Brighton setting their sights on European adventure
After a brilliant finish to last season and an amazing start to this one, Brighton are starting to look like the real deal.
Graham Potter has his side hitting their best form since reaching the top flight in 2017, so much so that a European berth is no longer the stuff of fantasy, but a plausible reality.
Brighton finished ninth last time out, just seven points behind Manchester United in sixth, conceding fewer goals than 14 other Premier League sides. If they can improve their attacking returns this season, a push for a European spot could easily be on the cards.
The challenge for the Seagulls now is to prove that last year was not a fluke. Most Brighton fans are realistic to know that repeating the magic will be harder than the original trick, especially after star men Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella headed out the doors of the Amex this summer.
However, they have an excellent manager at the helm in Potter to guide them through this year and with positive results in their opening two matches against potential rivals for said European slots in Manchester United and Newcastle, the early signs are encouraging. For once Albion fans can start a campaign looking ahead of them instead of dreading the drop.
The reason Brighton’s story this year is one of optimism is in large part down to the work of their manager. Potter has shown why he is one of the smartest managers in the Premier League.
The fluid way his Brighton side adapts its tactics game by game, and even in-game from time to time, is truly special. No matter the changes to the team sheet or positions, his team’s performance does not drop.
He has transformed a team from perennial relegation contenders into a real force in genuine contention for midweek European nights. If you fancy a bet on the Seagulls to break into the European spots this year, make sure to use these betting offers.
The team’s style of football has come along as well. Gone are the days of hopeful long balls and a distinct lack of creativity in possession under Chris Hughton, in its place, excellent defensive structures and free-flowing attacking football.
Brighton now routinely create big chances no matter their opponents, and minor stutters along the way are often fixed immediately by Potter and his support staff.
Those tactical tweaks to his setup resulted in convincing wins over Arsenal, Tottenham and United last season, they don’t fear anyone and rightfully so.
It hasn’t always been sunshine and roses at the Amex though as they did throw away plenty of points from winning positions last year which ultimately cost them an even better finish in the league, something Potter will have to improve on if they are to reach their lofty targets this term.
Nonetheless, their fans enter the new season rightfully confident in their side’s chances and would be hoping the British manager sticks around to make sure that the south coast club plays host to European football next year.
The phenomenal success of last season means Brighton fans can expect a top-half finish this term and whilst the man in the dugout can take a lot of credit for that, his players’ exceptional performances are at the heart of this Albion project.
Marc Cucurella and Enock Mwepu set them on the road to recovery and hit great form in the run-in. Mwepu is set to star this season while Cucurella’s performances in just those six months saw him become one of the best wing-backs in the league and had big spenders Chelsea splashing the cash for him this summer.
Moises Caicedo is another player worthy of a mention as the Ecuadorian midfielder is one of the main reasons Brighton have become so hard to break down in the midfield.
Exceptional showings from the likes of Leandro Trossard, Adam Webster, and veteran Danny Welbeck have also been key contributors to the Seagulls’ success.
They will have to make do without the defensive prowess of Cucurella and Yves Bissouma after big summer moves to Chelsea and Tottenham respectively, but if Brighton have proved anything over the last 12 months it’s that they can pick up the slack and go again.
As for the here and now, Brighton appear to be picking up where they left off. Albion were the most effective Premier League side away from home last season and proved it yet again with their brilliant 2-1 victory over Manchester United on the opening day of the new campaign.
Last season, Brighton were one of just five Premier League teams to have fared better on the road than at home, earning seven more points on their travels than they did at the Amex, making them the most dangerous away side in the division, a point they proved emphatically on Erik Ten Hag’s introduction to the Premier League.
Pascal Gross’ first-half double stunned the home supporters as United were totally outplayed in that opening period by Graham Potter’s side, who only recently beat them 4-0 at the Amex Stadium in May. Not even Cristiano Ronaldo could deny Brighton the result of the opening day weekend.
Furthermore, any perceived weakness after the outgoings in the transfer window were put to rest as none of Brighton’s summer signings started this match, but they still put in a superb showing.
Brighton controlled midfield and dominated from there; it was as thorough an opening day performance as you could have hoped for at Old Trafford.
Potter’s side did not replicate the success of their opening fixture against Newcastle though. Frustrated by some stern Magpie defence and two goal-line clearances, the Seagulls were thwarted at the Amex and left with just a point.
But this result arguably shows just how far they have come; walking away from a tough match with a resurgent Newcastle, a potential European challenger I might add, with a point and disappointment at only four points from a possible six is a situation most of the big six clubs would be used to, it was the stuff of dreams a few years ago for Albion fans.
There’s no doubt that Brighton have come a long way under Potter and with one big push this season it might have them packing their bags for a European road trip.
