Tariq Lamptey voted WAB November 2021 Brighton Player of the Month

December 8, 2021January 10, 2022 WeAreBrighton.com 0 Comments

Three winnable games against clubs in the bottom six of the Premier League resulted in zero victories for Brighton during November 2021, but there was at least something for Seagulls fans to cheer – the return from injury of Tariq Lamptey.

Lamptey made his first three starts following 10 months out with a hamstring injury. He was the shining light in all three as the Albion failed to beat bottom of the pile Newcastle United, 15th placed 1982 European Cup winners Aston Villa and 16th placed 1996 Coca Cola Cup runners up The Leeds United.

The visit of the Saudi Sportswashers to the Amex saw Lamptey named in Graham Potter’s starting XI for the first time since December 2020.

With his game time being carefully managed, Lamptey made it through 75 minutes before he was withdrawn. Newcastle enjoyed their best spell in the final quarter of an hour he missed and would have left Sussex with a win had Robert Sanchez not taken one for the team and wiped out Callum Wilson as he ran clean through in the last few minutes.

Aston Villa away was essentially a repeat but with a worst outcome. Lamptey was sensational at Villa Park, running Matty Targett ragged.

He rampaged down the right on numerous occasions to flash low balls into the box which, had Potter decided to operate with an actual centre forward rather than a false nine, might have resulted in a goal.

Instead, nobody was on the end to convert. Lamptey was then substituted again with 15 minutes remaining, after which Villa broke the Albion’s dominance to score twice and end their five game losing streak.

Lamptey saved his best performance of November 2021 for last when The Leeds United visited Brighton. Peacocks left back Junior Firpo was booked inside of just eight minutes as he was given a torrid time from the opening whistle.

In the first half alone, Lamptey created five goal scoring opportunities – more than the 21 other players on the pitch combined.

It was the sort of dazzling display that will have scouts from Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid taking a keen interest in Lamptey’s services once again.

Despite his best efforts, it finished Brighton 0-0 The Leeds United to complete a miserable month of results for the Albion.

When we put together our WAB November 2021 Brighton Player of the Month poll, we thought Lamptey would win it by a landslide.

That Leandro Trossard managed to take nearly 25 percent of the votes himself is a credit to how the Vampire of Genk performed.

Trossard spent most of November playing as a false nine with the burden of both scoring goals and creating chances falling upon him.

He did manage to notch the only goal of the month, earning and then converting the penalty which gave the Albion the lead in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle United.

Trossard gave Villa plenty to think about and was unlucky to hit the post against The Leeds United. That Leeds game with Neal Maupay restored to the starting XI alongside him was Trossard’s best of the month, proving that he works best against opposition lower down the table when given a partner.

Others are seemingly now taking notice of Trossard. The end of November brought rumours of Barcelona interest with the Spanish giants being linked with a £30 million move for his services.

In the event of a bid from one of the biggest clubs in the world, Brighton would be left with quite the dilemma, as it would surely be an opportunity too good for Trossard to turn down.

Trossard might be a future Barcelona player. A former product of Camp Nou finished third in our poll as Marc Cucurella continued his impressive start to life in England.

Cucurella topped the WAB Power Rankings for October and that form fed into November, where he was able to dovetail with Lamptey down the other flank for the first time.

It may not have resulted in any Albion victories, but it was still glorious to see – especially at Villa, where Brighton were so threatening in wide positions. Again, what a day for Potter to elect to start with a false nine.

Cucurella’s attacking abilities may take most of the headlines, but he also showed that he is an excellent defender too. A massive reason Brighton dictated the game against The Leeds United was because Cucurella kept Raphina so quiet.

With their main creative spark unable to get into proceedings, the Peacocks struggled to create anything until the final 10 minutes.

Cucurella delivered at both ends of the pitch in November which – combined with his wonderful hair – means it is no surprise that he is already a firm fan favourite.