It’s been a troubled start to the season for Brighton, but the Seagulls’ fans will be hoping new manager, and Chelsea legend, Gus Poyet can mastermind an upturn in fortunes for the south-coast outfit.
Former boss Russell Slade lost his job after a poor start to the campaign and the club are currently languishing in the drop-zone in League One.
Despite narrow recent defeats against highflying
Leeds and
Charlton, there have been gradual signs of improvement and last week’s 1-0 victory at
Exeter was certainly a timely win.
Givemefootball’s Mark Shail spoke exclusively to striker
Liam Dickinson ahead of tomorrow night’s game against promotion-chasing
Colchester.
Q: You must have been pleased to pick up three points at Exeter?
A: Yes, it was a good win for us and now we have to try and go on a run and climb up the league. I know we lost against Charlton and Leeds but they were tough games and we have been playing some decent stuff lately.
The new manager has come in with a different attitude and some new ideas and we are all looking forward to working under him.
Q: What are your early impressions of the new boss?
A: He seems a really nice guy and obviously he has so much respect from the players because he was a world-class player himself. He has changed things around on the training ground, cutting the sessions down, and we are now doing short, sharp sessions – concentrating on quality work.
Q: Even though Brighton are in the bottom four, the league is very tight, isn't it?
A: Yes, we may be fourth from bottom but if you look at the table we are actually only three or four points off 12th place. That’s why that win at Exeter was important because if we can string a couple more victories together we could push ourselves close to mid-table.
Q: Have you set yourself a goals target this season?
A: I’ve scored six so far so my next target is to reach double figures as quickly as I can. If I do that I will then set my sights on 15 and perhaps after that, 20.
It’s been difficult because I’ve been on the bench some of the time but if the strikers in the side are doing well and scoring goals you have to bide your time and take your chance when it comes along.
Q: What are your thoughts ahead of the clash with Colchester?
A: It’s going to be tough because they are an in-form side challenging for promotion, but we are in pretty good form also and that win last weekend will have given us a lot of confidence.
