Aspinall questions Brighton's mentalitypublished at 10:32 BST 8 October
10:32 BST 8 October
Image source, Getty Images
Former Brighton forward Warren Aspinall was critical of the Seagulls' performance in drawing 1-1 at Wolves on Sunday. The result left them 12th in the Premier League after seven games.
Speaking on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Aspinall didn't hold back, saying Brighton failed to show the intensity and attitude required against a struggling Wolves side.
"I'm disappointed. We played a team that conceded 14 goals and scored four," Aspinall said. "They've played six, won none, lost five and drawn one. You have got to go to a team like that and win, and convincingly.
"To do that, you have to start with high-tempo football, urgency.
"We played against Chelsea and finished on a high and then turned up against Wolves, thinking just going to win by turning up. It doesn't work like that.
"You have to be at it from the start in every game and that's why the top clubs are up there, because they have good players with a good attitude."
Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up
🎧 Lack of bite at Wolvespublished at 16:34 BST 7 October
16:34 BST 7 October
Join Johnny Cantor, Warren Aspinall and Guy Butters as they react to Brighton's 1-1 draw with Wolves - a result that leaves the Seagulls 12th in the Premier League after seven games.
The trio break down the performance, debating standout displays, missed chances and where improvements are still needed before a busy run of fixtures after the international break.
Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up
Should Dunk make way? How to Albion stop conceding?published at 09:21 BST 7 October
09:21 BST 7 October
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Sir Alex Ferguson famously said "attack wins you games, defence wins you titles".
Now nobody is saying Brighton are going to win a Premier League title anytime soon. European qualification seems a million miles away at the moment.
But the Albion do have a defensive problem. It is something which seems to have gone a under the radar compared to pondering about identity under Fabian Hurzeler and an inability to beat any opponent in the bottom half of the Premier League.
In their past 28 Premier League games going back to the end of December, Brighton have recorded four clean sheets.
Two came against relegated duo Southampton and Ipswich, with one at Molineux last season when Wolves were already on the beach.
That means the only truly impressive shutout of the past nine months came when Chelsea were thrashed 3-0 at the Amex in February.
Regular Brighton watchers will not be surprised by this. The Albion have given away so many poor goals that it makes recording clean sheets virtually impossible.
Take the weekend draw at Wolves. A terrible attempt at clearing a free kick allows Marshall Munetsi to volley against the bar. The ball crashes into Bart Verbruggen and rebounds in for a ridiculous yet also comical own goal.
You might think this lack of shutouts would lead Hurzeler to try something different. Brighton signed two new centre backs in the summer, yet Diego Coppola and Olivier Boscagli are still awaiting their full Premier League debuts.
Hurzeler has swapped his full backs around but continues to religiously stick with Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk.
Where it gets interesting is that all four of those most recent clean sheets came with Van Hecke partnered by Adam Webster.
Dunk has been in the Albion starting XI for just two clean sheets in a calendar year – the 0-0 draw with Brentford in December and a 1-0 win at Newcastle last October.
Hurzeler needs to solve the question of why Brighton cannot prevent opponents from scoring. Is taking his captain out of the firing line the answer?
Mel: Second week running the coaching staff have lost us points. This week against Brighton, Wolves went defensive with 35 minutes to go. The coaching staff lack confidence in their players, so the players lack confidence in themselves.
Doug: This is the first season where I am seriously concerned about our ability to survive relegation. Lack of urgency and attacking intent throughout, especially for the equaliser. No cohesion understandably with half a new team but surely passing the ball is a good idea instead of running into dead ends constantly. Make Jorgen Strand Larsen the captain as he shows the fight lacking in the rest of the team.
Mark: Much better performance. Two hard-fought draws against very good teams - hopefully onwards and upwards.
