Liam Ridgewell can be a “clever” addition to Albion’s squad as he prepares to return to life in the Championship.
That is the view of his former Birmingham City defensive sidekick Curtis Davies.
In fact, the Hull City centre-back believes he showed that on his debut.
Ridgewell’s performance was one of the more positive aspects of Albion’s FA Cup exit on Saturday.
The second half was better than the first. He was perhaps fortunate to escape a booking early on and made an unconvincing challenge in the incident which brought Hull their penalty.
But he slid a lovely ball into the feet of Andrew Crofts in Albion’s most promising moment of the first half – or first 75 minutes.
And there was some good defending in the second period, notably blocking a goalbound Sone Aluko shot on the six-yard line and showing a bit of savvy to break up a very threatening counter raid and win a free-kick off Robert Snodgrass.
Davies recognised some familiar traits in that moment as Ridgewell bided his time, nicked possession as the last defender and then won a soft free-kick.
Curtis Davies believes Albion's*new defender has the tricks*of the trade
The Tigers*star told The Argus: “He adds a lot of experience. He is a very clever player.
“He offers quality as well. It is one thing having experience when you just pick a player because of his name.
“But Liam Ridgewell will improve Brighton’s squad. He knows how to play the game.
“He gets those little fouls, he’s brilliant at it.
“He is clever like that. But he is a clever footballer as well.
“He picks the right passes. He is not one who will try to pass through the eye of the needle and think he is Franz Beckenbauer.
“But he is a very comfortable footballer.
“With the way Brighton play, he will fit in very well and add to their squad.”
Ridgewell is likely to make his Championship debut for the Seagulls at Rotherham tomorrow.
Original article
That is the view of his former Birmingham City defensive sidekick Curtis Davies.
In fact, the Hull City centre-back believes he showed that on his debut.
Ridgewell’s performance was one of the more positive aspects of Albion’s FA Cup exit on Saturday.
The second half was better than the first. He was perhaps fortunate to escape a booking early on and made an unconvincing challenge in the incident which brought Hull their penalty.
But he slid a lovely ball into the feet of Andrew Crofts in Albion’s most promising moment of the first half – or first 75 minutes.
And there was some good defending in the second period, notably blocking a goalbound Sone Aluko shot on the six-yard line and showing a bit of savvy to break up a very threatening counter raid and win a free-kick off Robert Snodgrass.
Davies recognised some familiar traits in that moment as Ridgewell bided his time, nicked possession as the last defender and then won a soft free-kick.
Curtis Davies believes Albion's*new defender has the tricks*of the trade
The Tigers*star told The Argus: “He adds a lot of experience. He is a very clever player.
“He offers quality as well. It is one thing having experience when you just pick a player because of his name.
“But Liam Ridgewell will improve Brighton’s squad. He knows how to play the game.
“He gets those little fouls, he’s brilliant at it.
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“He is clever like that. But he is a clever footballer as well.
“He picks the right passes. He is not one who will try to pass through the eye of the needle and think he is Franz Beckenbauer.
“But he is a very comfortable footballer.
“With the way Brighton play, he will fit in very well and add to their squad.”
Ridgewell is likely to make his Championship debut for the Seagulls at Rotherham tomorrow.
Original article