Albion 3 – 3 Hartlepool

Gone: Russell Slade

I said it would happen, and I’m not that happy to report that I was 100% right. Russell Slade is no longer manager of Brighton and Hove Albion Football club. Bob Booker and Dean White – much maligned by most Seagulls fans – have gone with him. Martin Hinshelwood takes over as caretaker boss.

The match yesterday was a strange one, to say the least. Six goals, honours even, yet we played the Monkey Hangers off the pitch. I had a few too many ales before kick-off, so left the South Stand just before half-time to splash my boots and get a quick burger – and missed three goals! In the second half we played some breathtaking football, with both Gary Dicker and Elliott Bennett electrifying the crowd with sensational midfield play. Block H demanded – and got – a big wave from Slade after Nicky Forster added his ninth goal of the season.

But it was all in vain, Pool hung on for an undeserved point. Our defence once again had gone walkabout when it really mattered and scoring three goals at home and NOT winning the game finally hammered in the last nail in Slade’s coffin.

I won’t say more than that, a sad day for Big Russ, but it was on the cards for a while now. I wish him all the best whatever he does next and wait with baited breath to see who comes in to take over the hot seat. I also expect this exciting, but extremely frustrating to watch, young squad to start performing and soon. Roll on Southampton.

The Hovian’s Albion Team Performance : 6 out of 10

The Hovian’s Albion Man of the Match : Elliott Bennett & Gary Dicker

Albion Team (goalscorers in bold):

(4-4-2) Smith; Hoyte, Tunnicliffe, Elphick, El-Abd; Bennett, Crofts, Dicker, Davies (Cox 60); Dickinson, Forster (2)

Subs: Kuipers, Hart, Thornhill, Cox, Virgo, Navarro, Murray

League One table

Sunday, 1 November 2009 15:58 UK

Position	Team	P	GD	PTS
Full League One table
1	Leeds United	15	21	36
2	Charlton	15	9	29
3	MK Dons	15	5	29
4	Colchester	15	13	28
5	Norwich	15	8	25
6	Huddersfield	15	13	24
7	Millwall	15	10	24
8	Swindon	15	-1	22
9	Bristol Rovers	15	-3	22
10	Southend	15	2	20
11	Hartlepool	15	1	20
12	Walsall	15	-1	20
13	Oldham	15	-2	20
14	Yeovil	15	-2	18
15	Carlisle	15	-3	17
16	Brentford	15	-5	17
17	Exeter	15	-6	17
18	Leyton Orient	15	-11	16
19	Gillingham	15	-4	15
20	Brighton	15	-9	14
21	Stockport	15	-11	14
22	Southampton	15	7	12
23	Tranmere	15	-21	10
24	Wycombe	15	-10	8

Tags: Albion, Bob Booker, Brighton & Hove Albion, Dean White, Elliott Bennett, Gary Dicker, Hartlepool Utd, League One, manager, manager sacking, Martin Hinshelwood, Russell Slade, Southampton FC, Withdean Stadium