AJC: Wolves used to have an identity. I don't recognise the team anymore. We're just another Premier League team full of international players making good money without any connection to the club. We will go down. We must be the most defensive-minded, boring team in the league by a mile. Who goes to a back five with 30 minutes to go, sacrificing a striker in the process? Vitor Pereira has said how much working in the Premier LeagueL means to him. If he's not careful, he will blow his chance. The club is on a very slippery slope.
Brighton fans
Sarah: Predictably frustrating. Having beaten Manchester City and thrashed Chelsea, we just can't seem to beat the teams we should beat. Danny Welbeck plays better when he comes on later; he did so well last week; that was a very unfortunate header that gave Wolves their lead. I'd also give Jason Steele a chance now as he has played brilliantly in the cup games. We missed Joel Veltman, but Maxim De Cuyper seems promising. Overall, a scrappy draw; in the end, we were lucky to get that!
Phil: Wolves put in a very disciplined performance while Brighton had no discipline. The usual lack of ball control, and hence ball possession - except in the first 20 minutes, when Brighton had plenty of opportunities, but failed to create actual chances. The coaching team must take responsibility, not the players.
Lyn: Been feeling for a long time that the points we manage to steal are based on individual talent. Hard to get behind Fabian Hurzeler when I can't see how we plan to attack the opposition or how to manage pressure. I wish he would play the players in their natural positions and start with two actual full-backs. Lewis Dunk needs to be dropped and I would be giving our Greek strikers as many minutes as possible as Georginio Rutter has started the season poorly and we can't rely on Welbeck.
Joe: Lots of huff and puff with precious little to show for it. Aside from versus 10 men or League One opposition this seems to be the Brighton of here and now. The once edge-of-the-seat pizazz from a couple of seasons ago well and truly a thing of the past.
Analysis: Seagulls still far from bestpublished at 17:22 BST 5 October
17:22 BST 5 October
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton's impressive run at Molineux continues, but the Seagulls were far from their best.
It is now just one defeat in their last 12 league outings at Wolves, although they needed a late equaliser to back up last week's 3-1 win at Chelsea.
Boss Fabian Hurzeler spoke before the game about hoping to see the right mindset from his players and wanting them to take responsibility for performances.
It was not a classic display - given the Seagulls had scored 12 goals in their previous four league games at this ground - but Hurzeler would have been satisfied with the mental strength his side showed having gone a goal down.
Brighton's current playing style is perhaps not as defined as their high-tempo philosophy under predecessor Roberto de Zerbi, who built a side able to play out from the back.
Hurzeler wants control and intensity - both in and out of possession - and did not quite get that at Molineux, but the Seagulls still managed to leave with a point.
Wolves 1-1 Brighton: What Hurzeler saidpublished at 16:38 BST 5 October
16:38 BST 5 October
Media caption,
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We deserved more but it's football.
"We have to accept it and do better next time. I saw a team that had the belief and quality, the belief we can always score goals.
"The longer the game went on the harder it becomes to score.We always created dangers in their box, we didn't have plenty of chances but were always there. Overall there are lots of positives to take.
"We were very good in the first half, dominated, good in possession and out of possession. After conceding we lost our rhythm and structure.
"We wanted to react quickly but it got a bit wild. Second half we were dominant and created danger."
Did you know?
Brighton have won 30 points from losing positions under Fabian Hurzeler in the Premier League - more than any other team since the start of last season. They have only lost two of their last seven league games in which they have conceded the opening goal (W4 D1).
Since the start of the 2022-23 season, Brighton have scored more own goals in league action than any other team in Europe's big-five leagues (12). Those 12 own goals have been scored by 10 different players, with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen becoming the 10th today.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Nottingham Forest" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Wolves v Brighton", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Wolves v Brightonpublished at 10:02 BST 5 October
10:02 BST 5 October
Wolves gave it a good go against Tottenham last week and almost took all three points - maybe the effect of a new contract is kicking in for Vitor Pereira?
Being serious, they have lost their first three home league games this season and, with Sunderland and Leeds both doing better than expected, they cannot afford to lose four on the trot, so they need something here.
