By Tim Hodges
Andrea Orlandi said at the Amex press conference yesterday that time has dragged since the Wolves game but Albion must play a normal game against Crystal Palace and not allow them to develop the chaotic type of game they often thrive in.
Orlandi revealed that he felt that had missed out during Swansea’s 2011 play-off campaign as he was restricted to the substitutes’ bench.
He said that he was fully aware of the history of the rivalry between the Albion and Palace and the players realise that they have to give everything on the pitch.
His previous derby experience includes Espanyol v Barcelona and Swansea v Cardiff
The free-scoring midfielder told Brighton and Hove News that when he joined the club the expectations were to reach the play-offs as a minimum and that he spoke with his great friend Inigo Calderon before joining Albion.
He didn’t think that Albion were necessarily favourites for the match, considering that Palace had a £50 million player and the league’s top scorer. He expressed concern about their counterattacking abilities.
Orlandi suggested that Albion’s success tomorrow could really only be measured by a win and, while he felt a little sorry for him, it was better for the Albion that Stephen Dobbie wasn’t able to play in either match.
