Vote for your WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month for May 2013
It’s unlikely that May 2013 will be looked back on with any fondness by Brighton and Hove Albion fans as the Seagulls dreams of playing Premier League football in 2013-14 came to an end in the most crushing of play off semi final defeats against arch rivals Crystal Palace.
After a hugely promising 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park in the first leg in which the back four and Liam Bridcutt all excelled to secure an important clean sheet, the Albion capitulated at the Amex to go down 2-0 to two goals from Manchester United bound Wilfried Zaha.
Only one Brighton player managed to score in May and that was Kazenga LuaLua who hit a double against Wolverhampton Wanderers to confirm their relegation to League One. His performance that day made it even stranger than Gus Poyet seemed so reluctant to use him against Palace, especially given the way he had frightened the life out of them in the league meeting less than two months previously.
Not that we’re likely to ever get any answers from Poyet about jut why he was so scared of losing the game, the Albion manager throwing a strop after the Palace defeat and openly questioning whether he would be at the club next season on comfortably the worse night the Amex has seen in its two short life so far.
Liam Bridcutt
He Rio Ferdinand singing his praises on Twitter following a man-of-the-match performance in the away game at Palace. He should be playing Premier League football next season and unfortunately that now won’t be with us.
Wayne Bridge
It was only when Wifried Zaha swapped flanks in the second leg of the play off semi finals to go up against Inigo Calderon that the £15m player showed why he was going to Manchester United. Before that, he couldn’t get a look in such is the quality of Frankie’s fiance. Another player who shouldn’t be playing Championship football next season.
Gordon Greer
Another two clean sheets alongisde Matthew Upson in defence meant that, until Palace visited, the captain and his new defensive partner were yet to lose a game when playing alongside each other. Keeping them together will be vital to our chances of challenging again next season.
Dean Hammond
Had the Albion’s best chances at Selhurst Park and on another day would have burried both of them, making the tie look very different. He had been superb in the last few months although it remains to be seen whether he will be here next season.
Tomasz Kuszczak
Made another superb double save at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers to preserve a clean sheet, one of two he kept in the month. The Polish goalkeeper is the real reason why the Albion’s defensive record this season has been second to none.
David Lopez
He was asked to play out of position again against Wolves at right back but he didn’t fret, putting in another solid showing. Two quieter games than by his normal high standards against Palace but every Brighton fan will have their fingers crossed we keep him for next season.
Kazenga LuaLua
The only man to score for the Seagulls this month, his was a trademark double against Wolves to relegate them to League One. He was criminally underused in the play offs, especially in the home leg given the way he had performed on Palace’s league visit in March.
Andrea Orlandi
One of last seasons major problems was a lack of goals from midfield. Alongside David Lopez, he has really addressed that issue, adding another two to his tally in the wins over Middlesbrough and Blackpool.
Matthew Upson
Unbeaten alongside Gordon Greer before the home leg of the play offs, the Albion had automatic promotion form in the second half of the season which was in no small part down to his arrival from Stoke City. Hopefully, the club will be doing everything in their power to keep him for next season.
