CALDERON’S CONFIDENT ALBION CAN TURN THE TIE
SIMPLY staying in the match is often the name of the game in the play-offs according to Albion right-back Inigo Calderon. And he should know.
Brighton thought they had done the hard bit when they claimed a valiant goalless draw at Selhurst Park 12 months ago in the first leg of that infamous semi-final.
Wilfried Zaha and his Crystal Palace teammates had other ideas, a storming 2-0 win in their bitter rivals’ back yard sent the Eagles to the Premier League via a Wembley win over Watford.
Now the hunted must become the hunters and spin a tie in their favour with a win on the road.
Calderon, the punishing Spanish full-back, reckons Albion can place the shoe on the other foot.
The 32-year-old said: “Last year showed everyone the importance of staying in a game with what they did to us at the AMEX.
“Perhaps if Derby had scored again in the first game it is too much, we leave too much work for us to do. But at 2-1 we have a chance, it’s about staying in the game and we can score from a set piece, a mistake from the other team or the referee – who knows?
“We know what it is like. Last time we faced this ourselves against Crystal Palace, we have to use that experience to help us. We are still in the game so must be positive.”
And despite Derby denials, Calderon believes their opposition will play on the counter attack tonight.
He said: “In this game it is about the first goal I think. They will know this and play on the break. We know they are very good at doing that but we will have to be pressing.
“We will have to push to win the game but anything can happen. It’s not over but we have to play the right way and hope we get what we need.”