December was another depressing month in the main as a
Brighton and Hove Albion fan until Sami Hyypia finally
did the decent thing and handed in his resignation -
paving the way for FOUR POINTS!!!!!
Those
game with Nathan Jones in caretaker charge with a
come-from-behind draw at home to Reading on Boxing Day and
an unlikely 2-0 victory at Fulham.
Under
Hyypia, there was the now traditional hammering away at
Derby, a spineless defeat at home to fellow relegation
threatened Millwall and a draw away at Wolves which again
featured something that has become a tradition - a last
minute equaliser for the hosts.
|
December 2014
Player of the Month - David Stockdale (31.03% of the
vote) |
 |
For the second month
running, a goalkeeper takes the WeAreBrighton.com
Player of the Month accolade although this time it
is David Stockdale rather than Christian Walton. The
£1.5m signing from Fulham was in inspired form with
a string of fine stops in the draws away at Wolves
and at home to Reading helping to earn much needed
points. He saved the best until last however,
pulling off two genuinely world class saves away at
Fulham to earn a rare clean sheet and help Nathan
Jones' side to a much needed victory in the capital.
Played
5 (5 starts). Scored 0. |
 |
Second: Inigo Calderon (24.14% of the vote)
He may have started just the last three games of the
month but the Spaniard was the epitome of the upturn
following Sami Hyypia's departure showing the sort
of passion that had been solely lacking, no more so
than in netting the late equaliser against Reading. |
 |
Third: Greg Halford (21.84% of the vote)
The loan signing from Nottingham Forest stepped in
at centre back for the home game with Millwall and
never looked back, gaining an assist with a massive
long throw at home to Reading and being an absolute
rock in helping to secure the clean sheet at Fulham. |
|
The
contenders: |
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Elliott Bennett
-
Extended his loan for a second month and
continued to impress with another string of fine
performances including in the win at Fulham. Will be
missed out wide unless Chris Hughton decides to
bring him back. |
 |
Joe Bennett
-
Decision to leave him out of the Millwall game
due to only being allowed to field five loan players
proved just how much of an important part of the
side he has become. Another solid month at left
back. |
 |
Darren Bent
-A striker who can score seems like something of
a novelty. The on-loan Villa man added a touch of
class to the line up, netting at Wolves to make it
two in five before deciding to go to Derby for the
rest of the season. |
 |
Inigo Calderon
- The mans passion, workrate and flair were
exactly what the doctor ordered when Hyppia resigned
and with the captains armband he scored that all
important late equaliser against Reading. |
 |
Adrian Colunga
- Given an extended run of games after return
from suspension, he continued to look lively in
attack and did what a lot of Brighton players
struggle to do - scored a penalty in the win away at
Fulham. |
 |
Lewis Dunk
- Went goalless throughout December but that is
hardly a criticism you should be throwing at a
centre back. Again underlined his growing importance
with a string of strong performances. |
 |
Greg Halford
- Overtook Aaron Hughes as third choice centre
back to get a run in Gordon Greer's absence. Made
one stunning tackle in helping secure the clean
sheet at Fulham and his long throws were an absolute
joy to behold. |
 |
David Stockdale
-
Now we are finally seeing why the Albion forked out
£1.5m for the goalkeeper. Two genuinely world class
saves away at Fulham, an excellent game against
Reading and helped preserved a point at Wolves. |
