Games
against Ipswich, Hull, West Ham and Birmingham were
always going to make October a difficult month but three
points from a possible fifteen left the Albion 23rd in
the form table and without a win since September 10th.
Gus Poyet acknowledged that perhaps some of his players
weren't up to it with the arrival of Gonzalo Jara Reyes
and Steve Harper on-loan, but it still hasn't stopped
the rot.
What hasn't helped is the
fact we only managed to score two goals all month, with
Vicente and Craig Noone the men on target as we drew blanks
in three of the five games.
|
October 2011
Player of the Month - Craig Noone (30.56% of the
vote) |
 |
Craig Noone
added his second player of the month award as one of the only Brighton and
Hove Albion players to come out of October with
much credit. After coming off the bench at
Ipswich and home to Hull in the first two games of the month, he scored one of only two goals
that the Seagulls netted in their five games
with a smart volley from a Craig Mackail-Smith
cross away at Millwall and impressed again in
front of a national audience on the Sky Sports
broadcast game at home to West Ham. At this
rate, it won't be long before the big boys come
sniffing
Played 5 (3 starts, 2
sub). Scored 1. |
 |
Second: Gonzalo Jara Reyes (16.67% of the vote)
If anything sums up how poor October was, it is
that a loanee who played in just two games came
second in player of the month. The Chilean
international impressed with his defensive
solidness and his ability on the ball in his appearances against West Ham United
and Birmingham City. |
 |
Third: Craig Mackail-Smith (13.89% of the vote)
Third was a dead-heat between Craig Mackail-Smith
and Gordon Greer so we asked listeners to
November's Albion Moan In to tweet us there pick
from the two and they went with
CMS. Although he didn't score in the month, he
assisted Noone's goal at Millwall and his work
rate is still phenomenal |
|
The
contenders: |
 |
Casper Ankergren - A
mixed month for the goalkeeper. Pulled off a
couple of superb saves against Hull City to
preserve a clean sheet and in the first half at
Millwall before failing to deal with the Lions'
long range goal that ultimately cost him his
place. |
 |
Liam Bridcutt
- Had his first really poor game for the club
against West Ham when giving the ball away for
Kevin Nolan's goal, but still looks like a
player who is at home at this level. Makes the
side tick and when he doesn't play well neither
do the Albion. |
 |
Gordon Greer - The captain continued
his fine season with another decent October.
Played a huge role in the clean sheets against
Birmingham and Hull and dealt admirably with
West Ham's John Carew who gave him the run
around last season at Stoke. |
 |
Steve Harper - Only played twice in
October but the on-loan goalkeeper did well in
both. Bought much needed stability to the
defence, comfortable with the ball at his feet
and deals with every high ball into the box.
Unlucky not to have two clean sheets from two
games. |
 |
Craig Mackail-Smith - May not have scored
in October but his work rate is still
impressive. Looked extremely lively at Millwall
including a superb assist for Craig Noone's
volley. Needs more service if he is to reach his
potential. |
 |
Craig Noone - The former Plymouth man is
undoubtedly the player of the season so far.
Scored at Millwall and ran an extremely
effective and experienced West Ham side ragged.
Premier League clubs will no doubt have an eye
on him before too long. |
 |
Gonzalo Jara
Reyes - Most thought he would slot into the
middle of the park but has played at right back
so far. Not as attacking as Inigo Calderon, he
looks different class on impressed against both
West Ham and Birmingham. |
 |
Vicente -
His appearances in October have once again been
limited by injury, but when he has played looks
like he can be the key man. Incredible goal at
Ipswich and pulled the strings against Hull. The
Albion need to get him fit and keep him fit ASAP. |