Brighton made the most of their numerical advantage against Chelsea last week, but it is hard to know what to expect from them off the back of that game where they were up against 10 men.
I don't feel like I am doing very well with my Brighton predictions this season - in fact I've not got any of them right so far - so I am not too confident about calling this one.
This is probably going to end up as a draw but I am still being brave so I have picked another winner. I should probably get an award for being so bold with my predictions, even when I'm wrong.
Wolves v Brighton: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 12:52 BST 4 October
12:52 BST 4 October
Wolves, who are still vying for their first Premier League win, welcome bogey team Brighton to Molineux this weekend. BBC Sport discusses some of the key talking points before Sunday's match.
"The question is, did we win one point or lose two?" said Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira after their 1-1 draw at Tottenham last Saturday. "My answer is we lost two points because the team showed that we came here to win the game, especially in the second half."
Wolves were agonisingly close to securing maximum points for the first time this season before Spurs equalised in the fourth minute of stoppage time and Pereira's side remain the only team in England's top five divisions without a league win.
But the performance was very encouraging and one player in gold certainly deserved to be on the winning side.
Winger Jhon Arias was the best player on the pitch last weekend and is starting to show why he was dubbed "The Colombian Pele" by supporters of his previous club Fluminense.
The 27-year-old, who joined for an initial £14.7m in the summer, created the most chances, had the most touches, completed the most passes and - to highlight his all-round performance - only his team-mate and defender Santiago Bueno attempted more tackles.
"I feel better with the team, with the ideas of the coach," said Arias this week. "It's a different league, so I'm still working to be better. My best version is coming."
Brighton have history on their side
Brighton will be on the road for a third successive match on Sunday and are seeking to register a hat-trick of away victories for the second time under head coach Fabian Hurzeler.
A 6-0 EFL Cup thrashing of Barnsley was followed by a 3-1 Premier League triumph at Stamford Bridge last weekend, and recent results suggests that another win is likely this weekend.
The south coast side have won four consecutive Premier League games at Wolves, a streak of away league wins which has only been bettered twice in the club's history. Brighton's best ever league run on the road also came at Molineux, with six victories between 1979 to 1991.
The Seagulls have struggled to keep shutouts in recent months and are one of just four teams this season without a top-flight clean sheet, along with Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and their opponents Wolves. In fact, they've managed just one in their last 18 Premier League games which came away at Wolves in May.
But despite history being on their side, Hurzeler is anticipating a tricky clash in the midlands.
"When you only look at the results, you might think it's easy but in every game I've seen so far from them [Wolves] they have had a chance to win it," said the 32-year-old German in his pre-match press conference. "They have played good football, have looked stable out of possession, and they don't give away a lot of chances."
Premier League set to decide on PSR alternativepublished at 06:21 BST 3 October
06:21 BST 3 October
Dan Roan Sports editor
Image source, Getty Images
A decision on whether to scrap the Premier League's controversial Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and adopt an "alternative system" is "coming up", says chief executive Richard Masters.
The current regulations, introduced in 2015-16 to prevent clubs from overspending, allow losses of £105m over a three-year reporting cycle.
However, they have been criticised by several top-flight teams for limiting their ability to invest.
BBC Sport has been told a decision on any changes is likely to be made at a meeting in November.
In February, clubs chose to continue with PSR for the current season.
However a squad cost ratio (SCR) system of financial control was adopted by the Premier League on a shadowing, non-binding basis.
SCR is similar to Uefa's existing financial rules and allows clubs to spend up to a percentage of their total revenues on squad-related costs.
Nine of the league's 20 clubs already have to comply with Uefa's SCR as a result of qualifying for Europe. Both Chelsea and Aston Villa were fined by Uefa in July for breaching the rules.
Asked about SCR at the Leaders sports conference in London, Masters said: "We are talking to our clubs about an alternative system. That's not to say we don't think the PSR system works."
