So of course, this will be my first actual post on this website, and I thought before I start talking about current affairs, it was important to reflect on what has already happened this season, so that we’re all caught up.
So, as it stands, Brighton and Hove Albion are on 10 points from 10 games, with 2 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats. Based on those stats alone, you’d be right in thinking that it’s mediocre. But the story dives far deeper than that. The Albion have already played 4 of the traditional ‘Top 6’ sides (Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool), and in those games showed incredible levels of passion and desire.
The Chelsea fixture was the first game of the season, and despite a 3-1 loss, showed an extraordinary development of our playstyle, by creating opportunities and looking to be aggressive, completely juxtaposing the Hughton era. It was a similar theme in the defeat to Tottenham at the start of November, with the Albion having chances to gain something out of the fixture. At last, our expansive playstyle reaped its rewards, by claiming a point against last year’s landslide victors Liverpool. Of course, on another day things could have been vastly different, with Liverpool scoring twice, both being ruled out by VAR, and being awarded a contentious penalty ourselves. But it’s about time we got the rub of the green (the less said about that United game the better).
The two wins this season have come against Newcastle and Aston Villa, with both games showing different dimensions to this Brighton team. The Newcastle game was fantastic; a completely dominant display, with the attacking players firing and the defence as solid as they’ve ever been, the team romped to a 3-0 win at St James’ Park. The same, however, cannot be said for the Villa match. Brighton twice led, first through Danny Welbeck’s ‘run and dink’, and second through and exquisite finish from Solly March, after build up play that Barcelona themselves would have been proud of. But unlike the Newcastle game, it was certainly not plain sailing. Villa looked threatening, and could’ve arguably put the game to bed before the 60th minute. After the emotional rollercoaster that was that VAR call in injury time, I feel as though we can all say that its nice to see us grind out a result for once.
I say this, because grinding out results aren’t exactly our forte, portrayed through the lack of results against Burnley and West Brom and nemesis Crystal Palace. The one thing synonymous with all those clubs is their ‘park the bus’ mindset. Although our play has expanded hugely, we still struggle to break teams down, despite the creativity throughout the squad. It’s not a worry yet, as I’m sure Graham Potter will encourage even more expression as he extends his reign at the helm. Nothing but teething problems, I’m sure of it.
And that’s the season so far really. I must say, this Brighton squad excites me. The raw talent emanating from Yves Bissouma and Tariq Lamptey, alongside the composed, experienced heads of Lewis Dunk and Pascal Gross provides an excellent balance. The coy signings of Adam Lallana, Joel Veltman and Danny Welbeck have been exceptional, and the years of Premier League experience are only going to help our young guns develop into world class stars. It’s nice to see the transfer policy has changed to experienced heads rather than unproven Dutch leaguers (I’m so sorry Alireza).