News

Premier League Mid-Season Report – Brighton: Sensational Seagulls?

Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club

Brighton have had a brilliant season in the Premier League so far. Mesmerising football and an ambitious manager to boot, this could be a magical campaign for the Seagulls.

Season so far

Ninth place in the Premier League and only six points off the European places, Brighton have come on leaps and bounds compared to last season. Only four defeats all campaign to date is a remarkable achievement for the team on the South Coast, and it shows just how much they have progressed.

They have draw twelve games already after 22 games this season, and they are on course to beat the league record of seventeen. They have come from behind in a lot of these draws though, a testament to the resilience and belief within the team.

The Manager

Graham Potter project at Brighton is starting to take flight. Constantly linked with a move away from the AMEX stadium, the Englishman has made the Seagulls an attractive outfit that are hard to beat.

With the Englishman constantly touted for a job at a top six club, Potter has plenty of admirers, but with Brighton, there is a club ready to break into the established hierarchy. If Potter can get the team turning the draws into wins, then Brighton will find it difficult to keep hold of their prized asset.

Player of the season so far

It is hard to look past the form that Neal Maupay has been in this season, with the striker arguably the Seagulls star man so far. Seven goals and two assists in the league is impressive, for a Brighton side that are not known for scoring high amounts of goals.

His contribution to the team has gained the Seagulls ten points, and his tireless work ethic has made him a vital cog in the well-oiled Brighton machine. If Maupay can continue his excellent form in front of goal, then Brighton could well be eyeing up a European place.

Signing of the season

One of the keys to Brighton’s success this season has been the way they have utilised the wide-men in their team. Wing-backs are crucial to how Potter sets up his team and with Marc Cucurella, the Seagulls have unearthed a gem. The Spaniard is a former Barcelona academy graduate who arrived from Getafe in the summer. Cucurella has added much-needed quality to Brighton’s left-hand side, adapting to the Premier League with ease.

Most disappointing player

Pascal Gross has been an ever present in this Brighton side since his arrival four and a half years ago, however, his impact on the team has reduced this season. Gross has still played in fifteen of Brighton’s 22 Premier League games, but with only two assists, it just is not enough for the German. With Brighton prioritising different types of midfielders than Gross, it might be time the German considers moving on.

Grade so far: B
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Latest

To Top