May 24, 2021
With the 2020/21 Premier League having just finished, Brighton survived for a record breaking fifth consecutive season at the highest level of English level for 2021/22. In the end, relegation was avoided quite comfortably, with survival being assured three matches before the end of the season, and the gap between 18th placed Fulham eventually being 13 points. That said, at times it was much closer than this, especially when Fulham went on a good run to draw level on points with Albion early in March with 11 games to play. Brighton were definitely in a relegation scrap at that point and the nerves were jangling, but Fulham’s form fell away and a couple of wins eased the pressure.
Frankly, Brighton should never have been struggling at the foot of the table, and one of those websites that calculates where teams should be in table based on the number of chances they created and conceded had Brighton in 6th place ! Indeed, had Harry Kane been playing for Brighton a place in Europe could probably have been achieved………
The failure to convert overwhelming domination in to goals, and/or to hang on to a lead was a recurring feature of the season, as matches became like Groundhog Day. The low point was the consecutive home matches against Crystal Palace and Leicester where something like over 60 shots on goal couldn’t prevent almost inevitable late 1-2 defeats. It became hard to listen to the pundits praising Albion for the way they were playing as yet another defeat was clocked up.
The season also had some very usual drama. Losing after the final whistle at home to Manchester United because VAR had subsequently decided there was penalty for handball was a first, and all the more galling after hitting the woodwork 5 times in the match. Then there was the game at as West Bromwich Albion, with Dunk’s quick free-kick being allowed, disallowed, allowed and disallowed as the match and VAR officials clearly didn’t know the laws. Having given permission for Dunk to take the free-kick, the goal should have been allowed to stand, offending teams do not have the right to organise their defence after transgressing ! To compound matters, Brighton also missed two penalties to slump to defeat against very ordinary opposition.
This was just one of a number of poor performances against the league’s lesser sides, and Brighton failed to register a single victory against the bottom 4, and Sheffield United and WBA took 4 points from them.
At the other end of the scale though, a 1-0 victory at Anfield meant 4 points were taken from last season’s Champions, and in the last home game of the season Brighton came back from 0-2 to beat this season’s Champions, Manchester City, 3-2 in front on close on 8,000 spectators as fans returned to stadiums.
The first home win finally arrived at the 11th attempt at the end of January with a 1-0 win over Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham side, to continue his miserable record at the Amex. Doubles were also achieved over Leeds & Newcastle without conceding a goal, with Newcastle looking by far the worst team played during the season.
Much was spoken about how much Brighton have improved under Graham Potter, and whilst performances at times were very impressive, it is a result orientated business, as and the below table illustrates, in this respect there has been very little progress.
Season Pos Wins GS GA Pts H Pts A Pts
2017/18 15th 9 34 54 40 29 11
2018/19 17th 9 35 60 36 23 13
2019/20 15th 9 39 54 41 22 19
2020/21 16th 9 40 46 41 21 20
In the first season back in the Premiership, Chris Hughton’s side finished 15th, which has not been surpassed. The number of league victories has been the same, and whilst away results have improved, the Amex has not been the fortress it was in 2017/18. The defensive record has admittedly improved this season, and there has been a small improvement in the number of goals being scored, but there should have been quite a few more this year . Had this been the case then there would be no discussion !
Under Hughton, Albion were too meek against the top 6 and also away from home against everyone, but certainly in 2017/18, the run of the mill opposition were regularly despatched in style at the Amex, until the second half of the 2018/19 season. Under Potter, the top sides have been given a fright, but there has been a regular inability to see off the struggling sides.
Player Performances
Goalkeepers
Robert Sanchez – 8 : Was finally given a chance after being out on loan at Rochdale the previous season, and after a nightmare performance against Wolves, rapidly gained in confidence and made a big difference to the defence, especially in dealing with corners and crosses. His long kicks also added a new dimension to Brighton’s play. Called up to the Spanish squad but is yet to make his debut.
Mat Ryan – 3 : A good shot stopper but poor in the air, preferring to remain routed to his goal-line, and until being replaced by Sanchez, Brighton had the worst record for goals conceded from set-pieces. Also, he slavishly seem to obey orders to build slowly from the back, so negating the pace of the forwards. Loaned to Arsenal in January, and likely to be sold in the summer.
Defenders
Lewis Dunk – 8 : Typically solid and dependable and chipped in with 5 goals. A foolish red card at Wolves was just about the only low point in an exemplary season.
