Why Brighton's plan of attack for next transfer windows may have changed

Working from home is the new normal?

We have fully closed the offices at the Amex and the training ground so I'm working from home every day and spending most of each day on phone calls or on video conferences. It's been an interesting experience.

Albion’s community policies, especially telephone contact with every season ticket holder over 70, has received admiration across the county. Was it an idea by one individual or a collective discussion at board level?

At the start of the crisis we took the decision to be open and transparent and communicative with staff, players, partners, media and the wider community. And sensing that these were going to be exceptionally difficult times. We wanted to support our community, particularly the more vulnerable members, as best we possibly could.

What do you think are the basic criteria before any re-start can be contemplated?

First, Government policy must support our return to playing. Clearly, the prevailing conditions and protocols must be as safe as possible for the players, staff and other workers as our matches. We must not risk adding undue pressure to the NHS, or other emergency services. And the basis of the competition for returning to play, whilst allowing for pragmatic compromises must be as fair as possible.

Will the June 30 contract expiry date be a factor and will out of contract players want to or even be allowed to play in matches?

This is a complex area which, thankfully, doesn't massively affect our club directly this June. It is however another area where ensuring and maintaining competition integrity is key. The are working with clubs to agree a special protocol

We are aware that Maty Ryan is back home in Australia, are any other of the overseas players also back home? And if Maty - or any other player refuses to travel back for safety reasons for a June restart - will they be deemed in breach of contract?

Very few of our players have been overseas. those that have will be back in the UK ready to start a carefully staged process of returning to training.

This is subject to government agreement with the Premier League and also subject to very stringent league-wide protocols, which must be formally agreed by clubs.

It’s the 23rd anniversary of the Hereford game. As Brighton fans one of our collective qualities is we never forget where we came from. as a wider football fan Paul, do you think the EPL clubs will help the smaller clubs down the Leagues who face an uncertain future as a result of the Pandemic?

I'd like to think that clubs at all levels will take stock once the worst of this terrible crisis is over and find ways of ensuring they are more sustainable and resilient in the future.

I'd also like to think our club hasn't forgot where it came from. But it is often misunderstood just how much money already flows from the Premier League - it's clubs and the FA - to the lower levels of the game. In the Premier League's case, EFL clubs benefit to the tune of well over £400m a year.

For perspective, the EFL's own TV deal is worth around £80m per year. While 50 per cent of the FA's net revenue - most of which is generated by the FA Cup and England internationals, which are hugely supported by Premier League clubs and their players, go towards supporting grass roots football.

Football clubs are at the heart of their communities. It is vitally important all 91 come through this in one piece if at all possible.

Finishing on a positive, as a result of Covid 19 domestic football will have to press the reset button, TV revenue will certainly change, along with transfer and wage budgets. In three years time, if the Albion end up fielding a side made up with the majority of players developed through the Academy and the Under 23’s team, surely that could be viewed as a real positive to come out of this desperate situation?

We have always said our strategy for investing in a world class training facility was two-fold. Give ourselves the best possible preparation to win first team matches and give ourselves the best possible chance of attracting and developing the best talent.

Aaron Connolly and Steven Alzate have demonstrated young players can make a real difference to the make up of the first team squad. Hopefully they will inspire more young players to break through.

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