He added: "It's about closer alignment with European regulation, which is squad cost ratio, which is a revenue test. In Uefa, it's now set at 70%. Our system will be 85% because we always want our clubs to have the ability to invest.
"The Premier League has been built on the back of investment in which international capital flows [are] coming in. We don't want that to be to be stifled off."
'I have quietly settled in' - De Cuyperpublished at 17:32 BST 2 October
17:32 BST 2 October
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton defender Maxim De Cuyper spoke to BBC Radio Sussex about his start to life in the the Premier League: "It is a great atmosphere here - we have a nice team and nice staff so I have quietly settled in already.
"It is a bit of a surprise [how well I've settled in], as a player you know your own qualities, but you make a move to the best league in the world so there is always going to be a question mark. The adaptation has gone quite well and we have started really well. For sure, the physicality is the biggest adaptation for me and my body, in training and games."
Ahead of Sunday's match, he spoke highly of Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare, who De Cuyper played against in his native Belgium: "A striker who is very dangerous in the box. He is about two metres [tall] so he is very good with his head. He is also good in the build up and has good feet. He is pretty fast as well so he is all-round a good striker."
Hurzeler on Veltman's injury, Minteh's form and Wolvespublished at 11:11 BST 2 October
11:11 BST 2 October
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Wolves at Molineux (14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Hurzeler confirmed his only fresh injury concern is Joel Veltman who will miss Sunday's game after picking up a "small issue" in the win over Chelsea but will be back after the international break.
Reflecting on Saturday's victory at Stamford Bridge, he said: "Every win gives you confidence and creates a good energy and atmosphere. We really should focus on out performance, how we faced adversity in the first half and how we reacted. There were a lot of positive things but of course things we have to improve."
On the Seagulls' overall start to the season: "We could have more points but in the end I always try and emphasise the process, the work ethic and how much effort is put into training. Therefore, I am quite happy with how the team are working and sticking together."
Is Danny Welbeck in his mind to start?: "He's always in my thinking. He's a great player and goalscorer. We have to make tough decisions and decisions based on the opponent, but he's always a factor in my head and will always be key for us."
On the progress of Yankuba Minteh: "He's doing the easy things right, trying to focus on the technical execution and trying to understand when he can go in one-against-one situations. He keeps getting a better understanding of how he can implement his danger into our game. On top of that it's the consistency in how he trains, takes care of his body, and how he behaves."
When asked about his side's poorer record against teams further down the table, Hurzeler said: "You can over-analyse these kind of results. Overall, we always do good against teams at the top and struggle against teams further back and we know we need to change it. We know we need to play against Wolves with the same intensity we did last week. But we also proved against lower-league teams in the FA and Carabao Cup that we are professional."
On Wolves, who are currently bottom of the Premier League: "Very difficult opponent to play. When you only look at the results, you might think it's easy but in every game I've seen so far from them they have had a chance to win it. They have played good football, have looked stable out of possession, and they don't give away a lot of chances. They have a good style of play and it is not easy to defend the box against them."
Hurzeler to Man Utd would be a 'big risk'published at 12:03 BST 1 October
12:03 BST 1 October
Image source, Getty Images
Former Brighton striker Warren Aspinall believes Fabian Hurzeler is too young for the manager role at Manchester United amid reports of interest from the Red Devils.
The latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast discussed two of the rumours circling the Seagulls this week.
On Hurzeler to United Aspinall said: "I think the press are just putting two and two together and getting five at the moment.
"Hurzeler is still young, he's 33 years of age, he hasn't got much experience and for a team like Manchester United, it would be a big risk to take a manager who's had one season in the German Bundesliga 2 and a couple of seasons in the Premier League.
"The next one for United they have to get right because they're having a shocker."
