prawnsandwich
New member
- Mar 31, 2019
- 4
It is important to point out straight away that what Chris Hughton has achieved at Brighton elevates him to the status of legend. He has done an incredible job, but in football the past cannot be a barometer of the current. And despite a season which will include an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, and on paper a good chance of another season of Premier League football, there are a number of issues that are arising this season that need addressing. And they stem from the manager.
In recent years Brighton has invested a significant amount of money in a squad capable of competing in the Premier League. But despite this investment, Hughton often favours players he knows and trusts from the club’s rise from the Championship. The likes of Dale Stephens, Solly March and Glenn Murray remain his trusted lieutenants.
But it is clear from watching Brighton regularly, that they do not create enough chances in the Premier League. There is a reliance on the team structure to grind out results with a cautious and pragmatic approach to attacking.
Of course, for a team new to the Premier League it is unfair to expect anything more expansive in the first two seasons. But the concern with Hughton is that the reason he trusts the players that served him so well from the Championship, is that they fit into his philosophy and style. Players that are likely more talented, but less disciplined seem to struggle to get a run of games.
The case in point is Jose Izquerdo, who despite being fit now for a few weeks, was left on the bench against Southampton in a game that was crying out for his pace and directness. It is mystifying that if Hughton continually prefers March as an option over Izquerdo. Brighton does not have many players that are international class – and despite being erratic at times – Izquerdo is easily one of the most potent attacking weapons at the club.
But this issue goes beyond Izquerdo. We have seen Murray picked ahead of Andone & Locadia for most of the season. Jahanbakhsh has been a recent starter, and despite looking well off the pace at times, has a real pedigree and had he had earlier opportunities may have been able to adapt more quickly.
The concern with Hughton is that there is a disconnect between his ideas and philosophy and the recruitment strategy. Hopefully with the appointment of Dan Ashton, this can improve. But although players like Izquerdo, Andone and Jahanbakhsh have all suffered injury lay-offs this season, it is a fair question to ask how different the attack could look if they all started together.
The club hierarchy has to question why after a significant investment in the squad the manager chose to rely on what he knows. Does it raise questions about Hughton’s ability to manage elite players? And does it raise questions about whether Hughton has taken the club as far as he can?
The club has done brilliantly well under Hughton, but it needs to evolve if it wants to stay and compete in the Premier League. It needs better players to do that over the long term.
By keeping Izquerdo on the bench in a game you desperately need to win and end up losing 1-0 should trigger some uncomfortable questions for the manager to answer. His past achievements and a great cup run shouldn’t paper over the cracks.
In recent years Brighton has invested a significant amount of money in a squad capable of competing in the Premier League. But despite this investment, Hughton often favours players he knows and trusts from the club’s rise from the Championship. The likes of Dale Stephens, Solly March and Glenn Murray remain his trusted lieutenants.
But it is clear from watching Brighton regularly, that they do not create enough chances in the Premier League. There is a reliance on the team structure to grind out results with a cautious and pragmatic approach to attacking.
Of course, for a team new to the Premier League it is unfair to expect anything more expansive in the first two seasons. But the concern with Hughton is that the reason he trusts the players that served him so well from the Championship, is that they fit into his philosophy and style. Players that are likely more talented, but less disciplined seem to struggle to get a run of games.
The case in point is Jose Izquerdo, who despite being fit now for a few weeks, was left on the bench against Southampton in a game that was crying out for his pace and directness. It is mystifying that if Hughton continually prefers March as an option over Izquerdo. Brighton does not have many players that are international class – and despite being erratic at times – Izquerdo is easily one of the most potent attacking weapons at the club.
But this issue goes beyond Izquerdo. We have seen Murray picked ahead of Andone & Locadia for most of the season. Jahanbakhsh has been a recent starter, and despite looking well off the pace at times, has a real pedigree and had he had earlier opportunities may have been able to adapt more quickly.
The concern with Hughton is that there is a disconnect between his ideas and philosophy and the recruitment strategy. Hopefully with the appointment of Dan Ashton, this can improve. But although players like Izquerdo, Andone and Jahanbakhsh have all suffered injury lay-offs this season, it is a fair question to ask how different the attack could look if they all started together.
The club hierarchy has to question why after a significant investment in the squad the manager chose to rely on what he knows. Does it raise questions about Hughton’s ability to manage elite players? And does it raise questions about whether Hughton has taken the club as far as he can?
The club has done brilliantly well under Hughton, but it needs to evolve if it wants to stay and compete in the Premier League. It needs better players to do that over the long term.
By keeping Izquerdo on the bench in a game you desperately need to win and end up losing 1-0 should trigger some uncomfortable questions for the manager to answer. His past achievements and a great cup run shouldn’t paper over the cracks.
