Sutton's predictions: Brighton v Wolvespublished at 11:03 26 October 2024
11:03 26 October 2024
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.
For week nine he takes on rapper Nemzzz, who supports Manchester United.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
I disagreed with Wolves boss Gary O'Neil because I thought it was correct not to disallow Manchester City's last-gasp winner last weekend.
O'Neil was clutching at straws to compare it to the goal Max Kilman had ruled out against West Ham last season because, unlike Bernardo Silva for City, in that incident Tawanda Chirewa was offside and directly in the goalkeeper’s way.
I felt for O'Neil because Wolves played really well, although in the end I was only four goals out with my prediction of a 6-1 City win.
This is another tough game for them, against a Brighton side who got a really good win at Newcastle last week.
So can Wolves drag themselves up again after giving so much and coming close to getting a point against the champions?
I am really tempted to go for them to get a draw but, although they deserved to get more than one point from their first eight games, they have been inconsistent.
Wolves have definitely got a goal in them, but I am going with Brighton to take the points.
Nemzzz's prediction: 1-1
Brighton are flying but I don't think Wolves are as bad as the league table suggests.
Earlier, we asked you to identify the former Brighton player from their Premier League statistics playing for the club.
The correct answer was Adam Lallana.
'Trying to enjoy every moment' - Ayaripublished at 16:10 25 October 2024
16:10 25 October 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari is pleased with the progress he has made this season and about being able to contribute to his team's excellent start.
The Sweden international joined the Seagulls in January 2023 and spent last season on loan in the Championship, first with Coventry and later with Blackburn.
So far in 2024-25, the 21-year-old has featured in six of Brighton's eight Premier League games and helped Fabian Hurzeler's side climb to fifth in the table.
"I'm trying to enjoy every moment and trying to work hard to be a better player every day," he told BBC Radio Sussex before Saturday's game against bottom club Wolves.
"We go into every game to try to win it. We have two wins in a row and we want to make it three. Now is a good chance to show everybody what we can do.
"I don't know what [other] people think, but here, we are convinced that we have a good team, a good coach and I think we can do good things this season."
'Brighton away is one of the hardest fixtures in the Premier League'published at 11:48 25 October 2024
11:48 25 October 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Former Wolves striker Don Goodman says that facing Brighton at Amex Stadium is "one of the hardest fixtures in the Premier League".
The Molineux side visit on Saturday having fallen to a stoppage-time defeat at home to champions Manchester City last weekend. Goodman believes that the side will approach their contest with Brighton on Saturday in the same manner.
Speaking on this week's Albion Unlimited podcast Goodman explained: "Coming away to Brighton is up there with one of the hardest fixtures in the Premier League. And Wolves will probably have to approach it in a not too disimilar way to last week [v Manchester City]. I expect them to come to the Amex and try to be solid, hard to break down because they have conceded 23 league goals after just eight games so far this season."
So what has Goodman made of the Seagulls so far this season?
"I have been really impressed, You are a threat, there is no doubt about it, with 14 goals in eight league games so far.
"The main disappointments will be the draws at home against Ipswich and Forest, so you could potentially have had even more points. But from what I have seen Brighton are in a good place."
Today's trivia challengepublished at 08:53 25 October 2024
08:53 25 October 2024
Guess the former Brighton player from their Premier League statistics at the club:
Years at club: 2020-2024
National team: England
Position: Midfielder
Appearances: 95
Goals: 3
Answer will be revealed at 17:00 BST
Zamora takes up striker consultant rolepublished at 18:12 24 October 2024
18:12 24 October 2024
Image source, Brighton & Hove Albion
Former Brighton forward Bobby Zamora is looking forward to helping "strikers to achieve their goals" after taking up a new role as striker consultant.
The 43-year-old is currently in his third spell with the Seagulls as a club ambassador, having had two on the south coast as a player.
He will now combine his ambassadorial role with helping develop Brighton's attacking players as part of boss Fabian Hurzeler's backroom staff.
"I’m pleased to be back to help the club and the strikers to achieve their goals, working on all the elements of football on and off the pitch," said Zamora.
"It's a great environment to be involved in and hopefully I can play a part in helping the club achieve further success."
Having initially joined Albion on loan in February 2000, Zamora went on to play 108 games across two spells, scoring 51 goals.
Technical director David Weir added: "Bobby clearly has a wealth of knowledge and experience from an exceptional career in the game, and he is working to help our attacking players across two sessions each week.
"Brighton fans need no introduction to Bobby; they know just how clinical he was as a player and about his ability in the penalty box We feel he can help our attacking players in that regard."
How 'soon' is 'soon'?published at 15:23 24 October 2024
15:23 24 October 2024
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Fabian Hurzeler is very much one of the new breed of managers who gives as little away on the injury front as possible.
The Brighton boss has refused to put a date on Joao Pedro's likely return after an ankle problem but has said it will be "soon".
That is such a subjective word, it could mean anything, but on balance, it has to be taken as good news.
The 23-year-old has only played four times this season and has scored two goals.
With Brighton fifth in the table, it is tempting to wonder where they might have been if their £30m forward had been fit.
