Brighton soaring into the top flight
*Warning may contain bird puns.
On the seaside coast, it is a mementos day as Brighton celebrate lifting the Championship trophy and rising into the Premier League for the first time.
After the surprise sacking of Oscar Garcia, barely a few months into his job, the Seagulls decided to recruit internally with youth coach Matt West being promoted to head coach. It was a decision which paid dividends. West got Brighton playing some fine, exhilarating, attacking play which has been compared to Man City form this season. Brighton, at times, have been able to peck down the opposition's defences and pick off teams; as illustrated in the Bournemouth and Wigan game.
However, there have also been criticism of the way West gets his team to play. Brighton were one of the highest teams in terms of fouls and cards. But were the highest teams in terms of interceptions made. Although West stated 'I prefer my players to get stuck in and give everything. I would rather the players commit fouls and receive cards as long as they are giving 100%. Plus a lot of the goals we scored involved us winning the ball back, quickly, near the opposition defence. So I've got no complaints!'
This season Brighton have favoured an attacking 4-2-3-1 tactic. They have relied on the winning the ball quickly and launching devastating fast pace attacks on teams. However, Brighton have not relied all on attack. The two holding midfielders played an essential part with one winning the ball back and the other starting the attack. There is also the solidity in the back four which Brighton can rely on when they attack. There is importance with the full backs, as the inside forwards bomb forward into the box, it gives Brighton width and means the team are not one dimensional.
Looking at the players, West favoured players who fitted into the tactics rather than the quality. The usual front four of Ulloa, Buckley, West and Lopez can destroy teams. All four players reached double figures in terms of assists and goals. The front four were very effective in moving around, finding each other with passes and their link-up play was fantastic at times. In certain spells the players would just float through games with opposition finding it difficult to get to them. If one player was having an off-day the other players would be on form and Brighton didn't have to worry about where the goals were coming from. With the step up in leagues there are question marks over West will favour this front four or look in the transfer market for better players. If they can match the form in the Championship they should have no problem staying up.
A key reason the attacking four were so good was because of the support they received from the two defensive midfielders. Diakite was a steel at 1.6m and probably West's best signing. He would win the ball back, claw down the opposition players so Brighton could start the attack. His importance was illustrated in January when he was out with injuries and suspensions and the team had a poor run of form. And his form in April was one of the reasons Brighton had that unbeaten run.
There are issues surrounding Diakite as he can often be quite reckless as evident by the red cards and issues about whether Brighton can cope without him. Without Diakite Brighton have tried Andrew Crofts, Rohan Ince, Liam Bridcutt and Keith Andrews but none of them have been quite as effective in that role. West might have to dip his pocket into the transfer market to sign a quality back-up.
Alongside Diakite, was the effective Liam Bridcutt. Bridcutt has been described by Brighton fans as the 'Scottish Xavi'. He was one of the highest players in terms of chances created and passes completed. West described him as having 'a bird's eyes view of the pitch. He can somehow make an impossible pass.'
There was another important element which made Bridcutt's game so important. He was highest player, in the Championship, in terms of distance travelled over 90 minutes. He would support the front four as well as provide defensive qualities.
If you look at the defence, Gordon Greer was immense for Brighton with his leadership skills and defensive qualities. Alongside Greer: Dunk, El-Abd and Meekings would play. There will be issues with who West plays alongside Greer in the Premier League. If Brighton want to sustain a place in the league and not concede many goals they will need a solid backbone and have a consistent partnership.
At full-back both Planas and Bruno were excellent. Planas was another great signing by West and has kept Stephen Ward out of the side for most of the season. With Stephen Ward returning to Wolves and the young Adam Chicksen probably not ready for the step up, West will need a quality attacking left back.
There are also concerns with the right back position with Bruno over 30 and has picked up quite a few injuries this season. Calderon is also set to leave at the end of the season. Brighton have been heavily linked with a move for young Sam Byram. We will see how this moves pans out over the summer.
All the players have played their part in a dominant Championship win so it will be interesting to see who West will sign in the summer. Brighton have already picked up Jesse Lingard and a number of foreign youngsters which suggests Brighton will be hoping to sustain a Premier League place for the long term. We will have to wait and see how Brighton and fellow new boys, Blackburn and QPR, do in the Premier League.