Ben White – 7 : Impressed most observers in his first season at the club after a season on loan at Leeds. Showed his versatility by playing in every position in defence and also in midfield, but it is not obvious in which position his long term future lies. He also needs to work on his finishing. Rumoured to have interested several of the big clubs in the Premiership and called up for the provisional England squad for the Euros.
Adam Webster – 6 : Can’t be faulted for effort and commitment and never let the side down. Probably not a top Premiership player but a good squad player to have.
Tariq Lamptey – 6 : Added a new dimension to the attack with his speedy runs down the right but occasionally struggled to cope against bigger, stronger opponents in defence. Season sadly ended early through injury after just 11 appearances. Often referred to as a future England player by the TV pundits.
Dan Burn – 6 : No game goes with a comment on him being the tallest full-back in the league. Had a couple of very poor games, but also had some outstanding moments.
Joel Veltman – 6 : Initially looked uncomfortable after signing from Ajax and not being a regular in the starting line-up, but the injury to Lamptey provided an opportunity, and as the season went on he looked more and more like a Dutch international.
Bernardo – 3 : Fringe player sent out on loan to RB Salzburg in January. Likely to leave the club in the summer.
Midfielders
Yves Bissouma- 9 : Player of the season. Reportedly made the most tackles in the Premier League this season, and rarely misplaced a pass. His only weakness appears to be his finishing, with just one goal all season. Real Madrid are rumoured to be interested in signing him, and as Potter said, enjoy him whilst he is still with the club !
Leandro Trossard – 7. Many lively performances but missed so many chances early in the season, including hitting the woodwork three times in one game against Manchester United, which seemed to affect his confidence a little. Goals for Belgium in the spring appeared to give him a boost, and he often looked the most likely goal threat thereafter.
Solly March – 6 : Solid performances in defence and down the wing until injury ended his season. He should score more goals but seems to lack confidence in front of goal.
Adam Lallana – 6 : 16 starts and 14 appearances from the bench in a season where he often showed the form that made him a regular for England, being capable for delivering an incisive pass. Continued to be injury prone though.
Alexis MacAllister – 6 : Possibly deserved more starts and usually looked a decent high energy box-to-box player when given a chance.
Jakub Moder – 6 : Impressed after given some opportunities in the tail end of the season, with some marauding runs down the left, and a willingness to shoot. Scored for Poland at Wembley in March.
Pascal Gross – 5 : A disappointing season, and without a goal from open play, with just 3 penalties. Still capable of making half a yard of space to deliver a good cross, but much less influential than in other seasons.
Steven Alzate – 5 : Failed to build upon the strong season in 2019/20 and was mainly a fringe player this year.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh – 4 ; Given very few opportunities and made 15 appearance as a substitute, often only being given a few minutes each time. Often looked dangerous when given a chance.
Forwards
Danny Wellbeck – 7 : A risky signing given his injury record, but gradually got fit and although had to managed carefully, gave indications of what he is capable of. Will be expected to score more than 6 goals next season.
Neal Maupay – 5. An underwhelming season despite being the top scorer with 8 goals. Defences seem to have sussed him out, he had some incredible misses and his passing was rarely good enough. His volatile temperment was also often a liability. Referees also seem to have cottoned on to his diving, such to the extent that when he was eventually fouled, play was waived on. Probably one of those players who excels in the Championship but are found wanting at the higher level.
Aaron Connolly - 2 : Poor. Seems to have lost all confidence in front of goal and a far cry from the player who looked so good when scoring twice against Tottenham in 2019. Some of his dives in attempts to win penalties were embarrassing. Probably needs a season loan in the Championship to rediscover his potential.
Others :
Davy Propper : A regular in the past three seasons, made only 6 appearances, and all but one as a substitute. Probably won’t be at the club next season.
Jose Izquierdo : A key player in 2017/18 but after over 2 seasons out with injury made one cameo substitute appearance, but looked very promising. Hopefully will play more often next season.
Moises Caicedo : 19 year old Ecuador international signed in the winter, and although included on the bench a few times never made it onto the pitch. Likely to feature next season.
Andi Zeqiri : Swiss Under 21 international and member of the Swiss provisional squad for the Euros, made 9 substitute appearance but was never really given a chance. Long term future looks uncertain, possibly going on loan next season ?
Percy Tau : South African International striker recalled from loan at Anderlecht where he scored 4 goals, but made just three appearances on his return.
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