The Seagulls play Norwich today in a big game for both sides.
Brighton’s Steve Sidwell (L) in action with Derby County’s Jeff Hendrick
Steve Sidwell knows the hard yards that are done to win promotion. As a youngster he was part of a Reading side which promised a lot, but failed to deliver when it mattered. After a couple of seasons of disappointment, The Royals finally made good on their potential to win promotion as Champions in the 2005/06 season. In the lead up Brighton’s game with Norwich at The Amex Stadium, Sidwell told The Argus just how hard that final step actually is.
Brighton’s Steve Sidwell in action with Sheffield Wednesday’s Kieran Lee
“People have been asking me what is harder, staying in the Premier League or winning promotion and for me it is harder to get out of the Championship,” Sidwell told The Argus.
“Obviously when you get into the Premier League you need to strengthen and build. With the investment that is in the game there are a lot of good sides in the Premier League and that is slowly filtering down into the Championship.”
“You look at the standard of the teams and players in the Championship and it is huge.”.
Brighton were one of the clubs who went very close to promotion last season, but unfortunately for them faded in the playoffs. Rather than dwell on that disappointment, they are well and truly in contention again this season and today face a true test of their credentials against recently relegated Norwich. Only one point separates the two teams on the ladder, and it is a game of contrasts with Brighton having the best defence in the league (nine goals conceded), while Norwich are the second highest goalscorers in the league (26 goals scored).
Norwich’s Cameron Jerome celebrates scoring their first goal
The Canaries have a outstanding recent record in this fixture winning 10 and drawing two of the last 13 games the two teams have met. The Seagulls’ only victory in that span of games was a 1-0 victory on Boxing Day in 2002. Taking a snapshot across the last five league games, Brighton are unbeaten, picking up 13 of 15 points, while Norwich have stumbled of late only picking up seven points and producing a very disappointing performance in their last league game at home to Preston where they lost 1-0.
Prediction
Norwich are a proud outfit so expect a strong response after their game against Preston North End. Brighton have a very strong home record picking up 16 points from their seven games. With nothing much separating both teams on the ladder, expect a very tight and hard fought encounter where honours will be shared.
Brighton 1 – Norwich 1
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