Expectations for Brighton and Hove Albion
Last season was one of elation for Brighton and Hove Albion, as they secured promotion back to the top flight for the first time in decades, but since the new Premier League season kicked off they have received a rude awakening to the realities of life there.
Brighton managed just one point, and no goals, from their opening three matches – suggesting life was going to be tough for them.
There is no question that the start to the season was not what manager Chris Hughton or his players would have hoped for, but it should be recognised that they were playing favourites for the title Manchester City and a revitalised Leicester City in those two initial defeats.
These are not necessarily fixtures that anyone would have expected them to get points from before the season started – although there is no question that the poor start did derail a little of last season’s momentum. Brighton did not actually perform badly against City, frustrating the big money side for a long stretch of the game, only to succumb to a couple of late goals – but the first two matches did demonstrate that the team lacked much in the way of goal threat.
They failed to secure a striker before, meaning that they will be reliant on those that scored the goals to secure promotion – but they did manage to sign £13.5 million winger Jose Izquierdo, who they will be hoping will add some pace and provide the assists for their existing forwards once he settles in. They have also improved their squad in other areas by bringing in goalkeeper Matt Ryan and midfielder Davy Propper, and there have been encouraging signs in the last couple of matches.
Brighton got their season going with a narrow 1-0 home win over Barnet in the League Cup, before picking up their first point in a goalless draw away at Watford. But it was the most recent match that will have offered the most hope as they beat an in-form West Bromwich Albion at the Amex Stadium. Not only did this secure an essential first win, but Brighton also scored three goals – including a brace for Pascal Gross.
The really exciting thing for Brighton fans about this victory was that it was achieved by playing the kind of classy possession football that saw them promoted, demonstrating that it is possible for Brighton to get results at the higher level playing the same style of football.
Their failure to retain the ball or make decent use of it was at the heart of those two early defeats, so the return to their core principles in the last game offers real hope to their supporters that they are getting to grips with the league, although only the most fanatical among them are likely to take up the 750/1 odds on them emulating Leicester City’s Premier League triumph of two seasons ago.
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