Losing Gaetan Bong to a knee injury for a period so far unspecified is cruelly timed for Albion.
The damage suffered by Bong as he passed the ball in the dying moments of Saturday’s deadlock against Preston at the Amex has robbed the Seagulls of the renewal of a partnership which has played a big part in their early season success.
Kazenga LuaLua is closing in on a return from groin trouble.
The instant rapport between the explosive left-winger and fellow African Bong served the Seagulls well in the first seven league games.
They are on the same wavelength on and off the pitch.
Congolese flyer LuaLua highlighted his understanding with Cameroon left-back Bong after scoring the only goal on the opening night of the season against Nottingham Forest.
“Gaetan has been unbelievable since he came in pre-season,” LuaLua said. “He’s a French speaker so we get on very well.
“We speak to each other in French. Our connection has been good. He’s been helping me. He’s very strong as well.”
This complicates the puzzle for Hughton of the best way to cope with the absence of Bong.
He has three options. Switch Liam Rosenior, depend on Inigo Calderon or dip into the loan market.
Exploiting Rosenior’s versatility is the most obvious solution.
He has played at left-back many times throughout his career, including in the Premier League for Hull.
The downside is that would disrupt the intuitive partnership Rosenior has developed playing on the right-side of midfield with Bruno.
Rosenior is not as much of an outright winger in the role as Jamie Murphy or Solly March but using him in that position has been effective.
Calderon, although experienced and reliable, has played at left-back far less throughout his career than Rosenior.
Having a left-back on loan is nothing new for Albion. Wayne Bridge, Stephen Ward and Joe Bennett were all season-long occupiers of the position prior to the permanent capture of Bong, pictured, in the summer.
The loan transfer window shuts in less than a month and there is then a gap of more than five weeks until the January window.
Can Hughton afford to run the risk of losing Rosenior, Calderon, pictured, or both after the cut-off and have no cover for seven key games, many of them against chasing rivals? Although it is a major pain for the manager to be missing Bong, he will be delighted to have LuaLua within reach again.
There is no pressure to rush him back from the groin injury sustained in training ahead of the late September trip to Bolton now that Murphy is available after his suspension for a controversial red card in the same match. LuaLua is too important to take any risks with.
He has added goals to his cocktail of short-burst pace and power this season. As well as Forest he scored the only goal against Blackburn at the Amex, where opponents are sufficiently fearful to often gang up on him.
LuaLua also provided the breakthrough at Ipswich to help secure another victory.
It is no coincidence that Albion have won more games with LuaLua than without him. He offers an attacking thrust which nobody else in the squad can.
Whether it is at Reading on Saturday, at Sheffield Wednesday the following Tuesday or in the next home game against MK Dons four days later, Hughton will be relieved to have him back.
It is just a pity LuaLua will not have Bong behind him.
Original article
The damage suffered by Bong as he passed the ball in the dying moments of Saturday’s deadlock against Preston at the Amex has robbed the Seagulls of the renewal of a partnership which has played a big part in their early season success.
Kazenga LuaLua is closing in on a return from groin trouble.
The instant rapport between the explosive left-winger and fellow African Bong served the Seagulls well in the first seven league games.
They are on the same wavelength on and off the pitch.
Congolese flyer LuaLua highlighted his understanding with Cameroon left-back Bong after scoring the only goal on the opening night of the season against Nottingham Forest.
“Gaetan has been unbelievable since he came in pre-season,” LuaLua said. “He’s a French speaker so we get on very well.
“We speak to each other in French. Our connection has been good. He’s been helping me. He’s very strong as well.”
- Big decision for Hughton as Albion prepare for Bong lay-off
- Forster-Caskey back with Albion and in contention for Reading game
- Talking Point: Staying top of the tree by Christmas could make such a difference for Albion
- 'Kid from Madrid' makes Albion debut at last
- Albion rivals land familiar face to boss Hughton
This complicates the puzzle for Hughton of the best way to cope with the absence of Bong.
He has three options. Switch Liam Rosenior, depend on Inigo Calderon or dip into the loan market.
Exploiting Rosenior’s versatility is the most obvious solution.
He has played at left-back many times throughout his career, including in the Premier League for Hull.
The downside is that would disrupt the intuitive partnership Rosenior has developed playing on the right-side of midfield with Bruno.
Rosenior is not as much of an outright winger in the role as Jamie Murphy or Solly March but using him in that position has been effective.
Calderon, although experienced and reliable, has played at left-back far less throughout his career than Rosenior.
Having a left-back on loan is nothing new for Albion. Wayne Bridge, Stephen Ward and Joe Bennett were all season-long occupiers of the position prior to the permanent capture of Bong, pictured, in the summer.
The loan transfer window shuts in less than a month and there is then a gap of more than five weeks until the January window.
Can Hughton afford to run the risk of losing Rosenior, Calderon, pictured, or both after the cut-off and have no cover for seven key games, many of them against chasing rivals? Although it is a major pain for the manager to be missing Bong, he will be delighted to have LuaLua within reach again.
There is no pressure to rush him back from the groin injury sustained in training ahead of the late September trip to Bolton now that Murphy is available after his suspension for a controversial red card in the same match. LuaLua is too important to take any risks with.
He has added goals to his cocktail of short-burst pace and power this season. As well as Forest he scored the only goal against Blackburn at the Amex, where opponents are sufficiently fearful to often gang up on him.
LuaLua also provided the breakthrough at Ipswich to help secure another victory.
It is no coincidence that Albion have won more games with LuaLua than without him. He offers an attacking thrust which nobody else in the squad can.
Whether it is at Reading on Saturday, at Sheffield Wednesday the following Tuesday or in the next home game against MK Dons four days later, Hughton will be relieved to have him back.
It is just a pity LuaLua will not have Bong behind him.
Original article