Former Arsenal right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu has also been linked with a move to Brighton and Aspinall thinks Albion could use the depth, stating: "When you ask Ferdi Kadioglu where he wants to play, he'll probably say midfield. He's come in to play in midfield but he's filling in at right-back and he's doing a great job. Joel Veltman, another year older, but he has been excellent.
"Tomiyasu is a free agent and if somebody comes along like that it's worth considering."
A new episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast is now available on BBC Sounds.
The team discuss Brighton's 3-1 victory over Chelsea last weekend including the post-match thoughts of Danny Welbeck, before previewing the trip to Wolves on Saturday. Author Dave Atherall also joins the pod to chat about his Albion-based novel.
Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up
Brighton expectation 'the heights of Europe' but 'perspective vital'published at 12:28 BST 30 September
12:28 BST 30 September
Joe Sayers Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
The ability to step back and reflect is important in any aspect of life - and it is something I often find myself doing with football and the journey Brighton has embarked on.
The story of this club is the greatest underdog story you could ever write and, while I try to look forwards as much as I can, it is really important for me to realise just how far we have come.
I'm a relatively new fan in the grand scheme of things. The first season I really remember getting into was our League One triumph in our last season at Withdean Stadium.
I've been lucky that, bar a few hiccups, the only thing I've known is an upwards trajectory.
As I grew older, I felt it was my duty to know the history of this club. I remember so many lengthy conversations with my family, all of whom witnessed the dark days of our club being sold into the ground.
I often hear that we can't look back on the darker days while we aim to break the mould in the top half of the Premier League, but it is so important to always remember the DNA of this club - the never-say-die attitude that meant we still have a club to support.
Now this doesn't by any stretch mean that we're not allowed to be negative when we lose or that we can't criticise when things go slightly awry. We all want this club to be striving for the heavy heights of Europe every season, but perspective is absolutely vital.
I'm so proud to watch our club stand up and fight against the giants of English football, often beating them against all odds. I'm so grateful to those who battled until the rotten foundations eroded and built this club back up brick by brick.
So here's to you, Brighton & Hove Albion, through the hard times and the good times.
Chelsea 1-3 Brighton - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:15 BST 29 September
08:15 BST 29 September
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
Here are some of your comments:
Chelsea fans
Fossie: What a rotten performance. They totally lost the narrative in the second half. If you can't keep 11 players on the pitch, you don't deserve to win. The players losing their heads does not help anything. Maresca really needs to shake this lot up. Two weeks in a row is awful.
Femi: No disrespect to Maresca but I think he is a mediocre coach. Imagine having expensive players at your disposal yet not knowing how to tidy up your defence and conceding a lot of goals to individual errors. He also hasn't instilled discipline into his players, who can't stop picking up red cards. Chelsea should go for a more experienced coach.
Jason: Maresca's in-game tactics are poor. He takes off pace and creativity, and it doesn't work. It's too early to start talking about sacking him, but he needs to improve or the axe will be hovering!
John: No decent transfer policy at Chelsea, no decent goalkeepers, no decent central defenders and a very inexperienced manager. We could be easily relegated!
Brighton fans
Sarah: The first half was a bit lacklustre but I'm so happy for Welbeck - he really needed that and so did we. Dunk played well too. What's going on with Simon Hooper? He missed the obvious red for Chalobah and the clear penalty for the kick to Minteh's head. You could see the contact, so how VAR ruled no contact is a mystery. It should've been 4-1 but we will take the win.
Pedro: We played as a team and, as so often happens, we were at our best in the final third. Welbeck must be wary of earning the title of 'super sub' because that's exactly what he was in this match.
Tim: A great result that shows Hurzeler can make a difference with his substitutions. The referee seemed like he was Chelsea's 12th man but we still managed to assert ourselves in the end.
Chris: It feels like Brighton have turned a corner this week. The atmosphere was electric in the away end of Stamford Bridge. I've now seen nine goals during two away games in just four days. Up the Albion!
Image source, Getty Images
