Sidebar

28
Thu, Mar

Typography
Chris Birchall says he is determined to repay manager Micky Adams for giving him a contract until the end of the season.
The hard-working midfielder has been training with the squad for the last fortnight, and admits he hasn't enjoyed playing football as much since Adams signed him from Port Vale at Coventry City in 2006.

Birchall told seagulls.co.uk, "I've signed to the end of the season, which is nice. The area is good, the lads are great and it just gives me a chance to try and enjoy my football again.

"I'm confident now that I've signed that I can relax and enjoy my football under a manager who has signed me before.

"That was probably the last time I enjoyed my football. Since Micky left Coventry new managers have come in and they want their own players, which is understandable, and things haven't gone well.

"But once you get a manager who has faith in you and will play you, you know that you're going to get your chance. I'm just pleased to be playing again under a manager who wants me to play."

Birchall, who will wear squad number 10, goes straight into the squad to face Leeds United tomorrow, and says he is itching to make his Albion debut.

"You couldn't get a bigger game in League One," he said.

"Hopefully we can have a good performance because it has been a bit frustrating over the last couple of weeks where the games have been postponed.

"The lads have been brilliant and training has gone really well. The last two weeks have been pure fitness and really intense, and now is the right time for me to try and get into the squad."