Vote now for your WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month for March 2018
After a stunning February, it was back to Earth with a bang somewhat as Brighton and Hove Albion lost three of their four games in March to leave their Premier League future still hanging in the balance.
The month began well enough with a first win of the season over big six opposition as goals from Lewis Dunk and Glenn Murray dispatched Arsenal 2-1 at the Amex, but since then the Albion haven’t won a game or even managed to score a goal.
The victory over the Gunners was followed by a 2-0 defeat at Everton which could’ve been even worse were it not for a brilliant penalty save from Maty Ryan to deny Maty Ryan.
Next came a 2-0 defeat away at Manchester United in the quarter finals of the FA Cup in which Brighton were probably the better side yet had nothing to show for their efforts for the second time this season at Old Trafford and a 2-0 loss at home to Leicester City in which profligacy in front of goal cost us dear.
Given those struggles when it came to putting the ball in the back of the net, its not surprising to see a defence-heavy shortlist for our WeAreBrighton.com March Player of the Month award.
Shane Duffy
It was a good month for the defender as he was named Republic of Ireland’s Player of the Season and was particularly impressive when dealing with Arsenal’s expensively assembled front line in the 2-1 win over the Gunners.
Lewis Dunk
After four own goals, he finally scored at the right end this season with his opener against Arsenal to start off an excellent month in which he skippered the Albion in all four games and looked to be somewhere near back to the best we saw of him in the opening months of the campaign.
Pascal Gross
The assists continue to flow for the German midfielder and he was particularly impressive against Arsenal, outshining his compatriot Mesut Ozil as the best creative midfielder on display.
Beram Kayal
Forced to wait patiently for his chance this season given the form of Davy Propper and Dale Stephens, injury to the latter saw the Israeli midfielder finally given an opportunity with a run of first team games. He responded with a set of decent performances, especially in the Manchester United and Leicester City games.
Davy Propper
With midfield partner Dale Stephens out with a “minor knock” that has so far lasted for three weeks, the Dutchman has had to step up to the plate and carry even more responsibility in the engine room. The result has been his best run of form in a Brighton shirt.
Maty Ryan
Made some vital interventions against Arsenal to help preserve the three points and saved his second penalty in the space of a month with a quite brilliant stop from Wayne Rooney at Goodison Park to help keep the scoreline against Everton slightly respectable.
