Sussex

Joe Sayers
Fan writer

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The return of Jack Hinshelwood could not have come at a better time, as he popped up to score the winner against Brentford on Saturday afternoon.

It's fantastic to see the fruit of our academy contributing to first-team success, with Jack being the first player to graduate every age group since its opening in 2014.

The rise of Hinshelwood feels a little bit more special as I believe he truly embodies the club's long-term vision. Our dream to create a pathway to the Premier League from our academy now has clear positive evidence.

The identity of our football club is clearly deep-rooted, and now with the likes of Harry Howell and James Beadle also rising to the top, it truly is a bright future for coming generations.

His return felt almost symbolic yesterday, especially in how we turned things around just a minute after he was introduced. The belief around the stadium, especially from where I was sitting, certainly lifted.

In a season that has given consistent inconsistency, it's going to be key to get players of Hinshelwood's quality back in and around the starting XI to fully boost our European hopes.

Yes, it's been frustrating so far this season, but it truly feels now that we are building momentum and shifting the margins in our favour. All you have to do is look at the Premier League table so far this season to really understand just how tough it is this year.

With no international break until March, now is the time for us to build on this momentum and continue to do what we know we can do best.

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Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

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Fabian Hurzeler reached the 50-game mark as Brighton head coach this weekend, a milestone that offers a meaningful sample of his impact since taking over at the Amex. In that time, the 32-year-old has delivered 21 wins, 17 draws and 12 defeats, with Brighton scoring 85 goals and conceding 75, collecting 80 points at an average of 1.6 per game.

It is a record that reflects both progress and volatility, but behind the scenes, Hurzeler's influence has been broader and deeper than the numbers alone suggest.

BBC Sport understands that the German coach has been intent on fostering a club-wide culture built not only on hard work and commitment, but also on constant improvement and development. This has been particularly evident in his approach to younger players, while he has been equally keen to lean on the experience and leadership of the senior figures within the dressing room.

Insiders tell BBC Sport that one of the most impressive aspects of Hurzeler's tenure has been his meticulous match preparation. His attention to detail - both in scouting opponents and in adjusting in-game - has been repeatedly highlighted by those within the club. His ability to influence matches with substitutions or react swiftly to opposition tweaks is seen as a significant strength, with Saturday's win over Brentford viewed internally as yet another example of this quality.

His influence stretches beyond the first team, too.

Hurzeler maintains a close relationship with the academy structure, with several youngsters regularly training with and in some cases featuring for the senior squad.

Nehemiah Oriola, Joe Knight and Harry Howell are regarded as some of the brightest prospects currently emerging from Brighton's pathway. Oriola and Knight both made their Premier League debuts in the 3-0 win over Leeds, while Knight also featured in the Carabao Cup victory over Barnsley earlier in the season.

Hurzeler has also played a major role in recruitment since the day he arrived, with that responsibility being a key factor in his decision to take the job. He invests considerable time in long-term squad building and is said to be central to the club's ongoing evolution in squad planning.

As Hurzeler completes his first 50 league games, the sense inside the club is of a head coach deeply embedded in every strand of Brighton's footballing identity and one whose long-term influence may prove just as important as the results on the pitch.

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Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after his penalty save helped Albion beat Brentford: "You prepare for penalties and have a plan, but if someone gets two penalties in one game then it changes the situation a little bit.

"It was more about intuition [for the second], so I am really happy. Luckily I made the right decisions.

"The first half was far below our level, but the second half was maybe one of the best 45 minutes we have played. We have to find more consistency to play that way for a full 90 minutes every week.

"That is the next step for our team and if we can do that, then we can do amazing things with the quality we have in the group."

Striker Danny Welbeck said the win felt "sweeter" after having to come from behind to secure the points.

The ex-Manchester United striker scored the equaliser in the 71st minute before Jack Hinshelwood grabbed the winner on his return from injury.

The 34-year-old now has seven goals in 12 Premier League appearances.

"It makes it all the sweeter," Welbeck told BBC Radio Sussex. "The scenes at the end showed our togetherness. It showed a will, desire, and motivation to be better.

"Our first-half performance wasn't good enough. In the second half we put it right.

"There were some stern words at half-time with everyone getting their point across, but I'm so pleased we came out and had the right reaction to get the three points."

Listen to Verbruggen's full interview on BBC Sounds