VIEW FROM THE STANDS

Last season was very frustrating, but featured some memorable wins against top clubs. We should have finished more comfortably, although our final positions in the xg and xp leagues were impressive! This season will be different to

last because Graham Potter is now into his third full season, and we’ve seen a lot of progress. A number of young players can only get better.

I’ve really missed seeing all my mates, the pre- match buzz ahead of inevitable disappointment, and away trips on a train. Other than stag or hen dos, when else is it OK to crack open a can before midday?

I won’t be happy unless we avenge the injustice of Crystal Palace taking four points off us last term. Despite only touching the ball in our penalty area four times across two games, they managed to score three times. Our most underrated player is

Pascal Gross. It’s a shame we miss most of the chances he creates.

The pantomime villain will be Mr Tumble himself, Wilfried Zaha. No matter what form he’s in, he turns up against us.

The best thing about matchday at

Brighton is that we open up the ground after games and urge away fans to mix. The Amex is Sussex’s biggest piss- up every other week. Other clubs’ fans don’t know that

Ben White came through our youth setup and wasn’t made by Leeds.

Our key player will be young Tariq Lamptey. After an injury- hit season, I’m hoping he gets a decent run ahead of an inevitable move to one of Europe’s big clubs ( sorry Arsenal).

We’ll finish slightly higher than last term, and with a bit of luck top half.