WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month - September 2012

With a feast of deadline day activity and rolling off the back of a 5-1 demolition of Barnsley, hopes were high for the second month of the season.

And this was proven right, as the Albion won four and lost just once in September to end the month at the top of the Championship.

There are places on the extended shortlist for four of Gus Poyet's summer recruits in a month in which Burnley away, Sheffield Wednesday home, Watford away and Millwall away all returned maximum points - a far cry from last season in which we gained a solitary point from them.

September 2012 Player of the Month - Wayne Bridge (39.68% of the vote)
	As if the mass improvement in the Albion backline wasn't already evident enough, three of the back five walk away with the honours in the September player of the month vote. Winning the poll was Wayne Bridge who was absolutely superb at left back. He played a huge part in the victories at Burnley and Millwall and clean sheets against Watford and Sheffield Wednesday - even netting his second goal of the campaign versus the Owls. With John Terry now retired from international duty, it is surely not that much of a leap of imagination to imagine him back in the England fold. Played 5 (5 starts, 0 sub). Scored 1.
	Second: Tomasz Kuszczak (15.87% of the vote) It was a dead heat for second, so we turned to Twitter for a five minute vote which gave the Pole in Goal the runners up spot. Two fantastic saves from Chris Wood at Millwall helped secure victory at The Den and his form has been such that he could line up for Poland against England in Warsaw.
	Third: Bruno (15.87% of the vote) Despite missing the last game of the month injured, Bruno still did enough to take third place in the vote. All that is missing from his game is a goal but it is not for want of trying - it's only a matter of time before his marauding runs forward are rewarded. Remains a class act at the back.

The contenders:
	Liam Bridcutt - Another superb month playing just in front of the defence, he got through a ludicrous amount of work in the away wins at both Millwall and Watford and with the Albion under pressure, was the main catalyst for counter attacking when breaking up the play.
	Wayne Bridge - Another month and another goal for the rampaging former England left back. Could easily go back to the EPL with the way he is currently performing and one of the main reasons why the defence has been so solid.
	Bruno - His month may have ended prematurely through injury but he was again, like Bridge, at his rampaging best in September. Just needs a goal but his value to the side was shown in the loss against Birmingham.
	Will Buckley - Craig Noone's departure has opened the door for him now he is match fit and he has secured his place ahead of Kazenga LuaLua in the pecking order. Opened his account for the season against Sheffield Wednesday and was immense at Miiillllllll.
	Adam El-Abd - A first goal in 20 months was the icing on the cake for the Egyptian international. Alongside Greer, he has looked superb in central defence and further international honours cannot be far away.
	Gordon Greer - Another good month for the captain extraordinaire at the back that again makes Barnsley's five figure summer bid even more laughable. Even popped up with a rare goal away at Burnley.
	Dean Hammond - A fair few Brighton fans were not happy with the news about the former captains return, but he has well and truly silenced them by slipping seamlessly into the middle of the park. Unlucky not to have a few goals to his name.
	Tomasz Kusczcak - Won points that last season would probably have been squandered with a commanding performance at Watford and a wonder save at the death at Millwall. Already looking like he could be the difference between promotion and a top ten finish.
	Craig Mackail-Smith - Finally beginning to pay off that transfer fee and justify all the expectation around him. Two stunning goals including a bicycle kick at Burnley were the highlight but he has had a superb September cruelly cut short by injury.