Team News From The Brighton Camp

Last updated : 15 September 2009 By Thetashkentterror

James Tunnicliffe
Albion centre-half and long throw expert James Tunnicliffe spoke to the Brighton Argus about his side's game against Carlisle at Brunton Park tomorrow, the 20-year old, a summer signing from Stockport, in confident mood :


" We have taken four points out of six in the last two games and I have managed to play in the last three so I am really pleased. I know there is a lot more to come. I am still settling into the side and getting used to the players around me. I am just going to keep working as hard as I can to get the best out of myself.

" Having a house now has helped massively. I am really settled in the area and I love it down here. It is quite a big change from what I was used to in Manchester but it's a pleasant one and I am really enjoying myself. The lads that played at the end of last season did really well and I couldn't expect them to not be given a chance. Fortunately, I have got in now and I have got to do everything I can to keep my shirt.

" I have played against Joe Anyinsah before. He didn't play as a forward, though, he was playing on the wing. I am very aware of him. He is a good player but you cannot worry about things like that. You come across a lot of good players with different attributes.

" It is nice to go to grounds where you have played before and had good experiences and we'll be ready for Saturday. I played a good 30 games in this division last year and I know from that experience just how tough it is but I think our confidence is a lot better and we have got to be going there to get three points.

" It's a case of the team building on our last two performances. The fans can see that and we know we are getting there. Things are starting to gel and we are gradually getting better and better. The gaffer will be finding his strongest 11 and hopefully the squad is coming back together. Jake Wright is back training. I am sure Jim (McNulty) is going to be back soon and Glenn Murray, so we are only going to get stronger. "




In team news for the visitors tomorrow right-back Andrew Whing is very likely to miss out as he is suffering with both a dead leg and a long-standing groin problem. Meanwhile on the other side of the defence left-back Jake Wright has only just returned to training following a month out with a hamstring injury so he is unlikely to start.

Sticking with full-backs left-sided Jim McNulty is struggling for fitness, McNulty having been out with an ankle injury picked up just when he was about to make his comeback from losing a kidney in February. Replacement left-back Adam El-Abd, a right-footer playing out of position, commenting to the Argus on his return to first-team duty :

" It felt more comfortable at the back against Wycombe last week. We have been doing a lot of work for the last week or two. Russell Slade has been putting us under a lot of pressure and we got the end product, which is very pleasing. It's something for us to build on now for the rest of the season. It was the first win and hopefully that is going to snowball into something special. "

Former Carlisle striker Glenn Murray is another Seagull who will be absent tomorrow, the 25-year old who is wanting a move away from the Withdean Stadium, still on the fitness trail after going under the knife for two seperate hernia operations this year. The final absentee for the visitors being central defender Colin Hawkins who is sidelined with a broken nose, although winger Dean Cox could still miss out as he is suffering with a virus.

Brighton flew up from Heathrow today to make their way to Cumbria but one man not on the plane was assistant manager Dean White who has a fear of flying and therefore spent a long Friday travelling up from Sussex in the kit van.




The referee for tomorrow's match is Andy Haines from Sunderland, and he will be assisted down the lines by Glen Hart from County Durham and Danny Markham from Sunderland. Meanwhile the fourth official is Richard Clark from Morpeth in Northumberland.