Oops! Was Tuesday night really Albion’s worst competitive result since late 1973? Yes, yes it was, not since a young Nigel Clough and Brain Moore cosied up on the Albion bench at The Goldstone, had we been beaten by so many, admittedly with so few on the pitch.

The worst defeats in my memory include the 6-1 reverse away to Oldham in December 1990 and that was on a plastic pitch! Seven months later however, we appeared in the 2nd Division (Championship) Play off Final, ok we lost, but we’d bite hands off for that outcome this May.

Also, the 5-1 spanking by Reading in 2005. CKR’s wonder goal and Gary Elphicks debut sending off aside, we were awful and of course that season we were relegated!

Actually, I think I will scrap that particular line of form, as it wasn’t the only 5-1 thrashing that season. I have said before, these early games are almost like pre season friendlies, in fact Tuesday night was exactly 30 years to the day since Albion made their top flight debut, which they lost 4-0.

However that was the first game of the season on the 18th August 1979. I am sure you get my point.

Even if we don’t beat Stockport today, I hope Mr Bloom doesn’t start waving his Bryan ‘Gunn’ around in the manager’s direction anytime soon.

Mr Smooth (Slade) as I call him, does need time for his team to gel, he has made many additions, though he has had a month or so for there to be some more cohesion than we have seen so far. Perhaps Tuesday’s debacle will prompt some changes that will set us on the road to recovery and success.

Apart from last May, I don’t recall many memorable or vital games against Stockport. I think we beat them on or around New Years Day in 1995 when Ade Akinbyi scored for us, whilst on loan from Norwich. As far as I recall, we have been out of orbit with them during the Withdean years. It’s possible; last May’s visit was their first to Sussex for a decade or so and their first ever to The Theatre of Tree’s.

I am hoping that it is almost a formality that we wallop Stockport this afternoon and that Messer’s Dicker, Dickinson, Tunnicliffe et al, get that most prized possession amongst professional footballers, a goal against their former employers.

A win will eradicate some of the disappointment we have suffered thus far, whilst a loss, even in August, could signal a revolt by some of Albion’s more revolting fans.

The previous Chairman seemed to occasionally wilt under fan pressure. I wonder how the new Bloom might react.