More to the point, with back-to-back games against Liverpool to come after this weekend's encounter with Wolves, and then a meeting with Manchester City, it is Joao Pedro's presence for what is to come that is more important.
Brighton fans will hope in Huzerler's world, "soon" means just a few more days.
'Welbeck doesn't get carried away with the nonsense' - Potterpublished at 14:03 24 October 2024
14:03 24 October 2024
Brighton centre-forward Danny Welbeck has started the 2024-25 season in fine form, scoring five goals and registering one assist in eight Premier League appearances so far this term.
The 33-year-old arrived at Amex Stadium in October 2020 on a free transfer, after agreeing a one-year contract with the club to work under former Seagulls manager Graham Potter.
Speaking on BBC Sounds' Planet Premier League podcast, Potter praised the "role model" goalscorer, stating: "If you get Danny Welbeck fit and enjoying his football, the quality is still there.
"He is a top player and a top person. Credit to the club - they didn't just recognise that it is about signing young players, it is also about understanding what older players can do for the environment and for the collective.
"Somebody like Danny is a role model. He can teach you how to act, how to be, how to condition yourself and how to interact with your team-mates at the highest level.
"I'm delighted for him that he is doing what he is doing. I think he is contributing with goals, he is intelligent, he can drop in and he can threaten the backline.
“If you see what Danny has had to go through, I think he is also a resilient character. He is a good human being, so he doesn't get carried away too much with the nonsense of football.
"To have someone [in your squad] that has been there and done it, and can just handle it well, I think is priceless as a coach.
"We talk about tactics such as half spaces and all this stuff, which is of course really important, but there is a human side to the game as well - having players like him is just so valuable."
Dunk 'sees this place as a family' - Hurzelerpublished at 11:49 24 October 2024
11:49 24 October 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says Lewis Dunk "really identifies himself by the values of the club" so he is "very happy" to have the defender as his captain.
Dunk, who was part of the club's youth system, is expected to make his 250th Premier League appearance against Wolves on Saturday, having been part of the Seagulls' rise from League One.
"He is so experienced and he sees this place as a family," said Hurzeler. "He wants to chill with the kit man and chef and spend time here. He really identifies himself by the values of the club.
"He is my captain and one of my most important players.
"He knows the club and their history and values. He has all the knowledge, which is good when I am new here. I can learn a lot from him.
"Being my captain is about having trust to exchange opinions. It doesn't come overnight. It is like a relationship with a girl - it doesn't come on a first or second date, but with time it does. It comes by making memories and earning respect.
"I am very happy that he is my captain."
Hurzeler on Welbeck, Dunk's landmark game and Ferguson's returnpublished at 10:27 24 October 2024
10:27 24 October 2024
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
He confirmed Danny Welbeck hit a nerve in his back against Newcastle and it "was very painful and still is" for the striker. Hurzeler added "it is still too early" to confirm whether he is available and he will train today before a decision is made.
More on Welbeck: "Our medical team and physios are working every hour with him to make him fit for the game. Hopefully everything will be good."
He said he "will not take any risks" at this point of the season with bringing injured players back quickly, but Solly March has returned to training, Joao Pedro is close and winger Yankuba Minteh, who has "a small muscle injury," is being assessed "day by day".
Adam Webster is expected to be out for another two to three weeks but Hurzeler said his "injury is not as bad as we expected it to be".
On opponents Wolves, who are bottom of the league: "They play well and in every game they have had the chance to win or draw. We won't underestimate them because they have quality and they defend very compactly."
He said learning to defend together "takes time" as "you can’t change the players' mindsets overnight," but he is happy with the steps the team are taking.
On Lewis Dunk, who could make his 250th Premier League appearance: "He is so experienced and he sees this place as a family, so he wants to chill with the kit man and chef. He really identifies himself by the values of the club. He is my captain and one of my most important players."
He said Evan Ferguson "is in great shape mentally and physically" and he was impressed with "the way he worked for the team". Hurzeler added: "Now it’s up to us to help him get his confidence back after such a long injury and then I am sure he will be even better."
'A big step for us as a team to hang on in tough moments'published at 08:10 24 October 2024
08:10 24 October 2024
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen joined this week's Albion Unlimited podcast to discuss the side's 1-0 victory at Newcastle on Saturday:
"[St James' Park] is one of the toughest places to go in England. We knew that we had to fight and to work hard and everybody did that. If you work this hard then you deserve a result."
On grinding out the win: "It is a big step for us as a team that we can both dominate possession and dominate a game, but also at times hang on in tough moments and not give the momentum to the opponent."
On goalscorer Danny Welbeck: "He is brilliant. He is so important for us. He was the matchwinner again. Hopefully the injury is not too bad. He's a top guy. We all love him being around us, on the pitch and in the dressing room, so hopefully he is back soon."
On his own performance: "It is always nice to be important for the team. When you can do that with some saves to keep the clean sheet, it is a brilliant feeling."
