Vote for your WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month for August 2018
Brighton and Hove Albion kicked off the Premier League season with one win out of three, while there was also an early elimination from the Carabao Cup.
Chris Hughton has been seemingly reluctant to chuck the majority of his array of new £50m talent into the starting line up, and that’s reflected in the fact only two new faces feature on the shortlist four our WeAreBrighton.com August Player of the Month poll.
Relying on the guard looked like a particularly poor tactic in a dismal opening day defeat at Watford where only Maty Ryan and substitute Yves Bissouma emerged with any credit.
Yet a week later it was a masterstroke as Manchester United were beaten 3-2 through goals from Glenn Murray, Shane Duffy and Pascal Gross. The only new signing to start that game was Martin Montoya who has been hugely impressive since his £6m arrival from Valencia.
The month was rounded off by an encouraging 1-0 defeat at Liverpool and a less encouraging 1-0 cup exit to Southampton in which the Albion’s backup players flattered to deceive a little.
Yves Bissouma
The £15m signing from Lille already looks the pick of the Albion’s transfer business. He was the best outfield player in stripes in a 15 minute cameo at Watford, was a positive influence away at Liverpool in the number 10 role and looked the real deal in a pretty turgid evening against Southampton.
Shane Duffy
Scored his first goal at the Amex with a poachers finish that most strikers would be proud of in the victory over Manchester United. Struggled at Watford but had a good showing at Liverpool despite missing his regular partner Lewis Dunk who was out injured.
Pascal Gross
Quiet at Watford but back to his buzzing best behind Murray in the victory over Manchester United. Played in a much deeper role against Southampton and the jury is out on whether it worked, but at least Hughton has realised there are so limitations to Gross away from home.
Martin Montoya
Debatable whether he would have got a starting place so soon after arriving from Valencia were it not for an injury to Bruno, but since coming into the side he has been so impressive. One of the quickest players in the squad, he dealt superbly with a lightning quick United threat of Anthony Martial and then Marcus Rashford. Showed his attacking intent at Liverpool with the cross that Gross came so close to equalising from.
Glenn Murray
If one of the £50m strikers in the Premier League scored the goal that he did against United, they’d be playing it on highlight reels for years. Looks as if he is going to continue to be the Albion’s main man despite the fact he is going to be 35 next month.
Maty Ryan
Continued where he left off last season with a string of excellent saves across all three of the Premier League games he played in. While there hasn’t been anything as match winning or spectacular as last season yet, he remains the most consistent player at the club.
Polls close at 8pm on Sunday 2nd September
