Can anyone meet Brighton's standards?
Tony Bloom famously does not go in the director's box at Brentford because of a falling out he had with Bees owner Matthew Benham 20 years ago.Images of Bloom celebrating victories at Gtech Community Stadium have gone viral in the past because no other Premier League chairman joins supporters on the terraces.It is brilliant when things are going well, but maybe not so much when the Albion sink - as was the case on Saturday, when Bloom found himself sat in the middle of an away end in which a lot of people could be clearly heard singing: "You don't know what you're doing" at manager Fabian Hurzeler.Brighton value their reputation as the best run club in English football so much that when there has been dissent from the terraces before, they have gone out of their way to tell the media it was only a "small minority" of "doom and gloom" fans.That spin will not work this time though.Just 1,600 Albion fans could buy tickets for Brentford. Those inside the Gtech were at the top of the loyalty points scheme and the most dedicated Seagulls supporters around - and enough of them turned for it to warrant mentioning in every match report about the game.It seems a bit mad because Brighton are10th in the Premier League. If they end the season there, it would be the third highest finish in the club's history. It is a position every fan would have bitten your arm off for... before 2023.The problem is Roberto de Zerbi. He tore up the rule book and showed European qualification was possible for Brighton - and that was before a £200m spending spree.No Albion supporter expects a top-six finish every season, but managers are now being judged against what De Zerbi did. The standards have been raised.The question is can Hurzeler - or anyone else for that matter - meet them? And if they cannot, does that mean they don't know what they're doing?Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal finally seal permanent transfer for signing dubbed 'a scandal'
Arsenal have sanctioned the departure Marquinhos, who will join Brazilian side Cruzeiro, three years after his transfer was ridiculed by those back in South America Arsenal have offloaded Marquinhos with the forward going back to Brazil - three years after his signing was labelled a "scandal" by those back in South America. The 22-year-old joined from Sao Paulo and is now heading back to the Brazilian Serie A with Cruzeiro in a £2.5m move. His appearances were few and far between and he ended up playing just six times in all competitions, scoring the once. Marquinhos spent much of his time out on loan with spells at Norwich City, Nantes, Fluminense and Cruzeiro during his time on Arsenal's books and has now made his move to Brazil a permanent one after failing to make the grade at the Emirates. An Arsenal statement said: "Marquinhos has moved to Brazilian Serie A side Cruzeiro in a permanent transfer." It added: "Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Marquinhos for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future." He cost Arsenal just €3million in compensation fees when he originally moved as the Premier League side took advantage of his deal expiring that summer. Marquinhos came through the youth system at Sao Paulo and was tipped to have a major impact with several of the country's pundit identifying him as a talent in his teenage years. They were therefore left stunned that his contract was allowed to wind down, which meant he was able to leave for such a minor fee. World Cup winner Vampeta was among those and claimed it was "absurd". He said: "Marquinhos' business. They're going to lose Marquinhos to Arsenal for €3m. I don't know if you remember that I used to say I watched Audax's academy games, Marquinhos in the under-15… he used to already make the difference. I said here on the show, 'There's an U-15 at Sao Paulo, Marquinhos'… Now he's going to leave on a silver platter." TV Host Thiago Asmar claimed that Marquinhos should be worth at least €10-15m as he said it was a "scandal" for him to be allowed to depart for such a minimal amount. Former Arsenal chief Edu claimed that Marquinhos was "a player for the future" but Mikel Arteta was never able to unlock his potential. The Brazilian had a number of players ahead of him in the pecking order and opportunities ultimately never came his way. The Gunners are looking to further bolster their frontline this summer with wide forwards on their shortlist. They've been linked with the likes if Nico Williams, who has become a leading light at Athletic Bilbao and could be tempted by a move to the Premier League.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Nottingham Forest ‘write to Uefa over Crystal Palace Europa League decision' as they stand to benefit from Eagles ban
Forest took necessary precautions to avoid a similar fiasco TRICKY TREES Nottingham Forest 'write to Uefa over Crystal Palace Europa League decision' as they stand to benefit from Eagles ban Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NOTTINGHAM FOREST have reportedly written to Uefa over concerns about Crystal Palace taking part in the Europa League. Palace's historic FA Cup final win over Manchester City booked their place in Europe for the first time. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Crystal Palace's European dreams could be ruined over an ownership issue Credit: AFP 2 The Eagles lifted the FA Cup at Wembley to secure a Europa League spot Credit: Getty But complications around John Textor's stake in both Palace and French club Lyon have resulted in the South Londoners' spot being in doubt. Uefa rules on multi-club ownership prevent any two clubs controlled by the same person or group from competing in the same competition. Both Palace and Lyon have qualified for next year's Europa League, but the Ligue 1 side would have precedence as they finished higher in their domestic league. And now The Times state Forest made contact with European football's governing body to highlight the potential breach. Should Palace be kicked out of the Europa League, it is understood Nottingham Forest would be promoted from the Conference League and take the Eagles' Europa League place. Forest themselves made the necessary changes to their ownership structure when it became apparent both they and owner Evangelos Marinakis' other team Olympiacos could both qualify for the Champions League. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Nottingham Forest write to UEFA to 'express concern' over Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest have spoken to UEFA to express their concern over Crystal Palace's potential involvement in the Europa League as the FA Cup winners attempt to prove their breached no rules Nottingham Forest have written to UEFA to express concern over Crystal Palace potentially participating in the Europa League given the multi-club ownership rules that are in place. John Textor, the American businessman who has a 43 per cent stake in the Premier League side, also owns Lyon, who have qualified for Europe's secondary competition. The Eagles hierarchy have met with UEFA officials to try explain Textor's situation. Forest however can stand to gain if UEFA do choose to kick Palace out of the Europa League. The Nottingham outfit enjoyed a stellar year, challenging for the Champions League, but eventually having to settle for the Europa Conference League after finishing seventh. However they could be bumped up if Palace fall foul of UEFA's rules and the Times reports that they have been in contact with European football's governing body regarding the matter. Much may yet depend on whether Lyon themselves are allowed to play in the Europa League. UEFA's Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) disqualified Lyon from European competitions in December but allowed them to continue after the club met certain demands. However the French side are being 'carefully monitored' by the CFCB and could be disqualified from next season's Europa League for any breaches. It is understood that Palace case could end up at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Forest could also take the matter to the courts if the Eagles are still deemed eligible. UEFA have previously been rigid in their application of their rules which could count against the FA Cup winners. Eagles shareholders Textor and David Blitzer want to put their shares in a blind trust to ensure the club can compete in Europe next season - but UEFA claim their request has come too late. UEFA rules state that such ownership changes must take place before 1 March to take effect in time for the following season. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has transferred his shares given his Greek club Olympiacos have qualified for next season's Champions League. Blitzer is also an owner of Danish club Brondby who qualified for the Conference League. It means there could be issues should Palace want to drop down into that tournament instead. Manchester City and Manchester United both used blind trusts to remain compliant with UEFA's multi-club rules last season. Their partner clubs, Girona and Nice, also qualified for the Champions League and Europa League respectively. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
