WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month - December 2012

An unbeaten November was followed by a winless December as the Albion had arguably their worst month since Gus Poyet took the helm.

It began with another horror show against Crystal Palace, this time going down 3-0 with Glenn Murray netting two of them and ended with an even worse display at home to an impressive Watford.

There were only two points picked up in a decent 2-2 draw at Charlton and by the same scoreline at The Amex after going 2-0 down - Kazenga LuaLua scoring in both games with trademark goals from distance and we finally seemed to bury the penalty curse thanks to Spanish Dave.

 

December 2012 Player of the Month - Liam Bridcutt (60.42% of the vote)
	Another month, another Liam Bridcutt win in the Player of the Month polls - meaning he becomes only the second man behind Vicente to secure back-to-back victories. The Albion may not have won a game in December but that hasn't stopped the central midfielder impressing everyone again with rumours now in full circulation that Norwich will produce a substantial bid and that it is just a matter of time before he receives a Scotland call up. What we can say for sure is that he has been absolutely outstanding and remains the key man at The Amex. Played 5 (5 starts, 0 sub). Scored 0.
	Second: Kazenga LuaLua (22.92% of the vote) Following the completion of his court appearance until next June, the flying winger had his best spell since arriving at The Amex permanently over a year ago. Trademark strikes from distance earned the months two points in the draws away at Charlton and home to Millwall.
	Third: David Lopez (8.33% of the vote) The former Athletic Bilbao man finally settled into the starting line up in December, performing out wide, in central midfield and even at right back. His reputation as a set piece expert came to the fore with a number of close free kicks and two successful penalties at home to Millwall and Watford.

 

The contenders:
	Liam Bridcutt - Arguably the only central midfield player to emerge with any credit from December, he was superb again in the middle of the park breaking up play and creating chances from the holding role.
	Wayne Bridge - Was sorely missed at Palace with Inigo Calderon deputising at left back. When he did return from injury he didn't look the same player as beforehand, but is still a cut above the rest of the Championship's left backs.
	Adam El-Abd - Another whose absence played a part in the Palace debacle, he was immediately returned to the starting line up and helped eke out a clean sheet at home to Nottingham Forest.
	Tomasz Kuszczak - The goalkeeper played every minute of December and without him two points could have been less. It remains a scary thought what might happen should be pick up a long-term injury.
	David Lopez - Spanish Dave finished as the months join top-goal scorer with two after emphatically converting two penalties. His free-kicks and efforts from distance also proved a constant menace, particularly at The Amex.
	Kazenga LuaLua - His best month since his permanent arrival last August saw two trademark goals netted from distance in the two points-earning matches. Looking somewhere near the unplayable winger we had on-loan back in League One.
	Craig Mackail-Smith - The rumours continue to persist about his departure and despite poor misses away at Palace and home to Forest, he equalled last seasons goal tally before the halfway point of this campaign with his strike at Charlton.