WAB Brighton Power Rankings November 2022
With English domestic football set to return following a six week break for the World Cup, what better time to remind Albion fans of the form Brighton players were in prior to everything going on hold for Qatar 2022.
The Seagulls played three times in November, twice in the Premier League against Wolves and Aston Villa and once in the Carabao Cup.
Roberto De Zerbi resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes for the trip to Arsenal in the latter competition and was rewarded with a 3-1 win over the Premier League leaders.
This lack of changes means that only 20 players were used through November, a low total compared to previous months where Carabao Cup ties have taken place.
A 3-2 victory at Wolves and a 2-1 defeat against Villa made for a bit of a mixed bag in terms of league performances, leaving those who performed consistently over all three games towards the top of the WAB Brighton Power Rankings.
1) Lewis Dunk – 69.72
The Brighton captain gave a series of solid performances through November as he chased a late call up to the final England World Cup squad having been named on the preliminary 55-man list of those under consideration for Qatar. The one blot on his copybook came when conceding a needless penalty against Villa, but his place atop the Power Rankings shows that did not unduly impact on his scores.
2) Pascal Gross – 68.89
November was a month in which Gross showed his versatility. Continued at right back and scored from his unfamiliar role away at Wolves. Was a pre-planned half time introduction as a holding midfielder against Arsenal, brining greater control of possession to the Albion who scored twice with him on the pitch.
3) Moises Caicedo – 68.33
Another strong set of performances from a midfielder whose World Cup exploits have put him further under the spotlight. An early yellow card limited his effectiveness somewhat at Arsenal but that night at the Emirates remains one of the only games this season where he has not been an authoritative presence.
4) Solly March – 66.11
One of the players who has most thrived since Glow Up Graham was replaced by Roberto De Zerbi. A dazzling display on the right at Wolves was followed by him playing the perfect through ball for Danny Welebeck to race clear and earn a penalty at the Emirates Stadium.
5) Danny Welbeck – 62.50
Dat Guy finally opened his account for the campaign when winning and converting a spot kick to level the scores against Arsenal. Had to settle for a place on the bench at Wolves before returning to the Premier League starting XI when Kaoru Mitoma was ruled out of the Villa game with illness.
6) Kaoru Mitoma – 60.28
Voted WAB November 2022 Brighton Player of the Month in an absolute landslide based on 135 minutes of astonishing football against Wolves and Arsenal. He sits sixth in the Power Rankings on account of the fact that he missed the Aston Villa game – and it showed. Brighton were toothless without him.
7) Alexis Mac Allister – 50.00
Continues to make things look ridiculously easy in the holding midfield role he has inherited from Yves Bissouma. Scored the Albion’s fastest Premier League goal of the season against Villa and did lots of good things at Wolves. Rested for the Arsenal match.
8) Adam Webster – 48.33
Has not been at his best so far this season and the emergence of Levi Colwill might put his place in the starting XI under threat in the second half of the campaign. Having said that, Brighton did miss him in the Villa defeat as Danny Ings found everything far too easy on his way to bagging a brace.
9) Billy Gilmour – 47.78
Rumours have begun circling linking Gilmour with a January move just four months after Brighton paid £9 million to bring him in from Chelsea. He did okay in a rare start against Arsenal. More telling was that De Zerbi took the riskier option of pitching teenager Julio Enciso into Premier League action against Villa when Adam Lallana limped off rather than introducing Gilmour.
10) Adam Lallana – 46.94
Like Mitoma, Lallana was sorely missed after picking up an injury four minutes into the Villa defeat. He had given one of his best performances as a Brighton player a week earlier, scoring himself and then assisting for Mitoma at Molineux.
11) Tariq Lamptey – 45.56
Premier League chances continue to be limited for the right back. De Zerbi experimented with him at left back against Arsenal and it ended up being a roaring success with Lamptey giving Brighton the lead with a lovely run and finish early in the second half.
12) Robert Sanchez – 45.56
Question marks over his role in the weak Ings goal which proved to be Villa’s winner. His poor penalty saving record continues to draw attention.
13) Leandro Trossard – 45.56
From first in the October Power Rankings to 13th in November. That is explained by the Vampire of Genk being rested for Arsenal and having the nerve not to score a hat-trick as he had at Liverpool last month.
14) Pervis Estupinan – 45.00
A good performance at Wolves showed what he can do and there has since been further evidence with his efforts for Ecuador at the World Cup. Plenty to be excited about when the Albion return to action as it feels like De Zerbi has barely scratched the surface of what Estupinan is capable of.
15) Levi Colwill – 44.44
Shone at Arsenal and then made an accomplished Premier League debut in the Villa defeat. His ability on the ball and being naturally left footed adds balance in a back four. Will be interested to see whether he can oust Webster in the second half of the season.
16) Joel Veltman – 39.72
De Zerbi preferred to stick with a back four and Gross at right back through November, meaning Veltman only started in the Carabao Cup. Played an important role as one of the more experienced heads in the Albion line up that night.
17) Deniz Undav – 39.17
Like Gilmour, he has been linked with a transfer window move having found first team opportunities limited. Played a part in the Gross winner at Wolves but struggled to have much of an impact in an extended 30 minute run out against Villa.
18) Julio Enciso – 37.78
Decent at Arsenal but Villa served as a reminder that he is still very young and very raw. Replaced the injured Lallana before being replaced himself after frequently losing the ball. The talent is clearly there; he just needs time and patience.
19) Jeremy Sarmiento – 23.61
His showing against Arsenal was promising. Another who should be knocking on the door for more Premier League minutes after the winter break.
20) Jason Steele – 23.06
A classic Steele performance at Arsenal. Some important saves early in the second half mixed in with some pretty hairy moments. It is never dull with him around and that is why we all love him.
The WAB Power Rankings are formulated through our matchday player scores. To play your part, make sure to follow us on Twitter and leave your post game player ratings in the relevant thread.