On building momentum with recent results: "We showed in the second half against Tottenham what we are capable of and that has to be the benchmark now. In terms of work, intensity and spirit, it has to be like that and we showed it again. It is something we can improve even more and hopefully we can build on it in the next few games."
On substitutes making an impact: "You have to deliver when you get called upon. The guys that came in gave us exactly what we needed from them: fresh legs, a big fight and some control in the game. I think that shows the strength and depth of our squad this season."
Gossip: Seagulls target 20-year-old goalkeeper Zychpublished at 07:58 24 October 2024
'When fit, he has been a genius signing'published at 11:09 23 October 2024
11:09 23 October 2024
Image source, Getty Images
On this week's episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, former Brighton captain Adam Virgo praised "genius signing" Danny Welbeck, after his goal was enough to win at Newcastle on Saturday.
"Danny Welbeck wasn't the typical kind of signing that Brighton would be making [at the time]," Virgo said. "Those kind of players that are at the wrong end of their careers in terms of hitting 30 years old [and with] the injuries that he has behind him.
"I always felt he was a very good addition, but could [Brighton] keep him fit?"
"He's had periods when he's played and then picked up the odd injury and been in and out of the team. But when he is fit, it has been a genius signing."
Welbeck has five goals in eight Premier League games this season but left the St James' Park pitch on a stretcher after hurting his back. He is a doubt for Saturday's home game with Wolves.
"If he could just stay fit for a sustained period of time, then his career could have been very different," Virgo added. "He has not been an out-and-out goalscorer but even as a centre forward, what he does with the ball and how he brings other players into play, the unselfishness of his centre-forward play is really important."
🎧Welbeck for England?published at 07:22 23 October 2024
07:22 23 October 2024
The latest episode of the Albion Unlimited podcast has landed.
Johnny Cantor is joined by former Seagulls players Adam Virgo and Warren Aspinall to discuss Danny Welbeck's excellent start to the season, and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Former Wolves striker Don Goodman joins the podcast to preview Saturday's game between the two clubs.
The 'sign of a quality manager'published at 12:30 22 October 2024
12:30 22 October 2024
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
After Cole Palmer scored four times in 45 minutes against Brighton three weeks ago, Fabian Hurzeler said he would learn and adapt from the experience.
Hurzeler and the Albion showed a huge amount of naivety in going to Stamford Bridge and thinking a high defensive line was a good idea against Chelsea’s rapid front four.
However wise Hurzeler’s words were, the proof of the pudding was only ever going to be in the eating. And the pudding at Newcastle on Saturday turned out to be the finest prinzregententorte (look it up) from Hurzeler’s home state of Bavaria.
The Brighton boss did indeed learn and adapt. The high line was gone, Hurzeler having realised there are places in the Premier League where such tactics are suicidal. Chelsea is one. Newcastle another.
He switched from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 with the midfield four consisting of central players and no out-and-out wingers. Brighton defended resolutely in two banks of four, challenging the Toon to find a way through. At the other end, Danny Welbeck in current form meant the Albion always had a chance of scoring themselves to nick a 1-0.
And it worked to perfection. It is hard to keep track of how many times over the past few seasons a visiting team have come to the Amex, sat back with a well organised defence and inspired goalkeeper and left with something.
It felt rather good for the boot to be on the other foot. And it highlights the contrast between Hurzeler and Roberto de Zerbi, for whom a Plan B was a bigger insult than pineapple on a pizza – most notably when injury-hit Albion went to Roma, refused to modify their approach and were thrashed 4-0.
Hurzeler’s willingness to adapt meant Brighton became only the second team after Manchester City in 2024 to leave St James’ Park with three points.
Photos of the weekpublished at 21:51 21 October 2024
21:51 21 October 2024
Football is full of highs.
Image source, Getty Images
And lows.
Image source, Getty Images
Controversy takes hold.
Image source, Getty Images
Moments of madness do too.
Image source, Getty Images
Players become unexpected heroes.
Image source, Getty Images
Some never change.
Image source, Getty Images
There's pain.
Image source, Getty Images
Joy too.
Image source, Getty Images
And, given this ebb and flow of emotion, every so often, even the coolest heads boil over.
Image source, Getty Images
'The appointment of Hurzeler already looks a superb decision'published at 14:50 21 October 2024
14:50 21 October 2024
Image source, Getty Images
A Brighton-related question was put to BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.
Ben asked: Phil, what do you make of Brighton’s start to the season under Fabian Hurzeler and do you believe Europe is realistic once again? Continuing to get decent results against the 'bigger clubs' but struggle when they should win.
Phil answered: In a word, Ben, excellent. I’m a big Brighton fan – not as in you will see me down at The Amex waving a blue and white scarf – but of the way they do things and the way they play.
They have so many different facets to their character as well. They can dig deep and turn on all-out attack as they did to come from 2-0 down to beat Spurs, then they can go to Newcastle, ride their luck a bit let’s be honest, then come away with a classic gritty 1-0 away win.
And the appointment of Hurzeler already looks a superb decision. It was left-field to go for such a young coach - no matter how promising he was in getting St. Pauli into the Bundesliga - with no Premier League experience, but it looks like Brighton have got it right again.