WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month - May 2013

May 2013 will unfortunately not be a month that is too fondly remembered by Brighton and Hove Albion fans.

Kazenga LuaLua stole the show at home to Wolves with two goals in a 2-0 win that owed more than you'd think to Tomasz Kuszczak as well as we sent the visitors into League One.

Then after a hugely promising 0-0 draw away at Selhurst Park in the first leg of the play offs, things went drastically drastically wrong at home as Palace ran out 2-0 winners to leave Gus Poyet openly questioning whether he would say at the club. Easily the worst night the Amex has had so far.

 

May 2013 Player of the Month - Kazenga LuaLua (37.93% of the vote)
	It was a terrible May come the end of it so it is no surprise as to who has won this months vote. He was the only man to score with a superb display at home to Wolves, netting two goals in a man-of-the-match performance to confirm the visitors dramatic descent from Premier League to League One. His reward - not starting either of the play off games. If missing the first one was understandable given that we were away, not being introduced for the home leg until Palace were 1-0 up was a massive mistake from Gus - especially given the damage he caused when they visited in March. Played 3 (1 start, 2 sub). Scored 2.
	Second: Liam Bridcutt (25.86% of the vote) The Scotland midfield capped an impressive season by being named the clubs official Player of the Season and winning man of the match in the first leg of the play offs at Selhurst Park - with his performance being complimented by no less than Rio Ferdinand on Twitter.
	Third: Wayne Bridge (12.07% of the vote) A good way for the left back to sign off if indeed, as expected, this was to be the last time we see him in an Albion shirt. Kept Wilfried Zaha again unusually quiet until Ian Holloway finally had the idea to switch him to the other flank, at which point our Wembley dreams were ended.

 

The contenders:
	Liam Bridcutt - Had Rio Ferdinand purring in approval of his Palace away performance on Twitter, the clubs official Player of the Season ran the show at Selhurst. He should be playing Premier League football next season
	Wayne Bridge - It was only when Wifried Zaha swapped flanks to go up against Inigo Calderon that the £15m player showed why he was going to Manchester United such was Frankie's finance's dominance in their tussle.
	Gordon Greer - Another two clean sheets alongisde Matt Upson in defence meant that, until Palace visited, the captain and his new defensive partner were yet to lose a game when playing alongside each other.
	Dean Hammond - Had the Albion's best chances at Selhurst Park and on another day would have burried them, making the tie look very different. Has been superb in the last few months, although it remains to be seen whether he will be here next season.
	Tomasz Kuszczak - Made another superb double save at home to Wolves to preserve a clean sheet, one of two he kept in the month. The reason why the Albion's defensive record this season has been second to none.
	David Lopez - Asked to play out of position again against Wolves at right back but he didn't fret. Two quieter games than by his normal standards against Palace but every Brighton fan will have their fingers crossed we keep him for next season.
	Kazenga LuaLua - The only man to score for the Seagulls this month, his was a trademark double against Wolves to relegate them. Criminally underused in the play offs, especially the home leg given the way he had performed on Palace's league visit in March.
	Matt Upson - Unbeaten alongside Gordon Greer before the home leg of the play offs. The Albion had automatic promotion form in the second half of the season, which coincided with the arrival of the Stoke City loanee.