Vote for your October 2023 WAB Brighton Player of the Month

Brighton failed to win a Premier League game in October 2023 and so it means that our WAB Player of the Month shortlist is heavily skewed in favour of individuals who delivered on the European stage.

For there were two historic Europa League occasions thoroughly enjoyed by Albion supporters. The first took place in the febrile environment of the Stade Velodrome, where Brighton came from 2-0 behind against Olympique Marseille to take their first European point in their debut away game.

It should not be underestimated what an impressive draw that was given the circumstances. Not many teams recover from a two-goal deficit inside the Velodrome; as Roberto De Zerbi is fond of saying, it took big balls.

That was especially true of Joao Pedro, who slotted home the equalising penalty despite the deafening noise from home ultras aimed at putting him off.

Fast forward three weeks and Brighton picked up their maiden Europa League win against four times European champions Ajax.

A shadow of their former selves the most successful team in Dutch football might be right now, but it still felt utterly mad that the Albion were not just playing one of the most famous clubs in the world, but running out comfortable 2-0 winners.

In the bread and butter of the Premier League, three matches returned two points. The opening game of October was a decent enough result as Brighton drew 2-2 at home to Liverpool and there was no disgrace in going down 2-1 away at treble winners Manchester City.

Being held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham was a disappointment, however. The Albion left their shooting boots at home as countless opportunities went begging, whilst at the other end some sloppy play at the back gifted the Cottagers their equaliser.

Maybe it would have been different had Joao Palhinha been red carded in the first half or the Cottagers not been allowed to get away with blatant time wasting?

As we said, a mixed big overall. Who is getting your vote?

The candidates for WeAreBrighton.com October 2023 Brighton Player of the Month

Simon Adingra
The devastating injury suffered by Solly March means Adingra is a shoe-in for more regular football over the coming months. So exciting to watch when he is on form, his opening goal against Liverpool was the result of positional sense and persistence to disposes Alexis Mac Allister and then fantastic awareness to catch out Alisson Becker with an early shot from 30 yards.

Lewis Dunk
You will struggle to see a better 90 minutes from a defender than that which Dunk delivered at the Eithad Stadium. Kept Erling Haaland as quiet as any centre back is likely to this season and did not waste a pass. Most brilliant was the way he turned a goal line block from Julian Alvarez into the counter attack which resulted in Ansu Fati scoring the consolation.

Ansu Fati
Still yet to start a Premier League game but that did not prevent him making an impressive impact through October. Scored the second goal in the win over Ajax with a controlled finish and also notched from the bench away at City. The champions looked very worried after Fati had been introduced, to the point they began running the clock down. Manuel Akanji even went so far as to take a second yellow card in exchange for preventing Fati leading a counter attack in stoppage time.

Pascal Gross
Der Kaiser made his 200th Premier League appearance in the draw with Fulham and naturally marked the occasion with an assist for Evan Ferguson’s goal. The difference he made in midfield at Marseille compared to the absolute shambles which had gone down four days earlier when Brighton lost 6-1 at Aston Villa was marked – including when sweeping home the goal which started the comeback in the South of France.

Igor Julio
Igor! Igor! Igor! The £15 million signing from Fiorentina has had to wait patiently for his chance but is now displaying the sort of attributes which could make him a firm cult hero. Superb in the draw with Liverpool, he showed his versatility by looking equally at home when De Zerbi opted to switch to a back three against Fulham.

Joao Pedro
Having topped the WAB September 2023 Player Ratings, Pedro proved himself the man for the big European nights in October. Ice in his veins to stick away the penalty at Marseille and then showed poachers’ instincts to follow up a parried Kaoru Mitoma shot for the lead against Ajax.

 Loading ...

Poll closes at 8pm on Sunday 5th November