WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month - August 2013

Two wins, three defeats and a draw represented a reasonably decent start to the Oscar Garcia era given all the fun and games of the summer.

It took a controversial last minute goal for The Leeds United to secure victory at Elland Road, the less said about Newport and Derby the better really and after that it's been seven points out of a possible nine that coincided with the arrival of Stephen Ward at left back.

Leonardo Ulloa has been scoring for fun again and a certain Rohan Ince has averted what could have been a potential disaster in the shape of losing Liam Bridcutt to injury for the majority of the month.

August 2013 Player of the Month - Leonardo Ulloa (73.42% of the vote)
	Started this season exactly where he carried off the last by scoring four goals in six games. Began with a cracker at Leeds and has netted in every home league game so far - defeat against Derby, the win over Burnley and the draw with Millwall. He's won more man-of-the-match awards than anybody else so it is probably fair to say he is the most deserving winner of this months gong. Which begs the question - where would we be without him at the minute, and with no striker arriving in the transfer window, just what will happen if heaven forbid he is injured or suspended? Played 6 (5 starts, 1 sub). Scored 4.
	Second: Andrew Crofts (9.49% of the vote) One of the players who seems to be enjoying a new lease of life under Oscar following an injury hit campaign last time out. Has two goals to his name already and looks to be back to his best in midfield with Wales recognising that by recalling him to the national side.
	Third: Rohan Ince (8.86% of the vote) Losing Liam Bridcutt to injury could have been a massive blow to the Albion but the form of Rohan Ince has reduced the problem significantly. He'd never played in the holding midfield role before but already looks a natural and has plenty of time to get even better.

 

The contenders:
	Will Buckley - Oscar seems to be attempting to turn him into a centre forward and although there is some doubt about how that experiment is working out, he has still weighed in with a couple of assists even if not at what we know is his best.
	Inigo Calderon - Started pretty unconvincingly at left back up at Leeds but since Bruno's injury he has been excellent at right back. No surprise the Albion fell apart without him after that harsh red card against Newport.
	Andrew Crofts - Never really got going last season in an injury hit campaign but has hit the ground running this time around scoring in wins at Birmingham and at home to Burnley. Looking to get back to his best and a blatant beneficiary of the change in management.
	Rohan Ince - Made his competitive debut against Newport in the League Cup before being thrown in at the deep end with Bridcutt's injury. Has looked superb at times and softened what could have been a considerable blow with the loss of the Albion's key player.
	Leonardo Ulloa - Where would we be without that man from Argentina? Four goals in five league games and the subject of a cheeky bid from Crystal Palace. Holding onto him will be the key if the Albion are to do anything this season.
	Matt Upson - His signing in the summer looks to have been a key one. Has hardly lost a thing in the air and has to be up there with the best defenders in the league. Fast becoming a key player.
	Stephen Ward - No coincidence that his arrival saw just one goal conceded in three games after seven in three. Solid defensively and he may not look to attack as much as Wayne Bridge, but he still possesses a fine delivery with his left foot.