, we&#8217;d swap places on goal difference, but with a similar combination of results, unless Leicester can beat the Marshdwellers by eight clear goals, there would be no St. Tott&#8217;s day. That game may turn on which of Vardy or Kane has the more severe inner-ear infection on the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A loss and a Leeds win would drop us to tenth. A draw would probably be sufficient to retain ninth on goal difference in the event of a Leeds win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Opposition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Graham Potter likes to set up a 3-5-2 formation or a close variant against the big teams. That is how his side defeated the ten oilmen of City on Tuesday. However, Potter has had success for both Brighton and \u00d6stersunds against us with a back four. He scrapped that for a back three and lost in December&#8217;s game at the Amex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I fancy he will return to a back four at the Ems, with captain Lewis Dunk set to return from suspension and his first choice wing-backs in a five, Solly March and the promising, 20-year-old Tariq Lamptey, out injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Joel Veltman and Davy Propper are also off games because of injury, as is Danny Welbeck, formerly of this parish. The Guendouzi-baited\/baiting Neal Maupay will be serving a red-card suspension. Brighton is the only club to receive more reds than us this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Seagulls have struggled to convert their chances all season, scoring just 41 goals. With top-scorers Maupay (8) and Welbeck (5) out, hopefully, that will continue for one more game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Line-Up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hector Bellerin is our certain absentee, having bruised a bone, possibly while packing. The definitely departing David Luiz faces a late fitness test for a valedictory appearance. There has been radio silence on KT3, who came off early against Palace, and Aubameyang, who looked like he was still suffering debilitating after-effects of his malaria. No news is good news, one hopes, but doubts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Matt Ryan is ineligible to play against his parent club. R\u00fanarsson on the bench? We can only hope for Okonkwo or Hein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With nothing to rotate for and barely more to hope for, I would expect Arteta to start the strongest team fitness permits. He will want to end on a high in front of fans for the first time in what seems like forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Leno<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Chambers \u2014 Luiz \u2014 Gabriel \u2014 Tierney<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Partey \u2014 Xhaka<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Saka \u2014 ESR \u2014 P\u00e9p\u00e9<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Aubameyang<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Holding for David Luiz if the Brazilian fails his fitnesses test. Xhaka to play left-back if KT3 is out, with Elneny partnering Partey in the double pivot. Lacazette in if Auba is out, though I&#8217;d prefer Martinelli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Holics&#8217; Pound<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The house favourite 3-0 is available at 27\/2. If you reckon we will not add to our miserable tally of three home clean sheets this season, 3-1 is available at fourteens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am plunging in off the end of the metaphorical pier with a forward six somersault, half-twist dive to end the season with a splash \u2014 5-0, available at 85-1. It has been five seasons since we&#8217;ve gone through a campaign without scoring five in at least one game, and Brighton is the only Premiership side that we have never put five past. It would be so typical of this team for it all to come together with a final, if futile, flourish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wherever you are, enjoy the final game, &#8216;holics. Next season has to be better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you haven&#8217;t yet read &#8216;Fan Memories of the &#8217;71 Double&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3115\">Part 1<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3291\">Part 2<\/a>, Clive&#8217;s &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3361\">Personal Memories of the Road to the &#8217;71 Cup Final<\/a>&#8216;, or Ray&#8217;s &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3390\">Personal Overview of the 1970-71 Season<\/a>&#8216;, click on the links to catch up with these wonderful reminiscences. And be sure to watch both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=2850\">Episode 1<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=3268\">Episode 2<\/a> of the video conversations with Bob Wilson and Pat Rice; Episode 2 is also linked below. Our auction of signed memorabilia is still open and about to enter its final week &#8211; check out the items below. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>THE CONVERSATION:  EPISODE TWO<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>And again&#8230;the second part of the conversation, and the second part of our Double Celebration<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">GHF.com are pleased to release this, especially considering the Arsenal events of these past few weeks.  <strong>Lift your spirits<\/strong> by watching the second episode of two video conversations with Bob Wilson and Pat Rice about Arsenal&#8217;s 1970-71 Double year, on the 50th Anniversary of our FA Cup win over Liverpool at Wembley.  Remember to donate to <a href=\"https:\/\/willowfoundation.enthuse.com\/pf\/goonerholicsforeverforwillow-24136-5ca24\">Willow<\/a>, or bid on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?page_id=2492\">GHF.com Auction<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Click on the image below (or on the Youtube link below that) to watch<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong> &#8220;Episode Two: Double Glory &#8212; The 1971 FA Cup Run&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video oncontextmenu=\"return false;\" controls=\"\" controlslist=\"nodownload\" preload=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/ghf_ep2_fa_cup_double.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Or, watch here:  <strong>&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/tXKX_cJKyow\"><strong>Episode Two: Double Glory &#8212; The 1971 FA Cup Run<\/strong><\/a>&#8220;<\/strong> (on Youtube).  This is especially helpful if you&#8217;re having any loading issues with the link to the one the site is serving above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let us know what you think in the &#8220;drinks&#8221; section below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>THE AUCTION<\/strong>:  It&#8217;s nearly OVER!  Less than 12 hours to go&#8230;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/auctionitems-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2891\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We are also pleased to remind you that our auction of signed 1970-71 Double memorabilia <strong>is open for bids through 23 May!<\/strong>  For full information, please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?page_id=2492\">The Double\/Willow Auction<\/a> tab above. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just a taste&#8230;the lots offered are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lot 1<\/span><\/strong>: A 1971 Cup Final replica shirt signed by Bob Wilson, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham &amp; Charlie George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lot 2<\/span><\/strong>: A 1971 Cup Final programme signed by Bob Wilson, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham &amp; Charlie George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lot 3<\/span><\/strong>: A second 1971 Cup Final programme signed by Bob Wilson, Pat Rice, Frank McLintock, George Graham &amp; Charlie George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lot 4<\/span><\/strong>: Bob Wilson&#8217;s autobiography, &#8216;Behind the Network&#8217; signed by Bob Wilson &amp; Ars\u00e8ne Wenger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All proceeds from the auction go to the Willow Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"534\" height=\"154\" src=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2855\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image.jpeg 534w, https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image-300x87.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image-75x22.jpeg 75w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 534px) 100vw, 534px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Embed from Getty Images And so we come to the end of the pier. Metaphorically, at least. Brighton and Hove Albion are our opponents for the final game of the season on Sunday, but we \u2014 and it is we as 10,000 lucky fans will be present \u2014 take on the Seagulls in landlocked N5, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3474"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3474"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3474\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3497,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3474\/revisions\/3497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}