Vote for your March 2024 WAB Brighton Player of the Month

March 2024 was a month where the Roberto De Zerbi fairy tale at Brighton began to lose some of its magic, making it another one of those where putting together a Player of the Month shortlist becomes challenging.

Having exited the FA Cup right at the end of February, the Albion also saw their Europa League adventure ended at the hands of Roma via a 4-1 aggregate defeat.

A 1-0 victory over the Italian giants in the second leg at the Amex did at least provide one final memorable European night under the lights at the Amex.

The only other win of the month arrived four days earlier, when Nottingham Forest were beaten 1-0 thanks to an own goal from Tricky Trees defender Andrew Omobamidele.

Otherwise, there was a heavy 3-0 defeat at Fulham and a 2-1 reversal against title chasing Liverpool. Brighton gave the Redmen something to think about at Anfield that day, providing hope that some sort of challenge for a top eight spot can be put up over the remaining two months of the campaign.

The mood amongst supporters was not helped by De Zerbi’s public griping about the January transfer window, the Albion’s ambition (or implied lack of it) and contract talks subsequently stalling between head coach and club.

Normally reliable names like Lewis Dunk and February 2024 Brighton Player of the Month Pascal Gross underperformed to miss out on the March shortlist entirely, adding to the sense that the Albion are at some sort of crossroads.

Some of the younger members of the squad stepping up with their best form of the season was another positive, especially if in the case of Bart Verbruggen it means the end of De Zerbi’s controversial goalkeeper rotation policy.

Will Verbruggen further cement his place as Brighton number one by winning March 2024 WAB Player of the Month? Or will it be one of the other five candidates recognised for being a shining light in an otherwise difficult four weeks. Over to you…

The candidates for WeAreBrighton.com March 2024 Brighton Player of the Month

Carlos Baleba
Having shown glimpses of potential and talent since his £25 million summer move from Lille, Baleba impressed in back-to-back Premier League starts against Forest and Liverpool. There are shades of Yves Bissouma in his energy, the way he breaks up play and his willingness to drive forward with the ball at his feet. Expect him to make a real mark in 2024-25.

Jakub Moder
The Magic Man has had to wait patiently for opportunities since his November return from 19 months out injured. Like Baleba, he started the Forest and Liverpool games and had a hand in the goals scored in both. It was Moder whose pressure forced Omobamidele to head a Gross corner into his own net against the Tricky Trees and he then claimed the assist for Danny Welbeck’s opener after 85 seconds at Anfield.

Jan Paul van Hecke
Given Van Hecke has to be one of the favourites to win Player of the Season, it is bizarre how he has not been linked with a big money move this summer. Played a big part in clean sheets against Forest and Roma, whilst also doing his bit to keep one-time Brighton target Darwin Nunez quiet against Liverpool.

Joel Veltman
Assured performances in the Forest and Liverpool games reminded everyone of what he brings to the party; namely, more sturdy defensive ability than any other full back in the squad. Was one of the few players to emerge from the Fulham debacle with any credit as well.

Bart Verbruggen
Returned to the starting XI after Jason Steele shipped four in Rome, becoming the first Albion goalkeeper to keep back-to-back clean sheets this season against Forest and in the second leg with Roma. He then went onto make a couple of superb saves at Anfield having earned rave reviews for the Netherlands on international duty.

Danny Welbeck
Welbz is Dat Guy. Goals in the home game with Roma and a lovely strike into the top corner at Liverpool mean he was the only Brighton player to score in March 2024. Might have had a couple more in Rome were it not for Mile Svilar making two fine stops from Welbeck headers.

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Poll closes at 10pm on Sunday 14th April 2024