WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month - March 2014

The first signs of discontent have begun running around The Amex despite the fact that the Albion are still well and truly in the race for sixth place.

Three consecutive defeats to end the month didn't help matters as Ipswich and Middlesbrough both left Sussex with the three points while sandwiched between was the traditional last minute loss at Sheffield Wednesday.

There were victories over Millwall, Bolton Wanderers and Queens Park Rangers to savour in what was realistically not a bad March given that some of the stalwarts of the season underperformed and as such missed out on the final shortlist.

March 2014 Player of the Month - Stephen Ward (55.56% of the vote)
	It's been a good season for Stephen Ward since arriving on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers a few weeks into the season and that continued as he was convincingly voted as March's player of the month. It has been his best run of games at The Amex which included a second goal of the season in the win over Queens Park Rangers and being one of the only players to emerge from the defeat at home to Middlesbrough with any credit. He also continued his return to the Republic of Ireland fold, starting in the home defeat to Serbia. Played 7 (7 starts). Scored 1.
	Second: Tomasz Kuszczak (12.7% of the vote) There was nothing to separate second and third in the polls so the vote went to the Polish goalkeeper due to the fact he played more times than Lewis Dunk. Superb away at Millwall and Bolton and at home to QPR to claim another three clean sheets for his ever growing collection.
	Third: Lewis Dunk (12.7% of the vote) What does Lewis Dunk have to do to keep his place in the team? Two appearances in March, two clean sheets and a defence with a much needed injection of mobility. And those games were enough to warrant you selecting him in the top three for the first time since 2011-12.

 

The contenders:
	Will Buckley - On his day one of the best in the division. Thankfully for the Albion, he had one of those days with his brace at the Reebok Stadium securing a vital three points against Bolton Wanderers.
	Lewis Dunk - Two appearances in March, two clean sheets in those games. Deputised for first the suspended Gordon Greer and then the virus stricken Matt Upson. For our money, did enough to keep the shirt but Oscar obviously didn't agree.
	Rohan Ince - Well and truly a first team regular now, he missed the win at Millwall but otherwise an ever present. Maybe not as impressive as he has been recently but still a key component.
	Tomasz Kuszczak - Another three clean sheets with rock solid performances coming away at Millwall and Bolton and in particular in the home victory over Queens Park Rangers. Any remaining play off hopes could revolve largely around him.
	Leonardo Ulloa - The runaway winner of February's poll, he understandably failed to hit those heights again scoring just the once in March. But it was a key goal, turning the tide of the QPR game in the Albion's favour.
	Stephen Ward - Had arguably his best month for the club, netting the second in the win over QPR and being one of the only players to emerge from the Middlesbrough defeat with any credit.