It's four wins on the bounce for Brighton following a 3-2 win over Bolton this weekend and, after a horrendous run of form, Chris Hughton's side are fully back into the automatic promotion race. Three points off top spot with a game in hand on Burnley who are sitting in third, one place ahead of them, Brighton are looking good to be in with a shout of reaching the dizzying heights of the Premier League next season.
But will Richie Towell have broken into the team by that stage?
Having played 90 minutes in the FA Cup at the first time of asking, it had looked like Towell was taking to the Championship like a duck to water. However, the realities of the situation are becoming increasingly clear.
Speaking at the start of the month, Hughton explained that, for all his talent, it was going to be very difficult for Towell to break into a midfield that's been subsequently improved with the likes of Steve Sidwell and Anthony Knockaert.
Richie has settled into well since his arrival at Brighton, but he is facing some tough competition to get into the team.
It is a big step forward coming from the Irish league and stepping into a side pushing for promotion to the Premier League and I always expected Richie would need some time to adapt.
And sure enough, to the pleasure of some who were less than enamoured with the 'Towell for Euro 2016' bandwagon, the former Dundalk man is yet to see a minute of League football for his new club with a place in the matchday squad escaping him this weekend.
Richie Towell not even in the Brighton squad today. Wonder did he make the right choice going there?#Brighton #BHAFC
— Ronan Brennan (@brennanro) February 13, 2016
Towell & Hoban both not in match day squads both struggling by looks of things
— Darren Meehan (@DarrenMeehan2) February 13, 2016
Towell not even on the bench for Brighton. Not looking good for him there.
— Graham Hoey (@G_Hoey) February 13, 2016
No place for Richie Towell on Brighton's bench today. Won't help his (slim) chances of making the Ireland Euro squad.
— Ryan Kelly (@ryandelarge) February 13, 2016
Odd that Towell isn't in the squad for Brighton today. I was lead to believe he was the bestest player ever and should go to the euros
— Keith (@_Strawbs_) February 13, 2016
Essentially, this is just the reality that Towell has entered. Going from the League of Ireland to the Championship has rarely been an easy transition as the likes of Jay O'Shea will contend. However, that's not to say that the 24 year old will be unable to make his mark.
Talk of Euro 2016 seems premature in the extreme but once Towell gets used to Championship life, there's few who've seen him play that will argue he's not up to scratch. Until then, he'll just have to make do with having his name attached to the worst pun the world has ever seen.
#HappyValentines #BHAFC #Together pic.twitter.com/qngObm3dsx
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) February 14, 2016
Absolutely shocking.
