Vote for your WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month for August 2013
The Oscar Garcia era got off to a decent start giving all the fun and games surrounding Gus Poyet’s summer departure as Brighton and Hove Albion recorded two wins, a draw and three defeats in the opening month of the 2013-14 season.
It took a controversial last minute goal for The Leeds United to secure victory at Elland Road and the less said about the elimination from the Capital One Cup at the hands of League Two newcomers Newport County and the home game with Derby the better really.
Since that opening week though there has been no looking back, in part thanks to the arrival of Stephen Ward who’s signing on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers saw the Albion pick up seven points from a possible nine in the final three games of the month with wins at Birmingham City and home to Burnley and a draw with Milllllllllll.
Leonardo Ulloa has been scoring for fun just as he did at the end of the last season, netting four times in six league games while losing Liam Bridcutt to injury hasn’t been anywhere near the blow we all imagined it to be thanks to the form of Rohan Ince who has impressed following his promotion from the stiffs.
Will Buckley
Oscar seems to be attempting to turn him into a centre forward and although there is some doubt about how that experiment is working out, he has still weighed in with a couple of assists despite playing below what we know is his best.
Inigo Calderon
Started the season pretty unconvincingly when played out of position at left back up at Leeds but since Bruno’s injury he has been excellent at right back. It was no surprise the Albion fell apart without him to lose against a side from two divisions below after that harsh red card against Newport.
Andrew Crofts
Never really got going last season in an injury hit campaign but he has hit the ground running this time around, scoring in the wins at Birmingham and at home to Burnley. One of several players who looks to be thriving since the change of management.
Rohan Ince
Made his competitive debut against Newport in the League Cup before being thrown in at the deep end after Bridcutt’s injury for his first league appearance against Derby. He Has looked superb at times and softened what could have been a considerable blow with the loss of the Albion’s key player.
Leonado Ulloa
Where would we be without that man from Argentina? Four goals in five league games and the subject of a cheeky bid from Crystal Palace. Holding onto him will be the key if the Albion are to do anything this season.
Matthew Upson
His signing in the summer looks to have been a key one. The former England international has hardly lost a thing in the air and has to be up there with the best defenders in the league. He is fast becoming the key player at the heart of the defence.
Stephen Ward
It is no coincidence that his arrival saw just one goal conceded in three games after seven flying in during the previous three. Solid defensively and while he may not look to attack as much as Wayne Bridge, he still possesses a fine delivery with his left foot.
