SIDWELL: IT’S ALL IN PLACE FOR LIFT-OFF
AS Brighton’s shattered players cried and crumpled, their shot at the Premiership cruelly swiped by Sheffield Wednesday, Carlos Carvalhal made a beeline for Chris Hughton.
“I’m sorry, my friend,” said the Owls’ Portuguese manager, whose side drew 1-1 at the Amex to triumph 3-1 on aggregate. “You did not deserve this.You did a fantastic season.”
Carvalhal’s condolences were both heartfelt and accurate. The Seagulls should be in the Premier League.
Only once since the introduction of Championship play-offs in 1987 has a side gained 89 points and remained in the same division. Only twice has that figure failed to secure automatic promotion.
Throw in the wrongful dismissal of Dale Stephens at Middlesbrough, the freakish injury crisis that left the Seagulls a man light for 30 minutes at Hillsborough and the Owls’ accidental equaliser at the Amex and the scale of their misfortune is scarcely believable.
A sense of injustice is inevitable, but when the bitterness boils away, Brighton fans will surely be buoyed by a season that surpassed all expectations.
Just 18 months ago, the Seagulls were a relegationbound shambles. Abandoned by Oscar Garcia when a season of FFP-inspired austerity beckoned, new manager Sami Hyypia was lumped with budget signings and lacked the experience to shoehorn them into a system.
Hughton’s arrival, in December 2014, gave the club stability. Defending was tightened. Signings like playmaker Beram Kayal, unheralded Almeria striker Tomer Hemed and ex-Leicester winger Anthony Knockaert illustrated an understanding of the division and a nose for a bargain.
Above all, Hughton – the LMA’s Championship manager of the year – gave Brighton an identity. His side may not be as attractive as Gus Poyet’s possession kings, but they are obdurate, disciplined and dangerous on the break – the exact qualities that won Burnley the title.
“From the state the club was in to where it is now, that tells you everything about what
Chris has done,” said midfielder Steve Sidwell after Tuesday’s second leg. “We’re scoring goals, playing good football. I’m sure the Albion fans will be optimistic about the future.
“We surpassed all expectations this season.We pushed the top two to the very brink. You can’t get any closer and it will be tough to get over it.
“But we know what we’ve got in that dressing room now. As I said when I signed, this club is geared up for the Premier League. We’ve got the manager. We’ve got the players. We’ve got the infrastructure. Everything is here. And you can’t get any better motivation than what happened tonight.”
Of course, that may be easier said than done with twin behemoths Aston Villa and Newcastle set to enter the fray. But Hughton’s experience and another summer of sound recruitment should ensure Brighton are once again in the mix.
“Leicester missed out in the play-offs in 2012-13 and the next year they won the league,” said Liam Rosenior. “That will be our aim next season, no doubt about it.”