Vote for your August 2022 WAB Brighton Player of the Month

Well, well, well. That wasn’t bad, was it? August 2022 finishes with Brighton sitting fourth in the Premier League table and a whole host of individuals who have done more than enough to win the first WAB Player of the Month award of the season.

The Albion picked up their first ever win away at Manchester United thanks to two Pascal Gross goals. Gross took the headlines against United, but everyone involved in an historic occasion for Graham Potter’s side came away with credit as the Erik ten Hag era at Old Trafford began in disarray.

Brighton followed that up with a 0-0 draw against the Saudi Sportswashers Newcastle United, who were unable to buy their way to victory at the Amex. If the Toon finish in the top six come the end of the campaign, then that might yet look like an excellent point.

Next came the traditional win at West Ham on a glorious sunny Sunday afternoon at the London Stadium. 1996 Coca Cola Cup winners The Leeds United were then vanquished before the only blip suffered, a 2-1 defeat at Fulham.

Narrowing this Brighton August 2022 Player of the Month shortlist down to six was a tough ask. Only one defender – Joel Veltman – makes it for example, despite the Albion keeping three consecutive clean sheets.

Two of the three goals that have gone past Robert Sanchez have been from his own players; Alexis Mac Allister netting an own goal against United and Lewis Dunk following suit at Craven Cottage.

That neither Sanchez nor Dunk make the list despite being in fine form (apart from against Fulham) is a sign of how hot the competition is.

Gross must be the overwhelming favourite, but any of these players would be worthy winners. Happy voting!

The candidates for WeAreBrighton.com August 2022 Brighton Player of the Month

Moises Caicedo
The cat is out the bag when it comes to Caicedo with both Manchester United and Liverpool linked with a big money move in the final weeks of the summer transfer window. He started the 2022-23 season where he had left off in 2021-22, as the new heart of the Albion midfield. That the sale of Yves Bissouma to Spurs has not been keenly felt is largely down to him, with his record now reading just two Premier League defeats from 13 career games.

Pascal Gross
Der Kaiser is looking to make it back-to-back WAB Brighton Player of the Month awards, following up his win in May 2022 by retaining the crown in August 2022. Scored twice at Old Trafford, hit the winner against The Leeds United and claimed an assist with a brilliant flick to send Leandro Trossard racing clear away at West Ham. Potter described him as being in the form of his life and it is hard to disagree with that statement.

Alexis Mac Allister
Bissouma departing has seen Mac Allister adopt a slightly deeper midfield role alongside Caicedo. He looks well suited to it, spraying the ball around like a quarter back and helping Brighton turn defence into attack more quickly thanks to Potter allowing his players to play longer passes than before. Two successfully converted penalties also mean that Albion fans are less inclined to cower in fear whenever the Seagulls are awarded a spot kick.

Leandro Trossard
Potter deploying Trossard in a wider role towards the back end of last season proved to be a masterstroke. He looked really good out on the left again in the early stages of the new campaign, leading United on a merry dance at Old Trafford and scoring the second against West Ham. Quieter when The Leeds United came to the Amex but still teed up Gross for the only goal.

Joel Veltman
The standout player in a Brighton defence who conceded just three times in five matches. With two of those being own goals, Aleksandar Mitrovic was the only opponent to breach the Seagulls backline. Unlike Dunk and Adam Webster, Veltman did not turn to jelly when faced with the Serbian forward at Craven Cottage. Veltman’s shithouse behaviour in winding opponents up – which has often gone under the radar in the past – has become more obvious since Neal Maupay left for Everton. That will only further endear him to the Albion faithful.

Danny Welbeck
Welbz was Dat Guy in August. His hold up play, ability to bring others into play and running in behind defenders have been utterly crucial to the start Brighton have made to the season. Nothing highlighted that better than how toothless the Albion looked when he was rested for the trip to Fulham.

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Poll closes at 8pm on Monday 5th September