Five
points out of a possible twelve have brought the Albion
a
bit more down to earth following their flying start to
life in the nPower Championship.
Only one win came in
the opening game of the month away at Bristol City and
although we gave Liverpool a run for their money in the
Carling Cup, September has proven just what a tough and open league we are now in.
Several players have stood out in the last five games
though despite the alarming tail off in form that will
need to be addressed sooner rather than later by Gus.
|
September
2011 Player of the Month - Liam Bridcutt (38.81% of the
vote) |
 |
In a month in which the Albion took only five
points from a possible fifteen, it was defensive
midfielder Liam Bridcutt who took the crown. He was one of the unsung heroes of
last season and has continued that form in looking like one of the players
who looks most comfortable with the step up. He
has played every minute of September and it was
shown just how much Brighton rely on his ability
to win the ball back and dictate play when an
early yellow card against Crystal Palace saw him
unable to make the challenges he normally does
and we subsequently fell apart in the second
half.
Played 5 (5 starts, 0
sub). Scored 0. |
 |
Second: Craig Mackail-Smith (25.37% of the vote)
Craig Mackail-Smith finishes in the
top three for the second month running, this
time in second place. Despite criticism from
some quarters following a poor start to the
month including missing against Leicester from
three yards, he bounced back to net three times
in two games against Leeds and Palace. |
 |
Third: Craig Noone (19.4% of the vote)
Last months winner continued his good form to
take third place. Despite the
arrival of marquee signing Vicente from
Valencia, he kept his place and was
instrumental in the win at Bristol City and gave
the Liverpool defence a torrid time on their
visit to The Amex in the Carling Cup. |
|
The
contenders: |
 |
Ashley Barnes - Another three goals for the
month means he leads the scoring charts with
seven from 11 starts in all competitions. Most
importantly two of them came from the penalty
spot which looks to have buried last seasons
curse from twelve yards. |
 |
Liam Bridcutt
- Continues to look at home in the centre of
midfield having made the step up to the
Championship with apparent ease. If he carries
on in this form, it surely won't be long until
the offers from bigger clubs start coming in. |
 |
Lewis Dunk - The young defender
continued his immense form from August before
tailing off slightly after being rested for the
visit of Liverpool. He has been rewarded with
his first call up to the England under-21 squad
for their upcoming European Championship
Qualifiers. |
 |
Gordon Greer - The captain put in two
dogged defensive performances at the start of
the month, leading his side to a clean sheet at
Bristol City and dealing admirably with
Leicester's expensively assembled and dangerous
front line. |
 |
Craig Mackail-Smith - Bizarrely attracted
criticism from some quarters, Mackail-Smith
answered in the best way possible with two goals
in the last three games of September. Continues
to impress with his workrate. |
 |
Craig Noone - Augusts' player of the month
carried on where he left off by continuing to be
the Albions tormenter in chief. Saw off the
challenges of Will Buckley, Kazenga LuaLua and
new signing Vicente to maintain his place as the
teams wide man. |
