WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Month - February 2018
February has proven to be one of the best months of
Brighton and Hove Albion's 2017-18 season so far as they
went unbeaten in the league moving up into 11th spot in
the process and secured a place in the FA Cup Quarter
Final for the first time in 32 years.
This
success was largely based on a new-found desire to
attack at home, which saw the Albion plunder 10 goals in
their three games at the Amex as West Ham United and
Coventry City were beaten 3-1 and Swansea City were
vanquished 4-1.
Glenn Murray grabbed four goals in in four appearances,
Jose Izquierdo notched two in three including a shoe-in
for our Goal of the Season Award and Pascal Gross and
Anthony Knockaert also weighed in with one apiece.
The only game which the Seagulls failed to win was away
at Stoke City where they came away from the Bet365
Stadium with a credible draw thanks to some last minute
heroics from Maty Ryan who saved a stoppage time
penalty.
February 2018
Player of the Month - Jose Izquierdo (42.81% of
the vote)
It's taken him a while
to settle in England, but there is seemingly no
turning back now for Jose Izquierdo after a
remarkable February. Before the second month of
2018, the Colombian had been involved in four goals
in 20 games - in February, he was involved in three
in three. He scored the undoubted goal of the season
against West Ham United with an absolutely fantastic
effort from way out on the right and he was the man
who finished off the passing move away at Stoke
that, had Manchester City scored, would have had the
pundits creaming themselves silly. He now looks an
absolute bargain at £13m.
Played 4 (4 starts, 0 sub). Scored 2.
Second: Glenn Murray (37.38% of the vote)
How good Izquierdo has been is shown by the fact
that he pushed Glenn Murray into second spot. The
veteran striker netted four goals in four games to
take his tally into double figures, only behind
Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Raheem Sterling in the
Premier League list of English scorers.
Third: Maty Ryan (11.82% of the vote)
The Australian number one continues to impress with
his most telling contribution of February coming
away at Stoke where he pulled off a quite fantastic
penalty save in the 92nd minute of the game to earn
the Albion a point from the Bet365 Stadium.
The
contenders:
Gaetan Bong
-
Another solid month for the left back who has really
made the spot his own. His performance against West
Ham United was particularly enthralling, having more
touches in the oppositions half than his own.
Pascal Gross
-
The reduction in the number of games to one a week
in February has helped the German who has never
played without a winter break before in his life.
Now up to seven assists this season, he added his
fifth goal in the win over West Ham.
Jose Izqueirdo -
The Colombian was involved in four goals in his 20
games for the Albion, - in February, he has three in
three. His pace, directness and unpredictability
caused all manner of issues for Premier League full
backs and he is beginning to look every bit a £13m
player
Glenn Murray -
We're running out of words to describe Glenn Murray
this season. Four goals in four games in February
takes him into double figures for the season, only
behind Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Raheem Sterling
in the list of English scorers. Unbelievable.
Maty Ryan -
Hasn't had as much to do this month but when called
upon he has again proved himself a steal at £5m. If
we survive relegation by one point come the end of
the season, that penalty save at Stoke City will
look all the more vital than it did at the time.
Dale Stephens -
He's taken his time to find his feet in the Premier
League, but now doesn't look at all out of place. A
month of tidy performances including playing a big
role in that sweeping passing goal at Stoke
