Simster

Fair point I guess, but when I say punching above our weight I mean that we are acutely aware that when Bloom departs from running the club for whatever reason, we will possibly or even probably slide back down the league pyramid within a decade. Perhaps not ever to Withdean levels and gates of 6,000 (and that will be Bloom's real legacy), but the relative doldrums of being uncompetitive in the Championship like Cardiff, Derby, Stoke & the scummy skates, or worse like Reading, Charlton & Bolton. As far as I'm concerned there are about a dozen clubs that will feel they are below where they should be when not in the top division (Leeds and Sunderland right now), but literally half the football league pyramid is made up of clubs that could sustain a few seasons in the top-flight but equally don't look horrifically out of place in league one. That's the real strength behind English football IMO.

Another Brighton fan here. (I first come on here asking for travel advice on our trip to Rome 18 months ago and still piss myself at that youtube clip of the moped rider going into the back of that car while beefing at that bus load of Leicester). Anyway, on the subject of Rutter v Goodnight, they are very different signings with very different pathways. Buenonotte is a youngster with years of development ahead of him whereas Rutter was bought as an oven-ready squad player. From my point of view, we've actually been quite alarmed at the way Rutter had flattered to deceive for Leeds and then for us for most of this season. Then Sunday happened and would you believe it, it turns out Uncle Tony's statistical modelling suggests that even at £40m he might turn out to be a shrewd signing because he really was a major reason we won. As a fan, I'm not surprised you'd rather keep Buenonotte though - I'd be the same in your boat. It's just that we are punching so far above our weight now that frankly our fanbase gave up questioning our signings several years ago now.

Thanks very much for the replies all - too many to reply to individually. We've got about 500 tickets left and my tier opens for purchase at 3pm - I'll be biting my nails until then! It's annoying though - we should have had 5,000 from the off, as that would have meant most deserving cases would have got a ticket. As it is, hundreds of STH are going to be left disappointed. Anyway, I digress - I do hope you get promoted and best of luck in the FA Cup.

Morning people, Brighton fan here. Congratulations on your victory last night at the shoebox, and hopefully we'll join you after tonight. Anyway, I'm on here because we play Roma away next week - exciting times. However, I see you got 5,000 tickets which is the full away pen allocation but above the 3,500 minimum according to UEFA rules. So was there widespread disorder in Rome that day? I only ask because we've only been given 3,500 on police advice which is a pain in the arse for those of us who are on the points border for qualifying for a ticket. Cheers. Oh and whilst I'm here - any excuse for re-posting this absolute classic: