Chris Hughton needs his fellow Irishman to do him a big favour.
The former Tottenham coach saw his Brighton and Hove Albion side slump to a 2-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night in the first leg of their Championship play-off.
The home side at Hillsborough were much too good for their Championship rivals, and take a sizeable lead into the second leg next week.
The game was a nightmare for the visiting fans, but there was some good news for Irish football fans, who got to see Richie Towell make his league debuts for the Seagulls.
Towell came on for Steve Sidwell after the break, and showed some decent touches, without making a major impression.
It did allow some people to make terrible jokes at least.
.@OfficialBHAFC throw in the Towell.
I'll get my coat… https://t.co/2NkRd5FNwl
— EFL (@EFL) May 13, 2016
However the former Dundalk man is likely to be given a starting role in the second leg, as four key players, Connor Goldson, Tomer Hemed, Sidwell and Anthony Knockaert are all unlikely to be able to play in the second leg.
At this rate Richie Towell will be starting the 2nd leg
— Mark Hill (@markhillsports) May 13, 2016
That should give the Irishman a chance to impress, although he has some work to do to try and convince the fans judging by the online reaction to his league debut
Stockdale, Rosenior, Dunk, Greer, Bruno, Murphy, Kayal, Towell, Lua Lua, Baldock, Wilson. My team for Monday (Injuries pending). #BHAFC
— BHAFC News (@BHAFC_NEWS) May 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/TadicTouch/status/731218614376861696
Not working out so far for Richie towell #Brighton #SheffieldWednesday
— Conor.mortimer ⚽️ (@Conmort) May 13, 2016
Jesus richie towell isnt good enough for the championship looks out of his depth on the pitch just not good enough..
— Anthony (@antohoop1) May 13, 2016
Although with so many players out, maybe it’s time for some positive thinking.
Towell did OK at Hillsborough when thrown into the action. Surely time to patch up Zamora for one last hurrah
— Nick Turrell (@Goringstrawb) May 14, 2016
Or delusion.
Towell hat trick Monday Brighton to the final 🔵⚪️
— JB (@JoeBrowne5) May 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/TheFinal_Third/status/731249835156905984
Speaking after the game, Towell revealed the match, which Brighton ended with ten men, because of the four injuries, was the oddest of his career.
He told Seagulls.co.uk he hopes his club turn it around in the second leg.
“It was a freak game with four players going off injured and ending the game with ten men too.
“In all of my years of playing, I have never seen anything like that. You maybe have one or two, but never four players going off injured.
“It was great to come on, but to do so under those circumstances was unfortunate for the lads that had to come off, because you never wish injuries on any of your team-mates.
