Brighton & Hove Albion: Seagulls sign Sam Vokes

By Tim Hodges from the Amex Press Briefing

Albion boss Gus Poyet revealed how pleased he was that the Seagulls have secured the services of Welsh international Sam Vokes for the rest of the season.

The Seagulls boss complimented former loan player Billy Paynter, saying how well he had done in certain aspects of his game but had sadly not managed to score.

Poyet suggested that the club needed a different type of striker and Vokes will get in the thick of things and most importantly win his fair share of headers.

Poyet denied that Cardiff had made an improved bid for Craig Noone so far and seemed to suggest that Albion may yet follow up the previous loan signing of Gonzalo Jara Reyes and would like  to bring the defender back to the club.

On the injury front Poyet reiterated that Matt Sparrow was replaced at half time on Saturday due to an ankle problem and that it was not tactical.

He joked that perhaps he should display an information board when he makes substitutions in future to explain why the change is taking place as he dectected unrest in the crowd.   

Poyet and the Albion players are all well aware of the importance of tomorrow’s game against Crystal Palace and that the focus has been about the Palace game since yesterdays light training session.

Poyet will play his best team available tomorrow and will not consider squad rotation as the Palace is more important than the game against Newcastle due to the rivalry in his opinion.

Poyet was pleased of course about Albion’s forthcoming FA Cup tie at Liverpool saying that it was great for the players, adding that he once scored a penalty at Anfield.

Soon after Poyet,  the new signing himself, Sam Vokes, entered the room. He looks extremely athletic and just the sort of strike partner that Craig Mackail-Smith has been crying out for.

Vokes said that he was impressed by how well Albion hadkept the ball even in the crazy game that he played in for Burnley at the Amex before Christmas.

He is not cup tied and was just as excited by the draw as everyone else. He told Brighton and Hove News that he could be considered as a target man but liked to be inolved in link-up play in and around the box.

He has not had chance to look around the twin towns yet, but the self-confessed Southampton fan was keen to join the Seagulls once he was aware of their interest and hopes to play against Palace tomorrow, adding it would be a dream come true to score the winning goal.