WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month - January 2013

Much like 12 months ago, the Albion welcomed in the new year by putting a disappointing December behind them with a much improved January.

There were three wins to kick off the month including a 2-0 success over Premier League Newcastle and the Seagulls were oh-so-close to claiming what would have been a deserved replay against Arsenal in the FA Cup.

The only poor performance of the five matches came away at Blackburn but thankfully Spanish Dave was on hand to rescue a point with yet another successful penalty conversion - this time coming with virtually the last kick of the game.

 

January 2013 Player of the Month - Liam Bridcutt (72.04% of the vote)
	It's an unprecedented third Player of the Month award in a row for Liam Bridcutt as he swept home. The central midfielder excelled in an unbeaten month including looking extremely at home in both the Albion's FA Cup encounters with Premier League opposition, leading Gus Poyet (never one to get carried away) to say that he could play for Real Madrid. Arguably the best piece of business the club did during the January transfer window was holding onto the star man who must surely be a shoe-in to claim the player of the season crown as well. Played 6 (6 starts, 0 sub). Scored 0.
	Second: Andrea Orlandi (21.67% of the vote) The midfielder signed from Swansea really came into his own in his fifth month at The Amex. There was a class finish against Newcastle in the FA Cup which was followed a week later by another goal in the win over Derby County as he showed what a tidy player he is for the Albion.
	Third: David Lopez (20% of the vote) A great month for Spanish Dave that saw him score a thumping volley at Birmingham, a last minute equaliser from the penalty spot at Blackburn and to top it all off trend on Twitter. He oozed class at right back against Newcastle and has quickly become a popular player at The Amex.

 

The contenders:
	Ashley Barnes - Had his best month of the season after returning from a spell on the subs bench. Scored three times - against Derby when used as a central striker and away at both Birmingham and home to Arsenal in his more customary left sided position.
	Liam Bridcutt - The best bit of business Gus Poyet did in the January transfer window was keeping the defensive midfield player who ran the games against both Newcastle and Arsenal to show he wouldn't look out of his depth in the Premier League.
	Wayne Bridge - Showed his Premier League quality with a commanding display against what was admittedley a third-rate Newcastle side as well as getting on the score sheet in trademark fashion at Ipswich.
	Dean Hammond - Set the Albion on their way to victory with a goal at Ipswich and the Southampton loanee has continued to impress after getting a steady run of games in the centre of midfield.
	Tomasz Kuszczak - His first true howler in Brighton colours cost the side victory at Birmingham but he bounced back with a points-earning display at Blackburn and continues to be one of the key players - what might have been if he had played against Arsenal?
	David Lopez - Another excellent month for Spanish Dave who excelled at right back against Newcastle, scored a thumping volley at Birmingham and even trended on Twitter after his last minute penalty away at Blackburn.
	Andrea Orlandi - The man who now makes the centre of the Brighton midfield tick. Scored a class goal against Newcastle and added another a week later against Ipswich. He has settled in to become a key playmaker in recent weeks.