Brighton and Hove Albion: The (Second) First Home Game of the Season

Being away for a week meant I missed Rochdale at home, so although this is in reality the second home game of the season (and the fourth league game, fifth competitive this year), for me, Walsall will be my last first home game of the season—at Withdean!

Its a strange mixture of excitement and sadness. I'm excited because lets face it, Withdean is pretty awful, and Falmer—sorry the American Express Community Stadium—is amazingly beautiful. 

However, even though Withdean is an utter mess, it will always have been our mess. Walking over the London-Brighton mainline railway track after stumbling along a muddy path from Preston Park station to the stadium, and hearing the low din of thousands of like minded fans is something I really quite like. 

But, Walsall. 

Four points from nine this year so far. Out of the league cup. Greer and Sparrow still suspended.

Its not all bad though...

The Albion have got a chance tomorrow to make it seven from 12, a much more respectable looking tally, and puts us roughly where we want to be—pushing for promotion via play offs/automatics. 

It won't be easy though, because Walsall are our bogey team. 

Last year on the opening game of the season at Withdean, Slade saw his men get shot down after mass spending, a goal to nil thanks to an Andy Whing own goal.

Fast forward to the 2010-2011 season and although its not a year to the day, its still an early chance for three points