WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month - August 2015

A summer of excellent recruitment and a change to playing two strikes has paid dividends for Chris Hughton with his side having dropped points only away at Huddersfield Town with wins against Nottingham Forest, Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town all on the board.

All that means a bit of a bumper shortlist for the August Player of the Month poll which includes three of the recent arrivals although it is one of the longest serving players on the list who takes the award.

August 2015 Player of the Month - Kazenga LuaLua (74.45% of the vote)
	Kazenga LuaLua had spent the previous three seasons coasting along looking a shadow of the player who looked a well beater when he first signed for the club in 2010. But Chris Hughton's move to a traditional 4-4-2 has seen him go from impact substitute to a regular starter who has already scored winning goals in three games this season. His strikes against Nottingham Forest, Southend United and Blackburn Rovers were all excellent finishes in 1-0 wins - exactly the sort of games we'd not have triumphed in last year. Long may it continue. Played 7 (6 starts). Scored 4.
	Second: Beram Kayal (6.61% of the vote) Such was LuaLua's dominance of the poll, second and third both received just 6% of the votes. The midfielder continued the first month of this season where he finished the last with a number of dominant midfielder performances. Not to mention that goal after 15 seconds at Huddersfield.
	Third: David Stockdale (6.61% of the vote) Two fine performances ensured two clean sheets and two home victories in August for the Albion. He also made some vital interventions in the win at Fulham and at Ipswich while his reaction to the Shoreham Airshow Disaster has been nothing short of first class.

The contenders:
	Sam Baldock - Playing with a strike partner has instantly made his struggles of last season seem like a distant memory. Scored in an excellent performance away at Fulham, was superb at Ipswich and set up Beram Kayal's opener at Huddersfield with a stunning solo run.
	Gaetan Bong- The first permanent left back signed since Marcos Painter had a fine first month with the club, defending solidly and offering support to the attack. His facial expressions in selfies with supporters have also proven to be a joy to behold.
	Bruno - Many thought the signing of Liam Rosenior would spell the end for Bruno but if anything he looks to be in the best form of his Albion career thanks to the extra competition. Played a huge part in such convincing home defensive performances.
	Gordon Greer - Another that was written off before the season started who has thrived so far in this campaign. The captain has been at the heart of the solid start to the season to the point where the highly rated Lewis Dunk is now out of the team.
	Tomer Hemed - Three goals in four league games represents an excellent start to life for the Israeli striker. He showed nerves of steel to net that last minute winner at Fulham from the penalty spot and his two goals at Ipswich won the game for the Albion.
	Uwe Hunemeier - The BFG arrived a week into the season in a big money move from Paderborn, going straight into the starting line up at Fulham and looking so comfortable it was as if he'd been playing in the team for years. Already appears to be a real bargain.
	Beram Kayal - The driving force in the midfield has continued his excellent form since signing from Celtic in January. Scored in the 1-1 draw at Huddersfield and always in the shakeup when it comes to man of the match awards.
	Kazenga LuaLua - From being a player who has coasted along for the past three seasons, the flying winger looks absolutely invigorated this campaign. Four goals so far including two home winners and one in the win at Ipswich have made him the divisions form player.
	David Stockdale - You can add the "improved thanks to competition for his place" tag to the goalkeeper as well. He has made some vital interventions this season earning two clean sheets along the way.