It’s been a rollercoaster season for Brighton and Hove Albion so far, having played our best football since we reached the pinnacle of English domestic football, but with our worst points return at the same time.
After 19 games of the Premier League season, Brighton sit on 17 points, with everyone agreeing that that is far from ideal. There have been highlights, such as the 3-0 domination over fellow strugglers Newcastle early in the season, the valiant display against incumbent champions Liverpool that earnt the side a valuable point, and the latest victory against new ‘rivals’ Leeds United. However, there have also been some gloomy times, including the barren run of 9 games without a win. The team appeared to be stuck in a rut, with seemingly no route of escape.
And this was largely attributable to an apparent toothless attacking line-up. In the 19 Premier League games so far, Brighton have accumulated a total of 228 shots, the 9th most in the league. However, the team only converted 22 of these chances into goals, leaving us 13th in terms of goals scored in the division. It is arguable that this poor conversation rate, 10.4 shots per goal, is a contributing factor to Brighton poor league position. Shots on target are also a huge problem for the side, with only 1 shot on target every 3.5 shots, it is clear to see why we lack that cutting edge in the final third of the pitch.
Despite a seemingly obvious attacking problem, the defensive line do not portray themselves in a positive light. Brighton have conceded 29 goals this year, the 7th worst in the league. The stats seem to imply that the defenders are not up to Premier League standard. But they couldn’t be further from the truth. Lewis Dunk is a former England international, Joel Veltman is Dutch international with 27 caps to his name, while Tariq Lamptey and Ben White are showing all the necessary qualities to thrust themselves into the limelight later in their careers. Where then, is the main problem? It would have to come down to the goalkeeper. Maty Ryan has been an excellent servant for this club, and has kept the side out of trouble for a number of years. However, it would be naïve to say that he’s shown his quality this season. Bar that miraculous save from Jannik Vestergaard at St Mary’s, the Aussie has been below par this season. Countless mistakes has meant that Brighton have the 3rd worst ‘shots faced to goals conceded’ ratio in the Premier League this season; another contributing factor to Brighton’s woeful first half of the season.
The final aspect of the team’s demise this season has been set pieces. Not one Brighton fan is comfortable when the side concedes a corner, or a free-kick around the area. Despite our height at the back (Dan Burn at 6ft 7”, and Webster and Dunk 6ft 3” and 6ft 4” respectively), it is astonishing just how poor the team is at set pieces, both offensively and defensively. Offensively, Brighton have created 57 set-pieces so far this season, and only converted 3 into goals, resulting in a seriously poor ratio of 1 goal every 19 set pieces. It is similarly poor at the other end of the pitch. Defensively, Brighton have conceded 45 set-pieces this season and have conceded 8 goals from them, meaning an equally poor defensive ratio of 1 goal conceded every 5.6 set-pieces. For a side with the height that Brighton do, it is unexplainable just how poor the team seem to be.
Of course, it’s not all doom and gloom. The Potter mentality has got Brighton prioritising possession, and though you may argue that possession does not guarantee results, the side has warmed to the tactics superbly. Brighton’s average possession this season has been 51%, higher than any other side in the bottom half of the table, and 9th overall. In comparison to the three teams below us, the stats show that we are far more prominent in games, and have a much higher chance of winning football matches (Fulham 47.5%, West Brom 41.5%, Sheffield United 42.8%.
Brighton also showed the excellence of ‘Potterball’ at Elland Road, with Neal Maupay’s tap-in the sum of an excellent team move, highlighting the manager’s footballing philosophy.
Overall, the season has not panned out entirely to plan. Conceding too many goals, and not scoring enough. Although it would appear that our performances are on the way up. The fight and desire that was non-apparent during the first 15 games is starting to present itself, first in that narrow defeat to City, and then again to hold on for victory against Leeds. A little more passion and desire at the back, combined with application from the front three, and Brighton have a seriously good squad on their hands. It is now important for the side not to follow the trend of previous seasons and fall away in the second half of the season, otherwise our Premier League status may slip before our very hands.